Change Maker Mahendra Kumar Nayak

Social Reformer Mahendra Kumar Nayak is a native of most backward remote Village Dengaguda (Baspur), NABARANGPUR District, Odisha born on 1991 in a very poor family.  He is an energetic voluntary Social worker and working for the downtrodden people. He started his social involvement from childhood. He is dedicated his life towards social service. He got inspiration for social work from School Teachers and parents.He starts works for the welfare of orphans and economically poor people of Tribal Area. From childhood he says, If you don’t stop nothing can stop you.

He Completed M.Phil (Tribal Studies) at COATS, Koraput, under Berhmpur University, Odisha, M. Com, MA in Rural Devt. and PGJMC from IGNOU,  in his own resources, doing part time job in Computer institute and SEEWA (NGO) during his college days. He has received many awards for his contribution to the society for his contribution towards Youth development, Women’s Empowerment, wildlife protection and Bio-diversity conservation.

He had rendered “National Youth Award-2014-15” from Government of India, “State Social Service Award-2015-16“from Sports and Youth Service Deptt., Govt of Odisha, “Prakruti Bandhu-2014-15”and “BijuPattnaik Wildlife Conservation Award-2015-16” from Dept. forest and Environment, Govt. of odisha. He is recognized as YOUTH ICON of the district as well as the best Volunteer of the district from Indian Redcross, Ngpur.Received FIRST prize in “State Level Human Rights Day ESSAY Competition” on Dec 10, 2009 from LEPRA SOCIETY, “PRITHVI MITRA” Puraskar from EARTH Matters Foundation of New Delhi, Odisha Youth Inspiration Award-2016 by Odisha Diary, Best Social Worker Award by SAMAJ & LOK SEVAK MANDAL, Odisha, RastriyaVikashRatna Award by EGSI, NewDelhi & Rajeev Gandhi PrativaPuraskar for Literature. Also bagged so many National and state level prizes in his life.He has fully committed himself to doing Voluntary work at National and State Level.

He is working as a multidimensional contributor, works mostly as a reformer and servant. He bears a larger organization skill in the locality in rendering his service to the community bearing is social responsibility with a secular bent of mind. His outstanding work in the field of national development and social work is now role model for others. His efforts have endeared the social fraternity and the people of odisha in particular and India as a whole.

His activities in the field of social work like National Integration & communal Harmony, Anti Child Labour, Massive Tree plantation, Voluntary Blood donation, Girl child education, Youth leadership & community development, Skill development, women’s empowerment,Girl Child Education, Gender Equality for increase literacy rate,Swachha or Nirmal Bharat Aviyan, awareness campaigns is highly appreciated. He works at the grassroots level to involve rural youths in nation building activities. He was also interested in SHG Management, Youth & Women’s Empowerment, Children’s education, Management and Rehabilitation Community, Health & sports, Agriculture, Hygiene and Sanitation, Environment, Leadership, Creating Awareness & Micro Planning for Tribal Development activities.

Activities started from Primary School, Garden work to Participate in different Social and Cultural Activities organized by different organization, He form 2 children’s Groups called Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subash Kids group, when he was 13. Later he Joined Bharat Scout and Guide and Junior Red Cross As a Sergeant (Team Leader) during his High School Study at Govt. Boy’s High School, Jeypore. Participate So many Training Camps In odisha.

