Bhubaneswar: The Postgraduate Department of Political Science at Utkal University paid heartfelt tribute to the legacy of late Professor Shreeram Chandra Dash by observing his 107th birth anniversary on 17 November 2025. Prof. Dash, the pioneering architect of the department, was fondly remembered for his role in shaping its intellectual foundation and mentoring successive cohorts of students. To honour his contributions, the department organized the annual Prof. Shreeram Chandra Dash Memorial Lecture.
The commemorative event was enriched by the presence of Shri Vivek Pattanayak, IAS (Retd.), who delivered the keynote address. Shri Pattanayak, a member of Prof. Dash’s very first batch of students (1963–65), joined former Head of Department Prof. Brahmananda Satapathy—currently Professor Emeritus at KISS, Bhubaneswar—as the day’s distinguished speakers.
The programme began with floral tributes and garlanding of the statue of Prof. Dash by the invited dignitaries, faculty members, and students. In his keynote lecture titled “Indian Democracy versus American Anarchy,” Shri Pattanayak offered a nuanced and compelling analysis that drew appreciation from the audience for its scholarly depth. Following this, Prof. Satapathy delivered an engaging talk on “Extension of Healthcare and Insurance Subsidies: A Controversial Issue in the American Congress,” highlighting debates in U.S. welfare policies while drawing meaningful comparisons with similar frameworks in India.
The memorial gathering was attended by Head of the Department Dr. Seema Mallik; Associate Professor Dr. Swapna S. Prabhu; Assistant Professor Dr. Nityananda Barik; and faculty member Shri Umesh Chandra Nayak, along with research scholars and students. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Barik. As part of the occasion, awards were also presented to students for various competitions conducted within the department.
