Gujarat's former senior IAS Kulinchandra Yagnik passes away

Gujarat lost its two former bureaucrats today, as after former additional chief secretary S K Nanda, Kulinchandra Yagnik (97), the man behind signatures on the degree certificates of many Amdavadis passed away in Nadiad.

Yagnik was a Sanskrit scholar and wrote Sanskrit verses with their meanings in Gujarat Samachar and Akhand Anand.

His books on administration and the establishment of North Gujarat University are worth reading.

Man with a cause

In 1985, Yagnik was serving as the chief education secretary of the state. At that time, the then government entrusted him with the task of establishing a university in north Gujarat. Upon its completion, Yagnik was made the first vice-chancellor for two terms from 1986 to 1992.

To establish this university in Patan, he undertook memorable tasks such as acquiring land, setting up departments, creating the university's official magazine and emblem, and gaining immense popularity in higher education. He also took a vow not to eat cooked food for a long time until land for the university was acquired in Patan.

It was 1951 when he started as an Information Assistant in the Saurashtra government. Later, he was appointed to the IAS cadre in 1973 and successfully served as the secretary to the governor, principal secretary to the chief minister, secretary of the industry department, and education secretary. Moreover, he served as a successful collector in Dang, Bharuch, and Vadodara districts of Gujarat.

For a long time, he was actively involved in writing Sanskrit aphorisms and verses. His books, “Vahivat Ni Vato” and “Subhashit Saar”, also became very popular.

Even at the age of 97, he remained actively engaged in writing. He was also the chairman of Gujarat Sahitya Akademi in 1984.

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