Dr. Ghananand Pande | |
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| Born | (1902-01-01)1 January 1902 |
| Education | B.E. inCivil Engineering |
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Ghananand Pande (1 January 1902 – c. 1995)[1] was anIndian engineer and a civil servant. He held key positions in theGovernment of India and contributed to engineering education reforms in India. In 1969, he received thePadma Vibhushan award, the second highest civilian award ofIndia.[2]
Pande was born in Ranikhet, a small town inAlmora district in present-day state ofUttarakhand. Pande completed his primary and secondary schooling in Almora and Nainital.[3] Pande pursued higher education atAllahabad University, where he earned his undergraduate degree with first-division honors in 1922.[3] He subsequently obtained aB.E. inCivil Engineering fromThomson College of Civil Engineering, now known asIndian Institute of Technology Roorkee, in 1925.
Pande started his professional career as an engineer inIndian 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 in 1957 as chairman of theRailway Board and secretary of theMinistry of Railways in the Government of India, after serving in those positions for three years. From 1958 to 1960, he was chairman of the Steel Board, and from 1961 to 1966 he served as vice-chancellor of the University of Roorkee. Between 1966 and 1973, he held additional 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 inBhilai,Rourkela, andDurgapur. He proposed a baby car project in 1960–61 and recommended that small cars be manufactured in India.[3] He later transitioned to academia, serving as the vice-chancellor of Roorkee University (now IIT Roorkee), during his tenure he established a centre ofInstitution of Engineers (India) at the University.[6] He left the position voluntarily.[5]
He received an honoraryDoctor of Engineering degree from the University of Roorkee and an honoraryDoctor of Science degree fromKumaon University in recognition of his contributions to engineering education.[2] He was also awardedPadma Vibhushan in 1969 for his service to public administration. He was nominated by the state ofUttar Pradesh.[7]
