NL Mounzaka, IRTS
It was Dr Patnaaik’s great good fortune that he took leadership roles in various institutions and what an eventful and wonderful journey it has been for him, for his work and for all of us. Over the years, he has grown like a massive oak, whose endearing branches have given and still continue to give that essential shade and comfort to many young and old, near and afar, exuding a certain vibrancy and fragrance of rectitude, dignity and integrity, and values he endeavoured to instill in all of us.
For the relentless and dedicated service he has rendered with such loving care to his organizations where he served in complete dedication and ‘apnapan’. He will remain one of the most distinguished noble sons of Mother Earth. Generations of people, young and old, from all walks of life, all over the world will bow their heads in deep respect and gratitude for all that he has done and continues to do for them and for the country.
There have been many such administrators but Dr Patnaaik is unique; this uniqueness is explained adequately by a famous quotation, “The jack of all trades and sky is the limit”. He was, he is and he will be an inspiration to all of us, hopefully for a long time. Briefly, he is an island of excellence in a sea of mediocrity.
He has character and integrity, and never hesitates to call a spade a spade. Every time I meet this noble personality, either at his residence or at his office, never did I fail to worship him in our traditional style, irrespective of what attire I wore, whether that of a professional or that of a civilian.
In this context what would be a better way before I sign off, other than quoting, “Let your ‘apnapan’ keep lighting all souls of the world, one and all”!