J.B. Patnaik’s unending association with the Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha (RSVP), Tirupati, began when he donated Rs. 50 lakh on behalf of the Odisha government to establish an ‘Odisha Chair’ and undertake research on Sri Jagannath Culture, Sri Chaitanya’s Philosophy and Sri Jayadeva’s Literature.
A Sanskrit scholar himself, Mr. Patnaik was instrumental in developing the facilities of the varsity such as improvisation of libraries, hostel facilities, introduction of sports (indoor and outdoor), health centre, including the recently introduced e-PG Patashala in Vyakarana.
The RSVP management recalled his efforts and ‘judicious intervention’ to make Sanskrit compulsory in the secondary curriculum of Odisha, i.e., during the implementation of three language policy of the government. Mr. Patnaik's conviction towards the development of Sanskrit, the RSVP faculty said, was the reason for his appointment as the Chancellor of the RSVP and he was responsible for several developmental activities. During his tenure of seven years, Mr. Patnaik was instrumental in promoting innovations in research and teaching.
The management unanimously attributed the glory of the RSVP to his dedication and love towards the language.
Mr. Patnaik’s intention of developing a multilingual etymology dictionary, which would give meanings to over 6,000 Sanskrit words in 14 different languages, was taken up by the RSVP as one of the most prestigious projects.
“The project has progressed immensely in the past two years and during the review meeting on Monday, Mr. Patnaik made suggestions to the first volume of the dictionary and directed the project members to release it by August 15, this year,” maintained Professors S. Dakshinamurthy Sarma and C. Ranganathan.
An erudite Sanskrit scholar and prolific writer, Mr. Patnaik has published 14 books in Sanskrit and translated three famous Sataka Kavyas of Bhratrhari i.e., ‘Srngara Satakam’, ‘Vairagya Satakam’ an ‘Niti Satakam’ in Odiya, along with a multitude of essays, ‘kavyas’ and prose pieces in Sanskrit. Mr. Patnaik’s lucid and innovative translation of ‘Shrimad Bhagavatam’ in form of prose in Odiya, is not only his magnum opus but also has inspired many scholars to take up original research on Bhagavatam. He was conferred the Honoris Causa ‘Prajnana Vachaspati’, the highest doctoral degree of a university – Shri Jagannath Sanskrit University (Puri, Odisha) and Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha (Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh), Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Odisha Sahitya Academy Award and several other honours.
