Parshuram Mishra

Parshuram Mishra (25 January 1894 – 4 August 1981) was an Indian botanist, educationist and the first vice chancellor of the Sambalpur University. He completed his college studies at the University of Calcutta in 1961 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. Returning to India, he became the vice chancellor of Utkal University.

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. Dr. P. M. Institute of Advanced Study in Education, an institution started in 1988 for advanced studies in education is named after him.

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.

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.

In 1967, he became the first Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University, playing a key role in its establishment and early development. His administrative leadership helped in framing the statutes, rules, and academic structure of the institution. He was also recognized in the field of literature; his poetry collection “Bibartan” received an award from the Odisha Sahitya Akademi in 1972.