Bhubaneswar Behera Born on 01.01.1916 at village Kashibahal in the then princely state of Kalahandi. Early education at Bhawanipatna, passed his matriculation in 1935. He had his B.Sc.(Hons), Physics from Ravenshaw College, Cuttack in 1939. Obtained B.Sc.(Engg.) Hons. degree in Civil Engineering in 1943 from Bihar College of Engineering Patna. After an apprenticeship in Government of Orissa, Works Department and the Irrigation Dept. of the then princely state of Mysore, in the Jog Hydro Power Project joined as an Asst. Engineer with special charge of irrigation under the Kalahandi, Darbar in Feb. 1945.
He came across the perennial Indravati flowing across the Thuamul Rampur Plateau of Kalahandi, a tributary of Godavari running parallel to the Eastern Ghats. He visualised that the diversion of the river Indravati to Hati River will create an artificial water fall from a height of 2000 feet which will generate hydropower and will also provided perennial water supply for irrigation. He prepared a preliminary scheme and submitted the same to the Maharaja for his consideration. The Maharaja was enhrilled with his work.
Late Prof. Behera was selected by Govt. of India as a post war reconstruction scholar for higher studies abroad obtained Masters degree from the state university of IOWA, USA in 1947. Joined Kalahandi State Government as Irrigation Engineer in 1947 on merger of the princely state of Kalahandi into Orissa in 1948. Late Prof. Behera was deputed to work in the Hirakud Dam Project where he worked as Asst. Engineerr and Executive Engineer till 1956. Joined the University College of Engineering, Burla and become Professor, Civil Engineering in 1958. Late Prof Behera became the Principal of University College of Engineering, Burla in 1961. Joined Regional Engineering College, Rourkela in Feb. 1962 as its first principal and remained till 1971. He was appointed as Vice-chancellor, Sambalpur University in 1971, remained till 1976. In 1977, Govt. of India sent him to the Democratic Republic of Liberia in West Africa as an Advisor for Technical Education. Later appointed as member of Das Committee by Govt. of Orissa to recommend establishment of Colleges in Orissa. He also worked as Member, Orissa State Planning Board. He joined as Member of the Union Public Service Commission and remained till 1981.
Behind every great personality there is usually a lady behind and in the case of Late Prof. Behera the good old lady was Late Uma Devi who has enriched the family tradition by their illustrious daughter: Dr. Yashodhara Mishra and three sons: one a Doctor, one an IPS Officer and the other an IRTS.
AWARDS CONFERRED
His essay book "Suna Parikshya" earned him Orissa Sahitya Academy Award and his novel "Gaonro Daka" earned him the prestigious "Sarala Award". He also has bagged the "Sarala Sanman" and "Prajatantra Prachar Samity Essay Award". The Utkal Pathak Sansad, Cuttack has conferred on him "Sahitya Sudhakar" title. Sambalpur University and Utkal University have conferred on him Doctorate of Science(Honoris Causa) degree. He is also the recipient of "Utkal Ratna" in 1998. He has authored 8 books and several research papers.