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. He served at key positions in theGovernment of India and contributed to engineering education reforms in India. He was honored with the second highest civilian award ofIndia, thePadma Vibhushan in 1969.[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 asIIT 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 as the chairman of theRailway Board and secretary,Ministry of Railways, in theGovernment 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 theGovernment 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 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 theInstitution of Engineers at the university.[6] He left the position voluntarily.[5]
He was conferred thehonorary degree ofDoctor of Engineering byRoorkee University, andDoctor of Science byKumaon University in recognition of his impact on engineering education.[2] He was also awardedPadma Vibhushan in 1969 in Civil Service for his contributions to India's civil service and infrastructure development. He was nominated from stateUttar Pradesh.[7]
