Nationally respected education leader and founder-chairman of the Bhubaneswar-based SAI International School, Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo passed away at a private hospital in Hyderabad today (June 3, 2021).
Dr. Sahoo, who was also the adviser to Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan (OAVS) — a statutory body under Government of Odisha that operates and manages 314 free-of-charge Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas – underwent initial treatment in a private hospital in Cuttack after testing positive for the deadly Covid-19 virus two months ago. With his health deteriorating, he was airlifted to Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hyderabad where he was undergoing treatment for the past few days.
The SAI International Group comprises the SAI International School, SAI Angan Preschool; the undergrad SAI International College of Commerce and the CBSE-affiliated SAI International Residential School. Currently the group’s four institutions have an aggregate 5,260 students mentored by 756 teachers on their muster rolls.
Expressing grief over the demise of Dr. Sahoo, Dilip Thakore, editor of EducationWorld said: “Dr Bijaya Sahoo was an extraordinary and visionary edupreneur and a great friend and supporter of EducationWorld. After he started his first institution the SAI International School in 2008 he promoted four other globally benchmarked education institutions to place Odisha on the education map of India. Fittingly in 2020-21 SAI International School was ranked India’s #1 co-ed day-cum-boarding school in the EducationWorld India School Rankings with top score under the parameter of leadership. Moreover Dr Sahoo was appointed advisor to the Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan with cabinet rank to establish one CBSE affiliated English medium government school in every district of the state. His early passing today in Hyderabad following Covid-19 complications is a huge loss to Indian K-12 education and to the people of Odisha and India. Our deepest condolences to his wife and co-promoter Silpi and their three children on this tragic occasion.”
Chief minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik, tweeted, “Deeply saddened to know about the passing away of noted educationist and entrepreneur, Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo. As Advisor of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan, he had a pioneering role in transforming Govt School education. My condolences to his family, friends and students.”
Deeply saddened to know about the passing away of noted educationist and entrepreneur, Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo. As Advisor of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan, he had a pioneering role in transforming Govt School education. My condolences to his family, friends & students.
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 3, 2021
Recommended: Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan: Revolutionising public schooling in India
A former chartered accountant for whom education was an “all-consuming passion,” Dr. Sahoo is widely credited for placing the educationally underserved eastern state of Odisha (pop. 46.7 million) on the K-12 education map of India. He quit a successful accountancy practice to follow his dream of establishing an internationally benchmarked K-12 school in Bhubaneswar, SAI International School (estb.2008) – ranked India’s #1 coed day-cum-boarding school in the EW India School Rankings 2021-22.
A topper throughout his school life Bijaya Sahoo graduated in 1982 from Utkal University and pressed on to qualify as a chartered accountant certified by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in 1985. This professional education was topped with a law degree from University Law College, Bhubaneswar. A firm votary of continuous education Dr. Sahoo also qualified as a works accountant certified by the Institute of Cost & Works Accountants of India (ICWAI) and was awarded an MBA in finance by the All India Management Association while practising as a chartered accountant. Most recently in 2011 he was awarded a Ph D in commerce by the Open International University, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
“Although Kalinga now known as Odisha was the epicentre of the great kingdom of 3rd century BCE Emperor Ashoka and an ancient seat of learning, in the early 21st century, it didn’t have a world class K-12 school. I made it my mission to address this glaring lacuna. With the grace of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba, our three schools are providing high-quality internationally benchmarked pre-primary, K-12 day-cum-boarding and wholly residential education to 5,260 children mentored by 756 highly qualified teachers,” Dr. Sahoo told EducationWorld last September.
Also read: 50 Leaders who can revive Indian education – Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo
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