Bishambhar Nath Pande

Dr. Bishambhar Nath Pande (23 December 1906 in India – 1 June 1998 in Delhi) was a freedom fighter, social worker, and an eminent parliamentarian in India. Dr. Pande devoted his life to the cause of National Integration, and to the spread of the Gandhian way of life.

Dr. B N Pande devoted his life to the service of the nation, and was a lifelong member of the Indian National Congress. He was a close associate of Jawaharlal Nehru (the first prime minister of independent India), Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. He has also worked very closely with Sonia Gandhi until his death in 1998.

Dr. Pande was believer in and follower of the "Gandhian Principles and Philosophy", and was Vice Chairperson of the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS) for 18 years. The primary objective of GSDS is the spread of the "Gandhian Principles and Philosophy" globally. He was invited to give lectures to Japan, Russia, Germany and Canada on the life and ideals of Mohandas K. Gandhi. Dr. Pande & Dr. Daisaku Ikeda were friends.

Pande was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the President of the Republic of India for his achievements in the field of social work in 1976.

Pande was awarded the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration by P. V. Narasimha Rao (the Prime Minister of India) in 1996 for his lifetime achievements in the field of Hindu – Muslim unity in India. He was also awarded the Khuda Baksh Award for his work on the composite culture of India.

1. Member of the Legislative Assembly, Uttar Pradesh (from --- to ---)
2. Mayor of Allahabad (from --- to ---)
3. Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (Upper House) (from 1976 to 1984 and from 1989 to 1998)
4. President of the Pradesh Congress Committee, Uttar Pradesh (from 1980 - 1983)
5. Governor of Odisha (from 1984 to 1988)

Pande devoted a major part of his life to research on secularism with the objective of promoting unity amongst all religions in India. As part of his research, he wrote several books.

1. Centenary history of the Indian National Congress 1885-1985
2. A Concise History of the Indian National Congress, 1947–1985 (1986)
3. Indira Gandhi
4. Islam and Indian culture

5. Aurangzeb

Dr. Pande was married to Shanta Pande, a former freedom fighter.

Other notable family members

• Nandita Pande Rao, his only child
• Major General Joginder Singh Rao, VSM (son-in-law)
• P P Rao (grandson)
• Rahul Pande Rao (grandson)

• "Freedom fighter dead". The Tribune. 1 April 2000. Retrieved 12 November 2011.