During his college days, actively work with students community, formed a Student’s welfare Group with 10 senior and Junior friends, they are associated with College Youth Red Cross and NSS, during this period organized 12 Blood Grouping camp, HIV Aids Awareness, Plantation, Health Camps, Mini Marathon, Yoga Camp, Help Camps, Eye Camps, safety, Child Rights, RTE, No Polio campaign, Science Exhibitions, Campus Cleaning Cultural programmes, seminars, Students rally, Signature campaign to eradicate Polio, Ban on Gutkha and work in hospitals, work in Cheshire homes, orphanages, homes for the aged etc.and so many welfare activities. At that time he also actively participated a nationalistic Students organization namely Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which are working for the all round development of the student community, above from politics. He also took different responsibility of ABVP as Town Secretary of Jeypore & Nabarangpur Unit, Zilla Pramukha, State Executive Member and other various responsibilities. For the better health of the youths and the locality he was actively involve Yoga shibir through a Patanjali Yoga samitee and every day organized Yoga in morning at college. After completed his graduation in Commerce, actively working with the people’s welfare, provide hands for help to needy peoples and participate in different govt. programmes as a youth leader. Day after day he totally dedicate myself for the youth and community development with different or reputed organization; He voluntarily working with Nabarangpur Nagarik Manch, Aama Odisha, SEEWA, BISWASS, SSED, Rotary Club, Yuva Vikash Kendra, Battle Club, Nabarangpur & Jeypore Blood Donor’s Motivators Forum, Young Blood Donors forum, Nabarangpur PrakrutiBandhu Forum, Dandakaranya Council of Culture, Viswa Yuvak Kendra, HEARD, Press Club, Lions club, Govindalaya and other Voluntary organization.

During College Career, As a Top volunteer of NSS & YRC of NabarangpurColegehesensitizes students to donate blood, planted trees, environment clean, AIDS Awareness and preliminary health care activities. As a youth leader of the college days he conductedMini Marathon, Cultural programmes, seminars, Students rally, Signature campaign to eradicate Polio, Ban on Gutkhaand work in hospitals, work in Cheshire homes, orphanages, homes for the aged etc.He Received 3 National Level, 9 State Level, 13 Zonal Level and Morethan 50 Prize in district level Competition.

After completed graduation, he was actively working with the people’s welfare, provide hands for help to needy peoples and participate in different govt. programmes as a youth leader. Day after day totally dedicate him self for the youth and community development with different or reputed organization;with the leadership of Sri. Nayak Free Help Camps, Jalachatraswill open.He voluntary donate blood 16 times in different camps and poor people; also organize 138 Blood donation Camp in undivided Koraput district.

During Master in Rural Devt. Study,  He create a social Innovation forums among rural youth, They thinks about the Local areas development through Governance, Trained to PRI Members in the rural development process, which improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in relatively isolated and sparsely populated areas. With the help of Local PRI members the team successfully creates the social and economic improvement of the rural areas through HEARD (Health, Environment, Education and Rural Development) Concept in five Blocks of Nabarangpur and SEARCH (Social Education, Action and Research in Community Health) approach in another five Blocks of Nabarangpur with the help of Local NGO. Through this approach we Provide Helps to needy Peoples through Govindalaya Ambulance Service, Voluntary Blood donors motivation, Enrol Child to Nearest Anganawadis and Schools, Aware people to Stop early Stop Girl Child Marriage, Child Labour, plantation in Waste lands, Social Security or Govt. Schemes awareness among the people, Youth Participation in Gram Sabha and PalliSabha Meeting, PDS system, Awareness about Panchayati Raj, Human Rights, Life Skill education, Skill Devt. Programmes, Tribal Health Camps, Village cleaning Drives etc.

