THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 3, 2026
An emotional atmosphere enveloped AIIMS Bhubaneswar as the institution's
doctors, faculty members, students and staff gathered on Tuesday to pay their
last respects to its Founder Director, Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, an
eminent neurosurgeon, visionary institution-builder and Padma Shri awardee.
At a special condolence meeting organised at the institute's Main
Auditorium, Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas led the tributes, describing
Prof. Mahapatra as the chief architect of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, whose vision,
dedication and exemplary leadership laid the foundation for the institute's
emergence as a premier centre of healthcare, medical education and research.
Recalling his monumental contribution, Dr. Biswas said Prof. Mahapatra
played a pivotal role in conceptualising, establishing and nurturing the
institution. His foresight, commitment to public healthcare and determination
to build an institution of national importance had shaped its vision, values
and future trajectory, he said.
He further highlighted the late academician's outstanding contributions
to neurosurgery, medical education and healthcare delivery, adding that his
commitment to mentoring young medical professionals would continue to inspire
generations of doctors and healthcare workers.
The condolence meeting was attended by a large gathering of faculty
members, officers, staff, students and resident doctors. Dean (Academic) Dr.
Dillip Kumar Parida, Medical Superintendent Dr. Prabhas Ranjan Tripathy, Dean
(Examination) Dr. Manaswini Mangaraj and Deputy Director (Administration) Lt.
Col. Abhijit Sarkar, besides heads of departments, senior faculty members and
other officials, joined in paying homage to the departed visionary.
Speakers remembered Prof. Mahapatra not only for his professional
accomplishments and pioneering role in building AIIMS Bhubaneswar but also for
his humility, compassion, humane approach and unwavering commitment to patient
care. His mentorship and personal warmth had touched countless lives, they
recalled.
The gathering turned into an occasion of profound remembrance, as members of the AIIMS family reflected on his extraordinary journey and the enduring institution he had helped create. His contribution, they said, went far beyond establishing a premier medical institute, as he had also inspired a culture of excellence, service and dedication to humanity.
As AIIMS Bhubaneswar bid farewell to its founding father, the institution stood united in grief and gratitude, remembering a visionary whose dreams, values and legacy would continue to guide the institute and inspire generations to come.
