Bhubaneswar: It was an emotional day at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar as its doctors, faculty members, students and staff came together to bid farewell to their beloved Founder Director, Prof. (Dr) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra.
One of India’s most acclaimed neurosurgeons, Dr Mahapatra passed away on Monday night while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Delhi.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director Dr Ashutosh Biswas paid heartfelt tributes to the departed soul at a condolence meeting organised at the main auditorium of the institute here on Tuesday.
Describing Dr Mahapatra as the chief architect of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Dr Biswas said that he 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, recalled Dr Biswas.
He said Dr Mahapatra’s remarkable contribution to neurosurgery, medical education and healthcare delivery, along with his dedication to mentoring future generations of medical professionals, will continue to inspire the medical fraternity.
Dr Mahapatra’s extraordinary journey, defined by enduring commitment to patient care, education and research, was glowingly recalled by other speakers.
Dr Mahapatra’s humility, compassion, mentorship and humane values touching countless lives also came to the fore.
Among those who attended the condolence meeting were Dean (Academic) Dr Dillip Kumar Parida, Medical Superintendent Dr Prabhas Ranjan Tripathy, Dean (Examination) Dr Manaswini Mangaraj, DDA Lt Col Abhijit Sarkar, heads of departments, senior faculty members, officials and students.
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.
SOA pays tribute
Glowing tributes were paid to Prof. (Dr) Mahapatra at the SOA Deemed to be University.
Dr Mahapatra served as Vice-Chancellor of SOA for two years (2020 to 2022), and was guiding the deemed to be university as its Principal Advisor (Health Sciences) thereafter.
Current SOA VC Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda recalled the eminent neurosurgeon’s association with the institute and his contribution to the field of medical science.
Prof. Damodar Acharya, Chairman of the International Advisory Board of SOA, Prof. (Dr) Neeta Mohanty, Prof. (Dr) Prasenjit Mohanty, Prof. Prasanta Kumar Patra, Prof. Anup Kumar Samantaray, all Pro-Vice Chancellors, Prof. Bibhuti Bhushn Pradhan, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Registrar, Prof. Manjula Das, Controller of Examination, Deans, Directors, faculty members, senior functionaries and staff members attended the condolence meeting.
SUM Hospital holds condolence meeting
A condolence meeting was also held at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, with which Prof. (Dr) Mahapatra was associated after his retirement.
Doctors and other staff of the hospital recalled their association with the neurosurgeon who always strove to strengthen quality of healthcare in the hospital.
Prof. (Dr) Sanghamitra Mishra, Dean of IMS and SUM Hospital and Medical Superintendent Prof. (Dr) Pusparaj Samantasinghar led the tributes and condolences.