Ghananand Pande
Dr. Ghananand Pande | |
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| Born | 1 January 1902 |
| Education | B.E. in Civil Engineering |
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Ghananand Pande (1 January 1902 – c. 1995)[1] was an Indian engineer. He served at key positions in the Government of India and contributed to engineering education reforms in India. He was honored with the second highest civilian award of India, the Padma Vibhushan in 1969.[2]
Early life and career
[edit]Pande was born in Ranikhet, a small town in Almora district in present-day state of Uttarakhand. Pande completed his primary and secondary schooling in Almora and Nainital.[3] Pande pursued higher education at Allahabad University, where he earned his undergraduate degree with first-division honors in 1922.[3] He subsequently obtained a B.E. in Civil Engineering from Thomson College of Civil Engineering, now known as IIT Roorkee, in 1925.
Pande started his professional career as an engineer in Indian Railways and worked in various engineering capacities until 1947.[2] He was instrumental in several key projects, including his tenure as the General Manager in North Eastern Railway from 1950 to 1952, and as General Manager overseeing the Ganga Bridge Project at Mokama. He retired as the chairman of the Railway Board and secretary, Ministry of Railways, in the Government of India after serving the post for three years in 1957. From 1958 to 1960, he was chairman of the Steel Board and from 1961–1966, vice-chancellor of Roorkee University. Between 1966 and 1973 he worked in various senior positions in the Government of India.[4]
Following his retirement from the Railway Board, Pande continued to hold prominent roles in India's industrial and educational spheres. From 1957 to 1960, he served as first the chairman of Hindustan Steel,[5] overseeing the establishment of three major public sector steel plants in Bhilai, Rourkela, and Durgapur. He conceptualized the Baby Car project in 1960–61, advocating for small car manufacturing in India.[3] He later transitioned to academia, serving as the vice-chancellor of Roorkee University (now IIT Roorkee) from 1961 to 1966, during which he founded the Institution of Engineers at the university.[6] He left the position voluntarily.[5]
Recognition
[edit]He was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering by Roorkee University, and Doctor of Science by Kumaon University in recognition of his impact on engineering education.[2] He was also awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1969 in Civil Service for his contributions to India's civil service and infrastructure development. He was nominated from state Uttar Pradesh.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Pāṇḍe, Ghanānanda; Sobana Siṃha Jīnā; Maheshwar P. Joshi; Lalita Prabhā Jośī (1995). Uttaranchal Himalaya: anthropology, archaeology, art, botany, economics, geography, geology, history, and sociology. Shree Almora Book Depot. pp. xii. ISBN 8185865280.
- ^ a b c "Ghananad Pandey". Archived from the original on 27 September 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
- ^ a b c DESK, WEB (1 January 2023). "उत्तराखंड की महान विभूतियां : डॉ. घनानंद पाण्डे जिन्हें 1969 में मिला पद्म विभूषण सम्मान". Panchjanya (in Hindi). Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "Luminaries of IIT Roorkee". IIT Roorkee. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
- ^ a b SINGH, JAGJIT. Some Eminent Indian Scientists. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN 978-81-230-2318-2.
- ^ "The Institution of Engineers (India), Roorkee Local Centre, Home Page". Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
- ^ "Padma Award from Uttarakhand". Apna Uttarakhand. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