He was the 1^st NYC volunteer of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Nabarangpur, he formed More than 250 Youth Clubs, 41 Ladies Club, 62 SHGs, 5 NGOs, 3 Trusts in most backward Nabarangpurdist of Odisha. Among these Youth Organizations,Youth for Rural Devt., SSED, GanapatiYubakSangha, PRAYAS, Nabina Mahilamandal, VARASA, Gopabandhu YubakSangha, READ, SEEWA, Youth, BabaGhumureswar is the Leading Organization in Odisha. With his leadership SadvabanaDiwas, Gandhi Jayanti or World Non-violence day,Rastriya Hindi Diwas, National Youth Week, Vigilance Awareness week, Youth Rally, Children’s day or Nehru JayantiNational integration,Massive Tree Plantation, Banyan &Peepal Tree Plantation & protection campaign, AIDS Awareness, Swine flue, Malaria Awareness, Pulse Polio, Road safety,Voters Awareness week, workshop, National Unity Day, QuamiEktaDiwasin all over the district for encouraging youth to participate enthusiastically in the process of national development, and promote national integration through democratic living and cooperative action. He conducted 46 Skill up-gradation Training Prgm. (Short term & Long Term) for empowerment of women in Tailoring, Computer training, Agarbati Making, BadiPapad Making, Mushroom cultivation & Candle making trade and get More than 1200 young women Self employed. He is Trained Rural Youth about Leadership & community Devt., Youth Policy, different Govt. Schemes in Maoist prone tribal dominated most backward undivided Koraput district of odisha through  Folk art & culture Program & Sports Meet. With the Help of SEEWA (NGO) in his leadership near about 1600 solar light distribute in Tribal area, where No electricity facility. He voluntarily conducted or Campaign for creating aware about Odisha State Youth Policy, BijuYuvaSashaktikaranYojna (BYSY), OdishaPanchayatiraj system, Shakti Vartta, NidhiMausa Malaria Awareness campaign, Odisha Social Security Rath, KrushiRath, self- defenceprogramme, State Women’s Policy, Life Skill Education in Maoist area of Nabarangpur, successfully conducted Active Citizenship Programme among college youth, Promote Statue Cleaning, SBM, PMJDY, Start up India, National Youth Policy & Rajiv Gandhi KhelAviyan Activities from Grass root level. He also attends 5 National Integration Camp, 3 national Youth Festival, 2 Tribal Youth Festival, 3 State Level Youth Convention and so many Camps in or out side of the State.

He regular counselling to rural Unemployed Youth club and SHG members for Youth leadership, Community Development, Women’s Empowerment through SHGS, Awareness generation on Skill Development and Self-employment, Life Skill education in tribal Schools with the help of BijuYuvaShasaktikaranYojana, Odisha State and National Youth Policy, Gild Child Education, develop Unemployed youth skills, imparting behavioural education to unemployed youth, Sensitization training on Skill Development, Motivation and Confidence Building to stop large scale migration of manpower from rural areas to urban areas. Taken More than fifty Behavioral Education classes in different trainings institutes of Undivided Koraput District, Conducted Entrepreneurship or Self Employment Awareness Programme (EAP) in remote blocks of Nabarangpur district with the help of NGO Prayas and SSED in collaboration with SBRSETIs, Visited to the successful enterprise and provided hand holding support to the Livelihood staffs of the OLM and NYKS.

“Malnutrition issue of Dangariguda small Village of Jharigam Block under Nabarangpur district has changed my life. SaheedLaxmanNaik, a tribal freedom fighter who is ideal for me and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, his vision convert me to as a change agent from childhood. I’m now a Youth Consultant for Some Govt. And Non- Govt. organization and can lead youth empowerment workshops, seminars around the country using the voluntarism tools I have learned from childhood. What I am most proud of is that I was able to bring the change in tribal community and inspire other youth to take leadership roles in their communities.” He increased young people’s self-confidence and their perception of themselves as leaders and allies through Youth leadership and community Development.Improved both youth and adults’ ability to deal with internal conflicts and collaborate more effectively. Through Youth Red Cross and NYKS, this organization and the youth more successful in achieving their social justice mission.During the volunteer ship in Nehru Yuva Kendra, Nabarangpur.

Since mid-2013, Mahendra Kumar Nayak started the 'Youth Vote for India' initiative with the belief that the healthy voter lists is one of the prerequisites for a vibrant democracy. He walk with local BLOs daily for door-to-door voter verification with his friend AnupBebartta and Local NYCs of NYKS, new voter enrolment and online submission of new voters' registration forms are the key activities of the initiative. A small Awareness camp also organized in tribal dominated Block of Nabarangpur constituency between 2013 and 2014 where thousands of new voters are being enrolled by the daily door-to-door activity by the 'Youth Vote for India', also success this mission with NYC team by Mahendra Kumar Nayak. He campaigned for participate in voting system at tribal affected block, New enroll in voter registration in undivided Koraput district.

