Bhubaneswar, Aug 18 (IANS): The Odisha assembly on Tuesday paid rich tributes to former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and former chief minister Janaki Ballabh Patnaik among others on the first day of the monsoon session.

The house adjourned till Wednesday after paying tributes to the departed souls.

As soon as the house assembled, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik moved the condolence motion. The house then observed a minute's silence.

"Kalam was the pride and prestige of the country, a dedicated scientist and an able administrator. His contribution to the nation will always be remembered," said assembly Speaker Niranjan Pujari.

The House also condoled the deaths of former ministers Sriballav Panigrahi, Ananda Acharya, Kalpataru Das, Karitka Mohapatra and former MLAs Parsuram Panigrahi, Sarat Paikray and Premalata Mohapatra.

The chief minister said the deaths of the ex-president, former chief minister and ex-members of the house were an irreparable loss to the nation.

Leader of the opposition, Narasingha Mishra, and BJP legislature party leader Basant Panda also condoled the demise of Kalam and other leaders.