Dr. Nirakar Parida hails from Baliganda, a small village in the Kendrapara district of Odisha, situated near the serene Bay of Bengal and the Bhitarkanika National Park delta. Born into a modest family with limited agricultural resources, his early life was marked by financial struggles, which only fueled his determination to excel in his studies. His father, a farmer with minimal income, worked hard to support his family, including his five sisters. Despite these challenges, his grandfather, a source of immense inspiration, introduced him to national heroes such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and Shri Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda. These figures instilled in him values of patriotism, non-violence, courage, and the pursuit of knowledge. His formative years were shaped by these role models. He admired Mahatma Gandhi’s commitment to non-violence, Subhash Chandra Bose’s fearless attitude, and the patriotism of Baji Rout. From Biju Patnaik, he drew inspiration for his daring nature, and from Dr. A.P.J.

Abdul Kalam, he embraced a multifaceted approach to life. These early influences helped mold him into a person who strives to contribute to society and his nation. He completed his high school education at NSHS High School in Doligaon, Kendrapara, and later pursued his higher secondary education at Kendrapara College, excelling in the PCMB stream. In 2002, he secured the second position in a class of 256 students. Although he was proficient in both Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology, he chose to pursue Engineering & Technology over Medical Science due to his passion for modern technologies and innovation in India. He earned his full-time B.Tech degree from the Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology under Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Odisha.

After completing his engineering degree, he gained experience in various industries, including education, tyre manufacturing, aluminum metal production, and the central government’s power sector. He currently works as a Manager (Mechanical) at Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station, Purulia, West Bengal, under Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). DVC is a multi-river power project involved in power generation, distribution, flood control, and irrigation. Dr. Parida is deeply proud of his work and strives to contribute to his organization’s improvement with dedication, perseverance, and discipline. With over 17 years of experience in Operations and Maintenance (O&M) at 500/600 MW thermal power stations, he specializes in plant water systems, ash handling plants, coal handling plants, and the condition monitoring of rotating equipment.

He is a certified Level-II Vibration Analyst and has more than five years of experience in the field of vibration analysis. His dedication to knowledge sharing and learning has earned him an honorary doctorate in the field of vibration analysis. In his pursuit of further professional development, he is currently enrolled in a Project Management certification course at IIT Guwahati and a Master’s Program in Applied Mechatronics and Robotics at IIT Bhilai. He also founded a free education center in his native village of Baliganda to provide educational opportunities to underprivileged children in the area. Beyond his professional and academic accomplishments, he is committed to social activities aimed at improving the lives of the poorer sections of society. His vision is to serve his country through his knowledge and contributions, guided by the belief that “Nation’s prosperity and economic development come first, and everything else follows.” His efforts continue to inspire and serve the community, and he is dedicated to the overall growth of India, fueled by honesty, integrity, sovereignty, and unity.

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