He believed in education that could help the child to grow mentally, physically and spiritually. His system allowed children of all castes and backgrounds to sit together dine together and study together. He voluntarily teaches in some tribal schools of Undivided Koraput District. Every child deserves a chance to learn. However, in India, there are still many uncountable children out there who are uneducated because they are unable to afford this basic necessity of a school kit which many of us take for granted. Since 2009, the school kit Distribution drive has been trying to reach out to children in the rural areas.  Each year, his entire teams distribute the school kits among 5000 Children in different Children Home, Rural School with the Help of SEEWA & MTPL. Education Materials Like, Books, Test papers, Pen, Note Books, Shoes, cloths etc. Till date, Near about 40,000 School Kits children, majority in rural areas, through the School Kit Distribution to Deserve or poor Child. Due to illiteracy and blind belief among Tribals, Branding is a big issue in Undivided Koraput district.

Despite significant advancement in medical science, people believe in superstition to get rid of health complications and diseases. This practice of traditional branding or inflicting burns over the body as a remedy for illnesses such is a harmful practice prevalent in undivided Koraput district. Children and young babies are worst affected by this practice, which causes serious ill health and delays in seeking proper medical care. The child is taken to a local traditional healer who administers the brand mark on different parts of the body based on where he thinks is the place where the disease lurks. The most commonly used instrument is the tip of a hot metal rod. Other objects like heated nails, wires, incense sticks and hot bangles can also be used to brand the child. The children usually belong to a poor illiterate rural family where branding is a continuing tradition prevalent through many generations in a nod to prevent branding, I have start Jyoti Campaign with the help of the district administration aware in 100 villages.

He is actively creating awareness with Dist. Administration and a Youth team, from grass root level to stop branding of children, to educate people to go to nearest hospitals or health centres rather than to the “Dishari”. I have also voluntarily teaches on Mall Nutrition and Branding issues in different tribal schools, ASHAs, Anganawadis, SHGs of undivided Koraput.  He engaged a volunteer of MaaGhar and NabinaMahilaMandal, he campaign about Malnutrition, Branding, Girl Child marriage issues, He successfully conducted "Kanya Santan Surakhya Abhiyan" to spread awareness regarding female infanticide in undivided Koraput District from 2015.

When He realized that majority of these poor people are suffering from violations of human rights at different levels and they are unaware about their own rights. He was witness to different occasions of denial of basic rights of people at Government offices, hospitals, police stations etc.He is known for raising his voice about issues surrounding children and the weaker sections of society in India. He is also known for his contributions to various government and private institutions in these fields.Youth for Human Rights, RTI Awareness campaign through his team in undivided Koraput districts.

National Youth Awardee Mr. Mahendra Kumar Nayak is an eminent personality in the field of Bio-diversity Conservation and Wildlife Protection. Because from his childhood, he take initiative to protection of Natural resources and wildlife in Koraput district with his school friends and present papers about the “Survey of Species and Animals : steps for their conservation of Satiguda and Patraput forest of Jeypore Range” in state level NCSC-2006, his field study is appreciated by all the State level Judge. He has been protecting wild animal since 2008. He has been actively involved for the rescue of wild animals for last 12 years and above. His efforts towards protection and maintenance of wildlife habitats are really appreciable. He has been reducing conflicts between man & animal in the districts of Koraput and Nabarangpur. He has been organizing so many awareness campaigns for the protection of wildlife in Youth Clubs, VSS, MahilaMandals, SHGs, Schools, colleges. After his active awareness among rural and urban now they are started plantation in school, colleges, Churches, Smashans, Temples, Hospitals, wastelands, protect forest and animal; conserve bio-diversity of the locality.

