V.K. Pandian Presents Odisha’s 5T Governance Model at Harvard Kennedy School

Bhubaneswar, October 14, 2026: Former IAS officer V.K. Pandian highlighted Odisha’s governance reforms and disaster management strategies during an interactive session at Harvard Kennedy School on October 6.

The hour-long discussion, titled “In Conversation with V.K. Pandian and Prof. Jeffrey Liebman,” was organised by the India Conference at Harvard and the Taubman Center for State and Local Government.

Pandian explained how Odisha’s 5T model—Teamwork, Technology, Transparency, Transformation and Time—aimed to improve administrative efficiency and public service delivery under former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

He also discussed Odisha’s disaster preparedness, early warning systems, mass evacuations and coordinated emergency responses, along with the state’s COVID-19 management experience.

Key initiatives highlighted included MGNREGS wage payment reforms in Ganjam, the Window of Hope programme for persons with disabilities in Mayurbhanj, the 5T High School Transformation Programme and the Jaga Mission, which supports land rights and better living conditions for urban slum dwellers.

Pandian thanked Harvard Kennedy School, Professor Jeffrey Liebman, Naveen Patnaik and Team Odisha for their contributions. The session brought Odisha’s administrative reforms and disaster resilience experience to an international audience.