Vinod Tibrewal
Chancellor, JJTU
Dr Jagannath Patnaik is hardworking, dedicated to scholarship, knowledgeable in other disciplines, uncompromising in standards and principles, progressive minded, nationalist to the core and striving to achieve excellence in whatever he does at all times. He is simply a scholar par excellence and a model to students, scholars, scientists, nationalists, progressives and administrators.
Dr Patnaaik’s academic as well as administrative contributions in and out of the university system are qualitatively enormous. A very simple, down-to-earth, Dr Patnaaik is always dressed very modestly. However, if one agrees that the best thing one can wear is the expression on one’s face, then he with his smile is one of the best dressed people, like a king. He has conquered ego, the biggest enemy of mankind, and would speak to anyone politely and treat all courteously.
Impeccable integrity, sterling reputation of the highest order elevated him to the post of chancellor, pro-chancellor, vice-chancellor, besides many distinguished positions in education. I have no doubt that he will one day be a master above all.
But the single most striking attribute is that he is completely non-materialistic. It will be difficult to believe for generations to come, that such a man still lives on this Mother Earth.