By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:An atmosphere of profound grief and emotion engulfed AIIMS Bhubaneswar as its doctors, faculty members, students and staff gathered to bid a tearful farewell to their beloved Founder Director, Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, an eminent neurosurgeon, visionary institution-builder and recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri.
At a special condolence meeting organised at the Main Auditorium of the Institute, Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas paid heartfelt tributes to the departed visionary, describing him as the chief architect of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Dr. Biswas said that Prof. Mahapatra played a pivotal role in conceptualising, establishing and nurturing the institution, laying the foundation for its growth as a premier centre of excellence in healthcare, medical education and research. His exemplary leadership, foresight and unwavering commitment to public healthcare shaped the institution’s vision and values.
He further said that Dr. Mahapatra’s remarkable contributions to neurosurgery, medical education and healthcare delivery, along with his dedication to mentoring future generations of medical professionals, would continue to inspire the medical fraternity.
The condolence meeting was attended by faculty members, officers, staff, students and residents of AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Among others, Dean (Academic) Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida, Medical Superintendent Dr. Prabhas Ranjan Tripathy, Dean (Examination) Dr. Manaswini Mangaraj and DDA Lt. Col. Abhijit Sarkar, along with heads of departments, senior faculty members, officials and students, paid their heartfelt tributes to the departed leader.
In a deeply moving atmosphere, members gathered to remember his extraordinary journey, pioneering contributions and enduring commitment to patient care, education and research. Speakers fondly recalled not only his professional excellence and visionary leadership but also his humility, compassion, mentorship and humane values, which touched countless lives.
As the AIIMS Bhubaneswar family bid farewell to its founding father, the gathering stood united in grief and gratitude, remembering a visionary whose dream, dedication and institution-building legacy will remain deeply etched in the hearts of generations to come.
