Bhubaneswar: Distinguished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Subas Pani, known for his remarkable contributions to both civil service and literature, has passed away at his Bhubaneswar-based residence today. He was 76.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters. He will be cremated at Satyanagar Crematorium at noon.
He served as the Chief Secretary of the Government of Odisha and held various prominent positions, including Deputy Election Commissioner at the Election Commission of India.
Pani was a renowned expert in multiple fields, including Systems, IT, Industry, Infrastructure, Trade Promotion, and Elections. One of his notable achievements was setting up the Bhubaneswar Software Technology Park, which contributed significantly to the growth of the IT industry in Odisha. He had also successfully conducted several national and state assembly elections, including three national elections in 1996, 1998, and 1999, showcasing his expertise in election management.
Pani had a lifelong interest in academic and cultural fields, reflected in his numerous books and articles. He had composed music for the ‘Sampoora Geetagovinda’ audio CDs, released by Saregama in 2008, which had become a collector’s item. He had also conceptualised and curated several cultural festivals, such as the Kumar Utsav at Jeypore, the Mukteswar Dance Festival at Bhubaneswar, and the Ashtapadi Festival at Delhi. Additionally, Pani was a regular television commentator on Doordarshan for live broadcasts of the Ratha Yatra festival in Puri.
Pani’s contributions to the field of IT and systems were recognised with the prestigious Fellowship of the Computer Society of India (CSI) in 2009. He was also a life member of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), reflecting his commitment to preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage. Through his various roles and achievements, Subas Pani has made a lasting impact on both the public sector and the cultural landscape of India.
