Triumphs of wisdom: Mr. Ashok Pandey’s Inspiring Odyssey in Education, Writing, and Broadcasting

His writing has the beauty of poetry, crafting stories that cut through time and cultural boundaries.

Mr. Ashok Pandey is a brilliant  in the firmament of achievement, with his brightness illuminating the fields of writing, broadcasting and teaching. He has permanently inscribed his name in the annals of brilliance with an unflinching dedication and an unbreakable spirit. He has illuminated the road to knowledge and stoked the flames of curiosity in many young minds as an educator. His writing has the beauty of poetry, crafting stories that cut through time and cultural boundaries. He is the dulcet voice that describes the rich tapestry of events in the world of television, from the magnificent Rath Yatra to the thrilling national sporting events. Indelible traces are left on the canvas of human achievement by Mr. Ashok  Pandey, a real polymath who weaves the inspirational fabric with his multifarious contributions.

 

Words dance on the pages of his compositions, evoking emotions and igniting imagination as his pen holds the power of change. As a legend of broadcasting, he has the exceptional talent of transforming words into vivid images, recounting the tapestry of life during the world famous Rath Yatra and the fervor of major sporting events, and creating for his audience rich landscapes of experience. The path of Mr. Ashok  Pandey is a symphony of skill and devotion, a tribute to the seemingly endless possibilities one may discover when passion and purpose come together.

 

 

National Teacher Award (2006): Mr. Ashok Pandey was conferred by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam with the prestigious National Teacher Award in the year 2006. This award recognized his outstanding contributions to the field of education.

 

Educational Career: Mr. Pandey dedicated approximately 32 years and two months of his life to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan(KVS), a renowned chain of schools in India. His long and dedicated service within the Kendriya Vidyalaya system culminated in him holding the position of Principal at K.V.Pokhariput,Bhubaneswar no.6 at his retirement in 2013. KV schools are known as a pacesetter Vidyalayas in Asia for providing quality education, and Mr. Pandey’s tenure there speaks to his commitment in the  field of education.

 

Broadcasting: In addition to his contributions to education, Mr. Ashok Pandey is actively involved in broadcasting. He is known for providing running commentary during the world famous Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, a significant religious procession in India. Furthermore, he lends his expertise to national sports events by offering commentary. This contribution helps bring important cultural and sporting events to a wider audience.

 

A Legacy of Excellence: Mr. Pandey’s legacy within Kendriya Vidyalaya will continue to inspire future educators and administrators. His dedication to the institution and its values will be remembered for years to come.

 

Mr. Ashok  Pandey’s accomplishments in education, broadcasting and Rajbhasha Hindi language promotion make him a notable and respected figure in India. His dedication to education and his active involvement in broadcasting have likely left a positive impact on both his students and the wider audience who have benefited from his commentary and Hindi language classes.

 

Can you tell us about your entire journey?

 

As a freelance journalist in Hindi since 1989, my message to Indian journalists is to dedicate themselves to the nation, society, and the welfare of the Indian people. In today’s media landscape, there are many mors challenges and my sincere advice to journalists regardless of their language be it Hindi, English, Odia, or any other, is to uphold honesty and integrity in reporting. Journalism is the fourth pillar of Indian democracy and journalists should prioritize the country’s well-being and development.

 

I am also a social worker and a devotee of Lord Jagannath. I have authored more than six books on the Jagannath cult, covering various aspects of Lord Jagannath’s life and traditions. It’s a source of pride for me to have witnessed the navakalevar of Maha Prabhu Jagannath twice, in 1996 and 2015. My Hindi book is exclusively available at the Lions Gate book counter, as there are no other dealers. My life’s mission is to serve the Lord by providing commentary on Doordarshan and other TV channels, as well as writing many more books in Hindi about Lord Jagannath.

 

I hail from Bihar, Buxar, and completed my graduation and master’s degrees in political science, Hindi, and education. I’ve been a freelance Hindi senior journalist for over 30 years and decided to stay in Bhubaneswar after retiring on December 31, 2013. Prof. Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS is a living God for me and I serve as his Hindi advisor. I’ve written extensively about him in over more than 20 national-level Hindi dailies and 16 national-level Hindi magazines.

 

My primary motivations are to serve Lord Jagannath and live alongwith Professor Achyuta Samanta who is a role model and a living God for the tribal community. I focus on writing in Hindi about Odisha’s culture and traditions, as Hindi is widely spoken in India. My life is simple, akin to that of a saint, and I believe in positive thinking. Even at about 72, my life revolves around Lord Jagannath and Professor Achyuta Samanta, and I plan to write about the latter’s life history in the future.

 

Regarding guidance for aspiring writers, my inspiration came when I visited Lord Jagannath’s temple in Bhubaneswar in 1986,August. I had a dream where the Lord revealed His divine form as Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, motivating me to write about Him in Hindi. I’ve always emphasized the importance of being sentimental about your chosen topic when writing. Writing should be driven by a sense of selfless service to God and society. Pride should be set aside in the pursuit of spiritual work. In the Jagannath temple, all devotees humbly serve, and this serves as my inspiration.

 

This source of inspiration has driven my career as a freelance Hindi journalist where I regularly cover social, cultural, and sports events. I’ve had the privilege of providing live commentary on Doordarshan for events such as the National Santosh Trophy,Mango Cup,Archery and hockey etc.

 

Subsequently, at Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport, during the installation of the Biju Patnaik statue, I stood as the sole Hindi commentator, narrating the event involving late PM Atal Bihari Bajpayee. He expressed his delight and his political advisor Late Pramod Mahajan approached me, conveying the Prime Minister’s desire to meet me. I paid my respects to lata PM of Bharat Atal ji.  Airport Authority of India honored me with a shawl and a silver Jagganath Murti alongwith an appreciation letter.

 

These instances bring contentment to my life, but I remain a humble individual. Being a Brahmin, it is my custom to venerate others. Since December 31, 2013, I have also been beseeching Lord Jagannath for the well-being of Prof. Achyuta Samanta, as I am here primarily for him. My constant prayer to Lord Jagannath is for Prof. Achyuta Samanta’s health ,name-fame and prosperity, recognizing his remarkable contributions as an outstanding and extraordinary social worker and World famous educationist and devoted to Lord Jagannath and Mahavir. I firmly believe in the principles that serving humanity is akin to serving the divine and that his service is devoid of personal interests.

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