TV
Former Odisha Chief Secretary and renowned Jagannath culture researcher Dr. Subas Pani breathed his last on Monday. The mortal remains of Dr. Pani were cremated at Satya Nagar crematorium in Bhubaneswar.
Dr. Pani passed away at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the sad demise of Subas Pani, calling it an irreparable loss to the State’s cultural and administrative spheres.
Taking to his personal X handle, the CM stated, “Deeply saddened and shocked to hear about the sad demise of former Chief Secretary of Odisha Government and prominent Jagannath culture researcher and writer Subas Pani. His demise is an irreparable loss for all of us. I express my condolences to the bereaved family and pray to Lord Jagannath for the peace of the departed soul. Om Shanti.”
A scholar, commentator, and prolific writer, Pani was best known for his in-depth academic work on Jayadev’s ‘Gita Govinda’. The former bureaucrat also held a key position in the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Subas Pani earned his PhD with a focus on the classical Sanskrit text Gita Govinda, an iconic devotional work by poet Jayadev. His contributions as a commentator and researcher on Jagannath culture enriched the cultural and intellectual legacy of Odisha.
Apart from his scholarly achievements, Pani served as Deputy Election Commissioner at the ECI. His tenure in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) was marked by efficiency, insight, and cultural sensitivity.
Dr. Subas Pani, a 1972-batch IAS officer, carved an exceptional path in public service, serving both the State and Central governments in a range of high-impact roles. Over the course of his career, he also held pivotal positions, including Secretary of Rural Development and Land Resources, and Secretary in the Planning Commission.
The former bureaucrat’s wide-ranging expertise spanned governance systems, IT, industrial development, infrastructure, trade promotion, and electoral strategy.
A visionary administrator, Dr. Pani was a driving force behind the establishment of the Software Technology Park in Bhubaneswar. He also played a crucial role in the successful conduct of three national general elections—in 1996, 1998, and 1999.
