Hundreds of representatives from different organisations of Rourkela and many eminent citizens while expressing their love and homage to the departed soul of former NITR Principal Prof Somnath Misra, demanded a civilian award posthumously for him from the Government of India.
The NITR in collaboration with the local chapter of its Alumni Association, observed a Shradhanjali Sabha in memory of Prof Misra under the guidance of Bharat Bhusan Mohanty, a senior alumnus of the class of 1969 and former Executive Director of the Rourkela Steel Plant, recently.
Prof Mishra, an illustrious educationist and an internationally acclaimed metallurgist, had taken over the helm of REC, Rourkela at a young age of 38 in 1974. During his tenure of 22 years, he had steered the college to glorious heights. Prof Mishra joined Banaras Hindu University as Reader in Metallurgy. He was the youngest at 34, to be elevated to the position of Professor and then to adorn the position of the Principal of REC, Rourkela at 38.
A visionary, he was instrumental in installing a 4th Generation VAX 11/780 computer in 1980 in Rourkela, first among RECs and 4th in the country. Also, it was his effort that RECR was the first among RECs to institute courses in MCA (1981), Computer Science and Engineering and a centre for Computer Literacy and Awareness Studies in Schools (Class project – 1983).
While Director I/c Rourkela Steel Plant Atanu Bhownik lighted the lamp, Director of NIT paid a glowing tribute recounting the contributions of Prof Misra. Among others who spoke included chairman of the local chapter of Alumni Association Bimal Kumar Bisi, nephew of Prof Misra Satchidananda Misra, Dr PC Mohapatra, an eminent surgeon, Prof HB Nayak and social worker and former Senior GM of RSP Abhay Das.