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.
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
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 .
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
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.
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
IMPACT OF HIS WORK ON THE SOCIETY
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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