Recommend NeutralOdishaNews.com to your network!

Eminent personalities from Odisha, along with their fields of work and notable achievements:

Droupadi Murmu: The 15th President of India

Birth and Early Life

Born: June 20, 1958, in Uparbeda, a tribal village in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India.
Family Background: She belongs to the Santhal tribe, one of the largest indigenous communities in India. Born into a humble family, Murmu faced several hardships in her early life but persevered through her dedication to education and service.

Education

Droupadi Murmu completed her education in Bhadrak, Odisha, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Rama Devi Women’s College, Bhubaneswar. Despite financial constraints, she focused on her education, driven by her desire to uplift her community.

Career in Public Service

Early Career: Murmu began her career as a teacher, working at the Sri Aurobindo Integral Education and Research Institute in Rairangpur. Her teaching career laid the foundation for her later public service as she became closely connected with the community.
Government Service: She also served as a junior assistant in the irrigation department of the Government of Odisha, which gave her insights into governance and administration.

Political Career
Droupadi Murmu’s political career began in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where she emerged as a significant tribal leader from Odisha.

Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly (2000-2009):
- She was elected twice as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Rairangpur constituency (2000 and 2004) under the BJP ticket.
- During her tenure, she held various important portfolios, including Minister of State for Commerce and Transport and later Minister for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development.
- Her work during this period focused on developing infrastructure in her constituency and advocating for the rights and welfare of tribal communities.
Governor of Jharkhand (2015–2021):
- In May 2015, Droupadi Murmu made history by becoming the first woman from a tribal community to be appointed as the Governor of Jharkhand.
- As Governor, she maintained a neutral stance in a politically complex state, gaining respect for her integrity and governance skills. She is widely praised for her role in promoting tribal welfare and education.

15th President of India

Election as President: On July 25, 2022, Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India, making history as the first tribal woman to hold the highest constitutional office in the country. She was the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate, and her nomination was seen as a significant step toward representing India’s marginalized communities at the national level.
Significance: Her election as President is a symbol of India’s democratic values, representing inclusivity and empowerment of historically disadvantaged sections of society, particularly tribal communities.

Challenges and Tragedies

Despite her successful career, Droupadi Murmu has faced numerous personal tragedies. She lost her two sons, husband, and brother in quick succession, but she continued to serve with resilience and determination. Her ability to rise above personal loss and serve her community has earned her admiration nationwide.

Social and Political Impact

Advocate for Tribal Rights: As a tribal leader, Droupadi Murmu has consistently advocated for the rights of indigenous communities. She has worked to improve education, infrastructure, and livelihoods for the tribal population, making her a strong voice for inclusion and equality.
Symbol of Hope: Murmu’s ascent to the highest office in the country has made her a symbol of hope for millions, especially women and people from marginalized communities. Her journey from a remote tribal village to the presidency represents the possibility of social mobility through perseverance, education, and service.

Personal Traits and Philosophy

Known for her humility and grounded nature, Droupadi Murmu is respected for her simple lifestyle and deep connection to her tribal roots. She emphasizes the importance of education and grassroots development as tools for uplifting marginalized communities.

Droupadi Murmu’s life is a remarkable story of perseverance, dedication, and public service. From her humble beginnings in a tribal village in Odisha to becoming the President of India, her journey symbolizes the power of resilience and the potential of individuals from marginalized communities to lead at the highest levels. Her presidency is not only a milestone for India’s tribal population but also a reflection of the nation’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

1. Biju Patnaik (1916–1997)

Field: Politician, Industrialist
Achievements: Former Chief Minister of Odisha, freedom fighter, played a crucial role in Indonesian independence, and promoted industrialization in Odisha.

2. Gopabandhu Das (1877–1938)

Field: Social Reformer, Poet
Achievements: Known as Utkalmani, played a pivotal role in Odisha’s statehood movement and founded Satyabadi Bana Bidyalaya.

3. Harekrushna Mahatab (1899–1987)

Field: Politician, Historian
Achievements: Former Chief Minister of Odisha, freedom fighter, and key figure in the formation of modern Odisha.

4. Jayanta Mahapatra (b. 1928)

Field: Poet
Achievements: One of India’s most renowned English-language poets, Sahitya Akademi Award winner.

5. Radhanath Ray (1848–1908)

Field: Poet, Writer
Achievements: Pioneer of modern Odia poetry, famous for works like Chilika, Nandikeshwari, and Usha.

6. Sarala Das (15th Century)

Field: Poet
Achievements: One of the earliest and most important poets in Odia literature, author of Sarala Mahabharata.

7. Nandini Satpathy (1931–2006)

Field: Politician
Achievements: Former Chief Minister of Odisha, known for her contributions to women’s rights and social welfare.

8. Madhusudan Das (1848–1934)

Field: Lawyer, Politician
Achievements: Known as Utkal Gourab, played a key role in the formation of modern Odisha, first Odia lawyer in the Calcutta High Court.

9. Satchidananda Routray (1916–2004)

Field: Poet
Achievements: Sahitya Akademi Award winner, known for his socially conscious poetry in Odia.

10. Gopinath Mohanty (1914–1991)

Field: Novelist
Achievements: Sahitya Akademi Award winner, Jnanpith Award winner, known for his contributions to Odia literature and social themes.

11. Raghunath Mohapatra (1943–2021)

Field: Sculptor
Achievements: Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awardee, renowned for his contribution to traditional stone carving.

12. Biswanath Das (1889–1984)

Field: Politician
Achievements: Former Chief Minister of Odisha, served as Governor of Uttar Pradesh, played an important role in India’s freedom struggle.

13. Baisnab Charan Parida (1941–2018)

Field: Politician, Writer
Achievements: Prominent Odia language activist and politician, member of Rajya Sabha.

14. Narayan Prasad Singh (1936–2020)

Field: Poet, Lyricist
Achievements: Known for his contributions to Odia literature and film music, won numerous awards for his lyrics.

15. Bijay Mohanty (1950–2020)

Field: Actor
Achievements: One of the most respected actors in Odia cinema, winner of multiple awards for his performances.

16. Sambit Patra (b. 1974)

Field: Politician
Achievements: National spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), prominent in national and regional politics.

17. Kalpana Dash (1966–2019)

Field: Mountaineer
Achievements: The first Odia woman to climb Mount Everest.

18. Nandita Das (b. 1969)

Field: Actress, Director
Achievements: Known for her acting in Indian parallel cinema and directing films like Firaaq.

19. Anita Desai (b. 1937)

Field: Writer
Achievements: Known for her English novels and short stories, multiple award-winner.

20. Subroto Bagchi (b. 1957)

Field: Entrepreneur
Achievements: Co-founder of Mindtree, author, and renowned business leader.

21. Sudarsan Pattnaik (b. 1977)

Field: Sand Artist
Achievements: Internationally acclaimed sand artist, multiple Guinness World Record holder.

22. Pratibha Ray (b. 1943)

Field: Writer
Achievements: Jnanpith Award and Sahitya Akademi Award winner, known for her novels highlighting women’s issues.

23. Chilika Mohanty (b. 1950)

Field: Theatre Artist, Actor
Achievements: Renowned for her contribution to Odia theatre and cinema.

24. Rituraj Mohanty (b. 1988)

Field: Singer
Achievements: Winner of India’s Raw Star, known for his soulful voice in playback singing.

25. Anubhav Mohanty (b. 1981)

Field: Actor, Politician
Achievements: One of the most popular actors in Odia cinema, currently serving as a Member of Parliament (MP).

26. Himanshu Sekhar Khatua

Field: Film Director, Producer
Achievements: Known for his impactful films in Odia cinema, multiple national and state awards.

27. Vishnu Mohapatra (b. 1965)

Field: Engineer, Technologist
Achievements: Contributions in IT and technology, involved in Odisha’s digital transformation.

