Ranchi, 30,Sep-Rajya Sabha member and educationist Ramdayal Munda today died of cancer at Appolo hospital in Ranchi. Munda,. He was 72. He left behind his wife and one son. “He was suffering from cancer for some time. He was born in 1939 at Diuri village at Tamar, about 60 km from Ranchi. A Padmashri recipient, Munda completed his education from Ranchi University in 1957 and became the vice-chancellor of the same University in 1986/87. After completing MA (Anthropology), Munda did his PHD from University of Chicago. A visiting professor to several universities in the country and abroad, Munda got fellowships from American Institute of Indian Studies, USA Education Foundation in India and Japan Foundation in Tokyo. An author of several books, his famous book was Adigranta of Tribals.In 2007 ,he received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. He was a member in the Bhuria Committee which recommended the Panchayati Extension to Schedule Areas. He had been the president of Jharkhand Vikas Dal of Suraj Mandal, till Mandal rejoined Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s a couple of years ago. Later, Munda joined the Congress and became a member in its working committee. He was also a member of the National Advisory Council..