Sunanda Panigrahi

Early Life and Education

Sunanda Panigrahi was born to Dr. Nilamadhab Panigrahi and Smt. Sumedha Panigrahi in the village of Gulunda, in the district of Sambalpur, Odisha. Her academic prowess was evident early on as she pursued her education with determination and focus. In 1964, she completed her High School Certificate Examination at the Government Secondary Training School for Women in Berhampur. Following this, she earned her Pre-University degree from the Government Women’s College, Berhampur, Utkal University in 1965.

Sunanda continued her studies, completing an 18-year Degree in Arts from the Government Women’s College, Utkal University in 1966. She then pursued her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Honours with Distinction from Bhadrak College, Utkal University, which she completed in 1968. In 1970, she obtained her Master of Arts in English from Ravenshaw College, Utkal University. Following this, she attended the Summer Institute in English Language Teaching in 1972. In 1987, Sunanda was awarded a Master of Philosophy from Sambalpur University.

Teaching Career

Sunanda’s passion for teaching was evident when she was selected by the Orissa Public Service Commission (OPSC) in 1972. However, she could not join due to personal reasons. Instead, she began her teaching career at S.K.D.A.V College for Women, Rourkela, as a Lecturer in English in the same year.

In 1976, Sunanda joined Rama Devi Women’s College, Bhubaneswar as a Lecturer in English. In 1979, she transferred to the Government Women’s College, Sambalpur. Her dedication and expertise in the field of English led to her transfer to S.G. Women’s College, Rourkela, in 1993, and later back to the Government Women’s College, Sambalpur. During her time at Sambalpur, she became the Head of the Department and a Reader in English.

Sunanda served as the Superintendent of TRW Hostel at the Government Women’s College, Sambalpur, from 2003 until her retirement in 2005. After retiring, she continued to contribute to the field of education by taking up the role of Principal at Sri Aurobindo LIE & R Junior College, Sambalpur, in 2007, where she has been serving ever since.

Personal Milestones

Sunanda’s personal life has been marked by significant milestones that reflect her devotion to her family. On February 5, 1975, she married Sri Sriballav Panigrahi in Rourkela. The couple was blessed with two sons: Sri Priyadarshee Panigrahi on October 27, 1975, and Sri Rajarshi Panigrahi on October 15, 1978.

In 1993, Sunanda organized the Bratopanayan of both her sons in Sambalpur, signifying their passage into adulthood. As her sons grew older, they found their life partners, with the elder son marrying Smt Soumitri Nanda on June 29, 2006, in Cuttack, and the younger son marrying Smt Rajshree Das on December 5, 2007, in Berhampur.

Sunanda’s family continued to grow as she became a proud grandmother. On June 8, 2010, she was blessed with her first granddaughter, Ms. Tisya Panigrahi, the daughter of Priyadarshee Panigrahi and Soumitri Nanda. Her second granddaughter, Ms. Saanvi Panigrahi, the daughter of Rajarshi Panigrahi and Rajshree Das, was born on January 2, 2014.

A well-traveled individual, Sunanda has journeyed to various countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman. These travels have undoubtedly enriched her life experiences and contributed to her personal growth.