Bhubaneswar, 04 November (H.S.): An atmosphere of profound grief enveloped the AIIMS Bhubaneswar campus on Wednesday as the mortal remains of its founder director, Professor (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, were brought to the institute for his final darshan. Doctors, faculty members, officials, employees, resident doctors and students gathered to pay their last respects to the visionary medical educationist who played a pivotal role in establishing and shaping the premier national healthcare institution.

The campus echoed with emotional slogans of “Amar Rahe Ashok Mahapatra” as members of the AIIMS family bid a tearful farewell to the person who had transformed the institution from its formative stage into a nationally recognised centre of medical education and healthcare.

The arrival of his mortal remains brought an overwhelming sense of loss among those who had worked with him and witnessed his contribution to the growth of the institution. Members of the AIIMS fraternity paid floral tributes and expressed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Dean (Academics) Dr. Dilip Kumar Parida, Medical Superintendent Dr. Prabhas Ranjan Tripathy, Dean (Examinations) Dr. Manaswini Mangaraj and Deputy Director (Administration) Lt. Col. Abhijit Sarkar were among those who paid their respects.

Heads of various departments, senior faculty members, doctors, administrative officials, employees and students also joined the gathering to honour the departed founder director.

Recalling Prof. Mahapatra's invaluable contribution to the establishment and development of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas said his vision, leadership and enduring legacy would remain an integral part of the institution's journey.

He said Prof. Mahapatra's contributions had laid a strong foundation for the growth of AIIMS Bhubaneswar as a premier national healthcare and medical education institution.

Dr. Biswas also expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family, praying for strength and courage to overcome the irreparable loss.

The AIIMS fraternity remembered Prof. Mahapatra not only as the institution's founding director but also as the visionary architect whose dedication and leadership helped shape its identity and future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda