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Dr Nirakar Parida has bagged Asia's Rising Star Award

Dr Nirakar Parida has bagged Asia's Rising Star Award

Nirakar Parida

The true measure of contribution lies in using knowledge as a tool to uplift society. This is the inspiring story of Mr. Nirakar Parida, a mechanical engineer who embodies the belief that unwavering willpower can achieve wonders. Driven by a profound sense of gratitude, he has harnessed his expertise to give back to society, creating meaningful change and opportunities for others. Through innovation and determination, he has set an example of how one person’s vision can make a lasting impact, proving that when you believe in yourself, the possibilities are boundless.

  • He has actively participated as a great contributor in successful completion and achievement of full load installed capacity in  two thermal power plants of Damodar Valley Corporation from the ground up, bringing electricity to countless people.
  • Beyond providing power, he has extended his efforts to social causes, using the resources generated to support children’s education and uplift communities.

His work reflects a commitment not only to infrastructure development but also to societal betterment through education and empowerment.

EARLY LIFE

He was born on February 20, 1985, in a small village named Baliganda in Kendrapara district, Odisha, near the Bay of Bengal. Coming from a poor family, life was not easy for him. They lived in a joint family and often struggled to find enough food even for two people. His father, Shri Nityananda Parida, was a farmer with limited agricultural land, while his mother, Smt. Oshi Parida, was a homemaker.

In the 1990s, Odisha faced significant poverty, with many families, including Mr. Nirakar Parida’s, living below the poverty line. His family of 27 struggled with limited land and resources, relying on buffaloes for livelihood. Many instances,  he has put helping hands to his father and grandfather looking after buffaloes in open fields for feeding them and also washing them to remain the animals healthy and fit for milk production, the source of his family income. As the only son with five sisters, he bore immense responsibility from a young age.

Despite the challenges, Mr. Nirakar’s grandfather, Late Kusasan Parida became a source of inspiration, teaching him the importance of education. Motivated by this, he excelled academically, topping his high school and securing 2nd place in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Bilology in the entire Kendrapara district of Odisha during his 12th grade. However, due to a lack of guidance, he missed an opportunity to study at a prestigious college in REC, Rourkela in 2002.

Undeterred, he joined engineering in 2003 and pursued his studies with resilience. Today, Mr. Nirakar is pursuing an online Full Time master’s degree in applied mechatronics and robotics from IIT Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, proving that determination and the will to learn can overcome even the toughest challenges.

 HIS JOURNEY

Mr. Nirakar’s journey as a student was fraught with challenges and financial hardships. Coming from a struggling background, he could not afford basic necessities like textbooks, college uniforms, or even a pair of shoes. His mornings and evenings went without breakfast or snacks, and he endured many sleepless nights due to hunger and anxiety about his future. During his school days, he faced immense hardships, often surviving on just bread and water to stave off hunger.

Life was never easy for Mr. Nirakar, marked by constant ups and downs. In 1999, Odisha was devastated by a super cyclone, a disaster that claimed countless lives. Although his family survived, the tragedy left a profound impact on him.

However, support from organisations in the USA and Japan, along with assistance from the government, provided much-needed aid to the affected areas. They sent books and educational materials, which allowed him and other students to continue their studies despite the overwhelming circumstances. With this support, he was able to study and successfully pass his class 10th exam, overcoming the adversity and continuing on his path toward a brighter future.

Also, during this difficult time, Shri Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda, currently a National vice president in the BJP, came forward to help his family. This act of kindness deeply moved him and made him realise the value of life. Shri Baijayant Panda became his lifelong inspiration and ideal. The cyclone and its aftermath shaped his perspective, instilling in him a sense of resilience and the importance of giving back to society.

Instead of succumbing to his struggles, he channelled his energy into studying diligently and cracked the Odisha JEE, earning a spot to pursue mechanical engineering at a government college, Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology at Sarang, Dhenkanal,Odisha.

Since childhood, he had a deep fascination with physics, believing it to be a common science that we learn from nature every day. His interest in machines and physics naturally led him to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

In 2007, Mr. Nirakar completed his B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Sarang, Dhenkanal, Odisha, under Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Odisha.

During his second semester, Mr. Nirakar Parida faced a severe financial crisis that led him into depression. At one point, he even considered quitting his studies to focus on earning money to support his family. However, deeply rooted in spiritual values and with unwavering faith in God Jagannath Jee, Puri, he felt a strong gut feeling that somehow, he could survive the semester and that his struggles would soon come to an end.

A miracle happened when he learnt about a scholarship scheme from the Government of Odisha. The scheme offered scholarships to bright students with good CGPA, and since he was from the OBC category, two seats were reserved for students like him. Thanks to his hard work and dedication, he received the scholarship, which alleviated his financial worries and allowed him to continue his studies.

This moment of relief inspired him to keep going, igniting a renewed energy in his life.

Despite these adversities, he displayed immense resilience and determination. Paying semester fees was a constant struggle, but his unwavering focus on education kept him going. His hardships shaped his strong character and fuelled his desire to overcome obstacles.

He realised that he could overcome his struggles. After achieving success, he married off his four sisters and now has a supportive family of his own, including wife, Smt. Sasmita Baraj and two daughters, who continue to encourage him in his journey.

After completing his engineering degree, Mr. Nirakar Parida worked in various sectors, including education, tyre manufacturing, the aluminium metal industry, and the central government power sector. He began his career as a guest faculty member at Ghanashyam Hemalata Institute of Technology and Management (GHTIM), Puri, Odisha.

After this, he joined Birla Tyres, where his first salary enabled him to buy mechanical engineering books, which he had been unable to afford during his studies. He purchased second-hand books and studied them to further deepen his knowledge. He later joined Vedanta Aluminium Ltd., where he received a lucrative salary package. While working in the aluminium industry for two years, he gained valuable insights into the sector.

However, he soon realised that despite his professional success, he wasn’t making a significant impact on society. Feeling the urge to contribute more directly to his country, he decided to return to his roots. Motivated by his desire to serve, he pursued and cleared several government exams, including those for NTPC, BHEL, HAL, IFFCO, GATE and many more. He aimed to contribute to his state, his country, and the welfare of its people, aligning his career with his commitment to social service and national development.

HIS WORKS

Few individuals, like Mr. Nirakar Parida, are willing to sacrifice their lives in the name of the society, driven solely by their dedication to serving the nation. As a thermal power engineer, he has taken on various roles that have significantly contributed to the nation's development. These include:

1. AS A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE

  • Damodar Valley Corporation

Mr. Nirakar Parida joined Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), a significant initiative of the Government of India. Established in 1948, DVC was the country's first multi-purpose river valley project, created to address flood control, power generation, irrigation, and other crucial needs in the Damodar Valley region of Jharkhand and West Bengal. The Corporation was formalised through a special act passed by the Indian Parliament in line with Tennessee Valley Authority,  USA. He was the core member of establishing the Damodar Valley Corporation Projects at Andal, Durgapur and Raghunathpur, Purulia in West Bengal.

He worked with the Damodar Valley Corporation for several years, contributing significantly to the development of the Power Genration. He spent 10 years at the Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station, Andal holding various roles, including construction engineer, commissioning engineer, operation engineer, and maintenance engineer. His work in these roles not only helped the successful execution of several critical projects but also played a vital part in enhancing the nation’s power generation capacity, contributing to the country's growth and development.

Operating under the Ministry of Power, DVC is involved in thermal, hydel, and solar power generation, along with power distribution, irrigation, flood control, water supply, afforestation and other operations across the Damodar Valley area. Its primary aim was to tackle the recurring flood problems in Bengal and Jharkhand.

The core value of the Damodar Valley project was hydro-power generation mainly in Tilaiya, Konar, Maithon, Panchet  . When the dams were constructed on the Damodar River, Barakar River and Konar River, it helped manage floods while simultaneously generating electricity. The water stored in the dam powered turbines that generated electricity, and when required, irrigation was controlled to provide water for agricultural lands.

The dam also supported a thriving fishing industry due to its abundant fish population. Over time, the project expanded with diversification in  incorporating thermal power stations to ensure consistent power generation with capacity addition especially during the summer months when hydroelectric generation was limited due to decrease in water volume of the Dams in Valley region .

  • Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station, Purulia, West Bengal.

Mr. Nirakar Parida also worked at Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station for five years, where he faced significant challenges. When he joined the station, it was operating on Chinese technology, which was not suitable for Indian conditions and requirements. Recognising the limitations of the existing technology, he took the initiative to develop indigenous solutions. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, he led efforts to modify the existing systems and adapt them to Indian standards.

His work focused on improving the efficiency and performance of the power plant, which had struggled to meet its intended capacity. In process of different modifications for plant productivity increase, he was well mentored and supported by his seniors like Shri Pawan Kumar Mishra and Shri Pratap Kumar Singh. Their valuable insights have taught Mr. Parida to be good and valuable maintenance Engineer in Thermal Power Sectors.

Through his dedication and innovation, he helped in successfully increasing the plant's capacity from 300 Megawatts to a full load of 600 Megawatts. This achievement was a significant milestone for the power station, not only boosting its output but also ensuring the plant met the energy demands of the country more effectively. His contributions were instrumental in transforming the station into a more reliable and efficient energy source.

Currently, he works in the condition monitoring cell, where he is responsible for regularly checking and servicing the health of machines. This critical role ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the power plant, helping to identify potential issues before they become serious problems.

His expertise in machine health and maintenance has been vital to the ongoing success of the station. For further enhancing his knowledge and Higher certification, he is connected with Mobius Institute though Mobius Connect platform where the experts across the world regularly discuss the present development and problem solving skills required for better health Management of Rotary equipment of a Thermal Power Station.

In recognition of his exceptional work and contributions to the energy sector, Mr. Nirakar was awarded an honorary doctorate in the field of Science in Vibration Analysis of Rotary equipment from Stanford International University,  USA . This accolade highlights his technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and unwavering commitment to the development of the nation's power infrastructure.

2. AS A SOCIAL WORKER 

  • Mr. Nirakar Parida has always been committed to helping others in times of need. For instance, when someone passes away outside the state and their body is not returned, he steps in to provide financial assistance and arranges for the body to be transported, often coordinating with friends to help. He has supported around 3-4 families in such situations. 
  • Additionally, when a person's house was burnt down, forcing them to live in a cattle shed, Mr. Nirakar provided a month's worth of ration and food to help them get back on their feet to survive and relive their life to normalcy.Mr. Parida is a good example and inspiration for future generations students in his district for his dedication and passion for success towards studies despite lots of hurdles in the way. He was accepted as a career counsellor among students and parents in his locality for further progression in their student career.

    • Remembering his student days setbacks due to financial crisis, he emphasizes on readmission of  college drop out students. Many instances, he kept them understand the value of education and persuade them to re-joining for completion their degrees in achievements of success in the future. 
    • Deeply concerned about the lack of education in his village, he has worked hard to raise awareness among parents about the importance of education. He encourages them to ensure that their children receive at least a basic education. To further this cause, he has donated his house to be used as an educational space, where he teaches children from his village and nearby areas for free. Currently, he is teaching 22 children.
    • In 2020, following the Corona pandemic, he founded an education centre in his native village, Baliganda, Kendrapara, Odisha, to provide free education to underprivileged children. His efforts are aimed at empowering the youth of his community with the tools to succeed. Recently, he applied to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, GOI for Section 8 approval of his renamed education centre as “ BALIGANDA EDUCATION FOUNDATION” for further expand and formalise his educational initiative.

      3. HIS FUTURE PLANS

      Mr. Nirakar Parida has ambitious plans for the future, aiming to further contribute to his community and country. He plans to establish a school on his land, where he will provide teaching opportunities to individuals in his village, especially those who have dropped out of college or graduated but are unemployed. These individuals will be trained to teach students up to class 5, empowering them to play a role in educating the next generation.

      Additionally, he is committed to contributing 40% of his earnings towards infrastructure development in his village and surrounding areas. He believes that improving infrastructure is key to the long-term growth of his community.

