Chitrakoot: Through sheer determination and perseverance, any courageous individual can conquer over any number of formidable challenges. Among these achievers, we have Dr Shishir Kumar Pandey, a resident of Premghan Marg, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, who completed his education from government schools, and today, serves as the Vice Chancellor of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang State University, Chitrakoot. 

Inspiration to become a teacher

Dr Shishir Kumar Pandey shares that he received his inspiration from his father, Dr Bhavdev Pandey, who lived a life of simplicity and dedicated his whole life to the noble profession of teaching. 

His tale of success is from the time when he used to watch television programmes on All India Radio in Aizawl, Mizoram. In the year 1985, Dr Shishir cleared the NET JRF examination, and got admission in JNU. Later, he did his MPhil in Hindi in 1989 and pursued PhD in 1995. 

Working as an assistant professor

Dr Shishir Kumar Pandey received job offers during his studies. The uninteresting prospects of these job offers did not attract him, and he refused to accept these opportunities. He was aware that he was destined for something better that would allow him to make the best use of his potential and talent. After completing his education, Dr Shishir Kumar Pandey accomplished his dream of becoming a teacher, when he accepted a position as Assistant Professor at Central Sanskrit University. 

Dr Shishir Kumar’s background

Dr Shishir Kumar Pandey did his BA in Hindi and Sanskrit from AIH DDU, Gorakhpur, and an MA in Sanskrit from the same college. For several years, he worked as Hindi Professor and Head of the Faculty of Modern Languages of Central Sanskrit University, Lucknow. Dr Shishir has been honoured with awards for his immense contribution to Indian languages and literature. He has also been awarded the Hindi Gaurav Samman.

Visiting Professor in Russia

Dr Shishir Kumar Pandey has worked as a Visiting Professor in six universities in Moscow, Russia. They are as follows: Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University), Faculty of Journalism, Moscow State University, Institute of Asian African Studies ‘The Lomonosov Moscow State University Moscow,’ Russian State University for Humanities, and Practical Oriental Moscow State University. 

Working in the Indian Embassy

Dr Shishir Kumar Pandey was appointed as a Visiting Professor in Russia by the Ministry of External Affairs from 2008 to 2010. During the time, he gave lessons at the Cultural Centre of the Indian Embassy in Moscow. He also worked as a committee member of the event ‘Celebration of the Indian Year in Russia.’

As a representative of the Indian Embassy, he inaugurated various programmes related to Indian culture in Russia. He also had the responsibility of handling matters related to ICCR scholarships in the Indian Embassy.