28. Ashok Panda (b. 1964)

Field: Politician
Achievements: Minister of Culture and Tourism in Odisha, known for promoting the cultural heritage of the state.

29. Dutee Chand (b. 1996)

Field: Athlete
Achievements: First Indian woman to qualify for the 100 meters event at the Olympics; multiple national champion in athletics.

30. Debasis Mohanty (b. 1976)

Field: Cricketer
Achievements: Represented India in cricket, known for his contributions to the sport in Odisha.

31. Dilip Tirkey (b. 1977)

Field: Hockey Player
Achievements: Former captain of the Indian hockey team, Padma Shri recipient.

32. Jogesh Chandra Rout (b. 1925)

Field: Poet
Achievements: A celebrated Odia poet known for his contributions to children’s literature.

33. Krushna Chandra Panigrahi (b. 1909–1995)

Field: Historian, Archaeologist
Achievements: Notable for his extensive research on Odisha’s history and archaeological sites.

34. Sisir Mishra (b. 1940)

Field: Film Director, Producer
Achievements: Directed acclaimed films in Odia and Hindi cinema, multiple awards.

35. Nirad C. Chaudhuri (1897–1999)

Field: Writer
Achievements: Known for his works in English and Odia literature, author of The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian.

36. Radha Mohan Gadanayak (1911–2000)

Field: Poet
Achievements: Prominent in Odia literature, recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award.

37. Chintamani Panigrahi (1922–2000)

Field: Politician
Achievements: Former Governor of Manipur, known for his contributions to Indian politics and Odisha’s development.

38. Mayadhar Mansingh (1905–1973)

Field: Poet, Essayist
Achievements: Known for his romantic poetry in Odia, literary critic, and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient.

39. Dharanidhar Pradhan (b. 1955)

Field: Poet
Achievements: Known for his contributions to Odia poetry, focusing on rural life and social issues.

40. Shankara Prasad Mohanty (b. 1945)

Field: Artist
Achievements: Renowned for his work in Odia traditional painting and art exhibitions.

41. Uttam Mohanty

Birth and Education

Born: March 12, 1963, in Cuttack, Odisha, India.
Education: He pursued his education in Cuttack, focusing on acting and performing arts.

Career

Field: Actor, Director
Achievements:
- Uttam Mohanty is one of the most prominent actors in Odia cinema, known for his versatility and strong screen presence.
- He has appeared in over 100 Odia films, often portraying lead roles in romantic and dramatic narratives.

42. Shaktikanta Das

Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Appointment: Shaktikanta Das was appointed as the 25th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India on December 12, 2018.
Key Responsibilities: As Governor, he oversees monetary policy, financial stability, and regulatory frameworks for the banking sector.
Monetary Policy: Under his leadership, the RBI has navigated various economic challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

43. Kelucharan Mohapatra: The Legendary Odissi Maestro

Birth and Early Life

Born: January 8, 1926, in Raghurajpur, a small village in Odisha, India.
Family Background: Born into a family of artists, Mohapatra was exposed to traditional performing arts at an early age. His early training was in Gotipua, a traditional dance form that greatly influenced his later work in Odissi.

Career and Contributions

Pioneer of Modern Odissi: Kelucharan Mohapatra is widely regarded as the person who revived and redefined Odissi dance as a classical art form. He played a key role in systematizing its techniques, grammar, and pedagogy.
Guru: He was a revered teacher, responsible for training some of the greatest Odissi dancers, including Sonal Mansingh, Sanjukta Panigrahi, and Protima Bedi. His students have carried his legacy to national and international platforms, making Odissi one of India’s most respected classical dance forms.
Performer: Mohapatra was also a consummate performer. His expressive abilities, especially in the depiction of abhinaya (facial expressions), set him apart and made his performances memorable. He often depicted episodes from Hindu mythology, particularly tales of Radha-Krishna and Lord Jagannath.