Bhubaneswar: Noted journalist and columnist Ranjit Guru passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneshwar following a brief illness, family sources said on Sunday. He was 61 and is survived by a wife and a daughter. Guru, who was admitted to a private hospital in Bhubaneshwar a few days ago, breathed his last in the early hours at around 12.30 am, they said.

A host of dignitaries including Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have condoled the demise of Guru. Senior BJP leaders including leader of opposition in Odisha Assembly Pradipta Naik and party's state unit president and MP Basant Panda have also condoled Guru's demise.