Mahatma Gandhi University mourns the loss of a distinguished academician, Dr. Biju Lakshmanan, whose invaluable contributions have left an indelible mark on the University community and beyond.
Dr. Biju, the esteemed Director and Professor of the School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies at Mahatma Gandhi University, passed away after battling with kidney disease. His profound expertise spanned a spectrum of disciplines including Gandhian Studies, Human Rights, Development Alternatives, Rural and Urban Governance.
Before joining the University, Dr. Lakshmanan served as the Director General of the State Government’s Institute for Parliamentary Affairs.
Furthermore, he held significant roles as a Member of the MGU Senate, Academic Council, and Board of Studies across various universities. He contributed extensively as a Professor in Government Colleges, Director of the School of Distance Education at MG University, and Academic Consultant to esteemed institutions like the Election Commission and various universities. Notably, Dr. Lakshmanan played a pivotal role as the coordinator of the Festival of Democracy hosted by the Legislative Assembly of Kerala in 2018.
In addition to his administrative and consultative roles, Dr. Lakshmanan was a devoted academician, serving as the President of the Mahatma Gandhi University Teachers Association. He generously shared his knowledge and guidance with numerous doctoral students, supervising them in their academic endeavours and facilitating their
attainment of Ph.D degrees.
The cremation ceremony is scheduled to take place at Vayakkal near Kottarakkara in the Kollam district on Sunday, March 17. Prior to that, his mortal remains will be kept at the Assembly Hall of MG University on March 15 at 10:30 AM, allowing the university community to pay their final respects.