      With a strong vision for national service, he aspires to share his knowledge and expertise at premier institutes like IITs and esteemed government professional bodies. His goal is to continue learning and contributing to the development of the country in every possible way.

      HIS AWARDS

      • Mr. Nirakar Parida has received numerous prestigious awards and recognitions for his outstanding contributions to both the professional and societal spheres. A few of them are:
      • He has been honoured with an honorary doctorate in the field of science in vibration analysis.
      • He is also a Chartered Engineer (India), awarded by the Institution of Engineers (India), and has received the Bharat Vibhushan Puraskar-2024 by ISHRE.
      • He was felicitated at the CM Delhi Vidhan Sabha by Honourable Speaker Shri Ram Niwas Goel and Padma Shri Ram Chet Chaudhary.
      • In addition, he was awarded the International Eminence and Asian Excellence Award 2024 as Best Engineer of the Year.
      • Selected for Asia’s Rising Star Award in the Category Asia’s Star Award.
      • His accolades also include the Bharat Bhushan Samman, National Icon, Rashtriya Pratibha Samman, Rashtriya Gaurav Samman, Odisha Gaurav Samman, Asia’s Rising Star Award, Global Icon Award, Top 10 Rising stars, Bengal Social Impact Award, Education Excellence at World Business Summit and Asia Talent, all recognising his contributions to society and his professional achievements.

      IMPACT OF HIS WORK ON THE SOCIETY

      • Mr. Nirakar Parida's work has significantly improved the infrastructure in remote and rural areas, especially in terms of providing access to electricity. This is essential for the socio-economic development of these regions, impacting education, healthcare, and overall quality of life.
      • Mr. Nirakar Parida's work in power generation, particularly at the Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station, has significantly enhanced the electricity supply in rural and remote regions, contributing to the socio-economic development of these areas.
      • Through his innovations, such as the development of indigenous technology at the Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station, he helped double the plant’s capacity, ensuring a more reliable energy supply for local communities and industries.
      • His selfless contributions as a social worker have had a direct impact on the lives of several families in distress. By providing financial and logistical support in cases of death, disaster, and displacement, he has helped ease their burdens during challenging times.
      • His leadership in project management has ensured these projects are completed on time and are operated efficiently, setting a high standard for engineering excellence in the thermal power sector.
      • Through his donation of a house for educational purposes and his role in teaching 22 underprivileged children, he has provided free education and raised awareness about the importance of learning in his village, creating a positive ripple effect for future generations.
      • His establishment of the Baliganda Educational Foundation has created an accessible platform for children in his village to receive free education, empowering them with the knowledge needed to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future.
      • His dedication to his profession continues to inspire younger engineers, even as he advances in his career, making him a role model in the Power industry.
      • By continuously balancing his professional achievements with a strong commitment to social service, Mr. Nirakar Parida has set an example for others to contribute to the welfare of society. His actions inspire others to engage in community development and prioritise the collective well-being.
      • With his extensive experience and expertise in thermal power engineering, Mr. Parida has played a key role in the planning, designing, and execution of complex modification projects to increase the load capacity of Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station.
      • Beyond the technical aspects of his work, Mr. Nirakar Parida's contributions have created a lasting impact on society. His efforts have promoted environmental conservation, economic empowerment, and sustainable development in the regions where these projects are located, leaving behind a strong and positive legacy.
      • He also visiting the nearby villages like Naragoria, Pabra, Ghutitora, Pathuri Danga, Chandra of Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station, Purulia. His passion to teach students of different classes as available in the nearby villages of posting are the indicator of the hardships he faced previously during his childhood days in Odisha. He also emphasize that no students should pass through these hardships at early age of Studies that may hamper in producing a great citizen of our mother India.

      At last, I am very much thankful and grateful for Asia Award powered by World Research Congress and Unite Research Council for selection me for such a prestigious recognition at International Platform. This will surely encourage us to work more and more for the upliftment of society at world stage. Thanking you all and Jai Hind, Jai Bharat and Jai Jagannath. 

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