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Remembering The Popular Administrator, Priyabrata Patnaik





Remembering The Popular Administrator, Priyabrata Patnaik

Former senior IAS officer Priyabrata Patnaik passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mumbai on Monday. He was 67. The 1976-batch IAS officer was battling against cancer. Earlier he was admitted to Bhubaneswar  Apollo hospital. But his condition didn’t improve and he was shifted to Mumbai where he was undergoing treatment for the last 40 days.

Patnaik had served the state in various posts. He has worked in various districts as Collector. He also served in the rank of the Chief Secretary of the state. Patnaik played an important role in bringing an industrial revolution in the state while serving as the CMD of Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO. He was also the president of Odisha Judo Association and president of Bhubaneswar Club.

In fact, post-retirement, he was actively involved in Bhubaneswar Club. Ashok Chinchela, Secretary, Bhubaneswar Club, shared, “He was a renowned  IAS officer who has worked for the development of the state. A strong and dedicated person, he had been working for the development of Bhubaneswar Club after his retirement. Under his supervision, the construction of the new club building had been going on. Even during COVID-19  pandemic. he was monitoring everything and had conducted several meetings for the completion of the work.”

“I had a long association with him for almost 35 years, and it is a personal loss for me,” he added.

Similarly remembering Patnaik, senior advocate Laxmidhar Pangari, who was associated with Patnaik for 35 years told MCL, “Priyabrata Patnaik was a highly competent IAS officer who was known for taking quick decisions. As a collector of Dhenkanal,  Balasore and Cuttack, he was associated with some of the important projects of the state. NALCO and Chandipur Test Range wouldn’t have been a reality without him. He was an officer who used to hear the grievances of people. As CMD of IDCO, he was instrumental in signing MoUs with more than 60 companies to set industries in Odisha.”

He further added, “He had a keen interest in sports as well. Patnaik had organised International Judo Championships and International Billiards Championships in Odisha. He was also the president of the tennis association.”

Meanwhile, the members of the IAS Association of Odisha have also expressed their grief over the demise of Priyabrata Patnaik (IAS Retd.). In a statement issued by the Secretary Vishal Dev, they have recalled Priyabrata Patnaik as a dynamic, courageous, decisive and a warm-hearted officer who earned praise and affection from all juniors and seniors alike. The Association has offered its deepest condolences to the members of his bereaved family and prays to the almighty for peace to the departed soul.

Several eminent personalities took to twitter to convey their grievances on the demise of the IAS officer.

Late Priyabrata Patnaik was a good and a dyanamic bureaucrat. He was very cooperative, positive, kind and loved by one and all.

— Achyuta Samanta (@achyuta_samanta) July 21, 2020

Extremely Sad to know about demise of Priyabrata Patnaik, a dear friend of 45 years. An extremely competent & helpful bureaucrat who lived life on his terms. Condolences to bereaved family. Will miss your charismatic style. Om Shanti.

— Dr Ansuman Das (@ansumandas202) July 21, 2020

Deepest condolences on the passing away of administrator and Odisha cadre IAS officer Shri Priyabrata Patnaik. May the Almighty be with his family at these difficult times. pic.twitter.com/u6dl6HeXB0

— Lekha Samantsinghar (@DrLekhaShree) July 21, 2020

Deepest condolences to the bereaved family and many friends of Priyabrata Patnaik (Tullu bhai). Om Shanti ????????

— Subhrakant Panda (@subhrakantpanda) July 21, 2020

Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of Former IAS Officer Priyabrata Patnaik ji. My deepest condolences to his family. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath grant peace to the departed soul.

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 21, 2020

Saddened to hear about the demise of former bureaucrat of #Odisha Shri Priyabrata Patnaik after a prolonged illness.

My heartfelt condolences and prayers for the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.

— Ranendra Pratap Swain (@rajaaswain) July 21, 2020

Author: Monalisa patsani

Being into journalism since 2012, Monalisa loves listening to people and narrate their stories. She has been exploring different genres of journalism, but writing about the environment, places and people suits her interest.

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