Parshuram Mishra

Parshuram Mishra
Statue of Parshuram Mishra at PMIASE,Sambalpur
Born25 January 1894 
Sambalpur district 
Died4 August 1981  (aged 87)
OccupationBotanist, poet 
Parent(s)
  • Loknath Mishra[1]
  • Kunti Devi
Awards
  • Padma Shri in literature and education
  • Odisha Sahitya Akademi Ovation (1972) 

Parshuram Mishra (25 January 1894 – 4 August 1981) was an Indian botanist, educationist and the first vice chancellor of the Sambalpur University.[2][3] He completed his college studies at the University of Calcutta in 1961[4] and secured a doctoral degree (PhD) from the University of Leeds, the first person from Odisha to secure a doctoral degree from the university. He was a former member of faculty at Leeds during which period he published several botanical articles.[5] Returning to India, he became the vice chancellor of Utkal University.[2] When the Government of Odisha started Sambalpur University in 1967, Mishra was made the first vice chancellor.[6]

The Government of India honoured him in 1960, with the award of Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award for his services to the nation.[7] Dr. P. M. Institute of Advanced Study in Education, an institution started in 1988 for advanced studies in education is named after him.[8]

Early Life

Parshuram Mishra was born on 25 January 1894 in the village of Tulundi, located near Barapali in Sambalpur district of present-day Odisha. He was born to Loknath Mishra and Kunti Devi. His father worked initially as a Patawari and later became a Revenue Inspector. From an early age, Mishra developed a strong attachment to nature. His childhood experience in village shaped his interest in field of Botany.[1]

Education

Mishra received his primary and lower secondary education in local rural schools. Due to limited educational facilities in the district, he later joined the only high school in Sambalpur after his father was transferred there. He passed the matriculation examination in 1913 and was awarded a district scholarship.[9][1]

He pursued his Intermediate Science (I.Sc.) studies at Ravenshaw College, Cuttack (Now, Ravenshaw University), under the University of Calcutta, completing it in 1915. For higher studies, he moved to Presidency College, Calcutta, where he studied Chemistry, Botany, and Human Physiology, graduating with a B.Sc. degree in 1917. He completed his M.Sc. in Botany in 1920.

Later, Mishra pursued advanced research in plant anatomy and joined the University of Leeds in England as a research scholar in 1938 under Prof. J. H. Priestley. He was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in 1940 for his research contributions.[1]

Personal Life

Mishra married during his high school years, which was a common social practice at the time. Despite early responsibilities, he continued to excel academically. He was known to be a reserved and shy individual in his youth, particularly after moving from a rural environment to urban academic settings like Calcutta. Over time, he developed a broader outlook through interaction with peers and exposure to intellectual circles.

He was deeply influenced by his school teacher, Fakir Mishra Kavyatirtha, whom he regarded as an ideal mentor. This influence contributed to his interest in teaching and educational service. In addition to his scientific pursuits, Mishra had a literary inclination and composed poetry reflecting his sensitivity towards nature and life.[1]

Career and Achievements

Mishra began his academic career as an officiating professor of Botany at Ravenshaw College in 1920. He later served as a lecturer and conducted significant research under the guidance of Dr. Parija.[10]

In 1948, he was appointed Principal of Gangadhar Meher College, Sambalpur (Now, the college is upgraded to G.M University), and retired from government service in 1950. He subsequently served as Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University from 1952 to 1955, where his tenure was formally appreciated by the university senate.[11][12]

In 1967, he became the first Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University, playing a key role in its establishment and early development.[13] His administrative leadership helped in framing the statutes, rules, and academic structure of the institution.[14][15][16][1]

Awards and Honours

Dr. Parshuram Mishra was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1961 in recognition of his contributions to education and science. Sambalpur University conferred upon him the honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree in 1972.[17] He was also recognized in the field of literature; his poetry collection “Bibartan” received an award from the Odisha Sahitya Akademi in 1972.[1][7] Dr. P. M. Institute of Advanced Study in Education, a teacher training institution started in 1988 for advanced studies in education was named after him.

Statue and Institute made and named after Dr. Parshuram Mishra
  • This Teacher Training college Dr. P.M IASE is named after Parshuram Mishra
  • Statue of Parshuram Mishra at PMIASE,Sambalpur
  • Statue of Parshuram Mishra at Bhutapada Chowk
  • Statue of Parshuram Mishra at Bhutapada Chowk, Sambalpur

Death

Dr. Parshuram Mishra passed away in 1982 at the age of 88.[1][18]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Mahānti, Jagannātha (2009). Encyclopaedia of Education, Culture and Children's Literature: Educational trends and innovations. 2. Deep & Deep Publications. ISBN 978-81-8450-152-0.
  2. ^ a b "PMIASE". PMIASE. 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  3. ^ Orissa Reference: Glimpses of Orissa. TechnoCAD Systems. 2001.
  4. ^ "University of Calcutta". University of Calcutta. 2015. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  5. ^ Allan Allsopp, Parasuram Misra (1940). "The constitution of the cambium, the new wood and the mature sapwood of the common ash, the common elm and the Scotch pine". Biochem. J. 34 (7): 1078–1084. doi:10.1042/bj0341078. PMC 1265385. PMID 16747252.
  6. ^ "Sambalpur University". Sambalpur University. 2015. Archived from the original on 11 June 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Padma Shri" (PDF). Padma Shri. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  8. ^ "Pmiase history". PMIASE. 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  9. ^ Vidyarthi, Lalita Prasad (1967). Leadership in India. Asia Publishing House.
  10. ^ Guru, Giridhari Prasad (2003). The Tides of Time: A Memoir. Geeta Guru.
  11. ^ Mahapatra, Justice Harihar (15 February 2011). My Life, My Work. Allied Publishers. ISBN 978-81-8424-640-7.
  12. ^ Patnaik, N. (2000). Sacred Complex in Orissa: Study of Three Major Aspects of the Sacred Complex. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-212-0680-8.
  13. ^ Patnaik, N. (2005). Pilgrimage and Puri. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-212-0865-9.
  14. ^ Swain, Laksha P. (2006). Migration and Adjustment. Northern Book Centre. ISBN 978-81-7211-211-0.
  15. ^ Mohanty, Jagannath; Mohanty, Sudhansu (2006). In Quest of Quality Education and Literature: An Autobiography. Deep & Deep Publications. ISBN 978-81-7629-764-6.
  16. ^ Kaul, Vimla (1978). India Since Independence: Chronology of Events. Sagar Publications.
  17. ^ Hindustan Year-book and Who's who. M. C. Sarkar. 1961.
  18. ^ Kaul, Vimla (1978). India Since Independence: Chronology of Events. Sagar Publications.


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