              For Mahendra Kumar Nayak of Nabarangpur district, “Plant a tree, plant a new life; take care of a tree and it will take care of you,” isn’t just a saying. He has been following the same principle from his childhood. This 25-year-old young man sets out on a mission to plant trees and donate foods to Monkeys, Deers, Bats etc. every morning, also aware people Collect seeds and sows seeds wherever he gets a chance may be it  in roadside or patches of fields, he also doing this activities from last some years. His friends lovingly call him Gacha&BanyapraniRakhyak (Tree & Wildlife Protector),a title he truly deserves. He is regularly organized World Forestry Day (March-21), VanaMahotsav, and Wildlife Week (2nd - 9th October) and International day for bio-diversity (May-22). His future plan is Conserve and regenerate bamboo forests, Cover all Rural and urban roads under avenue plantation, Enhancement of forest resource based livelihood option with community participation, Open medicinal plants Nursey in Every block. He start a eco-club & seed bank in his school, Also start to aware among child member of Eco-club during his schooling at Govt. boys High school, Jeypore, Dist- Koraput. From that day, this young man clears his vision to work for Bio-diversity conservation and wild life protection. During BentaJatra and Dusheratribals are victim Wildlife’s, animals, and feast with animals, after he create awareness “BentaJatra” will stopped in locality, Baby Bamboo “KARADI” cutting also stopped after aware. He has rescued wounded snakes, peacocks, Bears, Monkey from populated area. He has rescued many snakes from educational institutions of the locality. He has organized different awareness campaigns for conservation and protection of bats at Papadahandi, Tentulikhunti block, GunduribanchaoAviyan in Umerkote&Raighar, Love Animal Programme conducted in Dabugam&Nandahandi, Save Bear Programme in Chandahandi&Jharigam of Nabarangpur. He has created mass awareness to conserve wild animal in the local forest. Now people are award for the protection of wildlife as they are realizing that wildlife should be conserved for healthy environment as well as ecological balance. For his continuous effort in the above localities the hunting of wild animal has been stopped. His many articles related to wildlife and biodiversity conservation was published in leading daily Newspapers and magazines. He is focusing the people’s attention towards the importance of conservation of the wild life.As a Social worker he was voluntary Protect natural environment, Conservation of areas of cultural heritage of Undivided Koraputdestrict.

Every year he was conducting a massive Mashal Motor Rally on PapadahandiGulikandDiwason 24^th August every year at Nabarangpur to PapadahandiSaheedMinarwith Massive rural youth participants.He organized State level Gandhi and Peace Conference in Nabarangpur, Peace march participate More than 5000 people &take pledge to make Liquor free World and Violence free Society at Nabarangpurwith the help of MaaGhara and SSSSS.He is very enthusiastic, spirited and talented youth of odisha, who served people in need on different occasions at will. He is a dedicated social worker and above all a jubilant youth who is ready to serve the neediest of the society. Each Year on 14 April, the Birthday of he has been instrumental in organizing a public awakening “Walk for Caste free india” in undividedkoraput district during Tribal Folk Art Festival- Mondei, PARAB, Chaiti and Malyabanta towards eradicating the evil of casteism, which is more potent danger to the Indian society than dreaded diseases as AIDS & Cancer. This walk has grown over the years with leaders from every section of the society cutting across ideologies and beliefs uniting for the cause.

He established a Youth Livelihood Support Core Team to spread awareness regarding water, Land, Animal and Bio-diversity conservation in watershed areas. He carried out awareness campaign for Massive tree Plantation and bio-diversity Conservation among the VSS and MWS. He worked extensively to construct check dams, Plantation in waste Lands, integrated farming systems, Provide loans through Watershed to SHGs, Common Interest groups (Male SHGs) across Watershed area by community participation and government support.

His own written articles and research papers published in different odia daily news papers and state level magazines. (a) Research Project in Socio-educational devt. Of Girl child education in undivided Koraput Dist. (b) Research in Human Rights for ST/SC/Women/ Children Rights & Contribution of Dr. B. R Ambedkar in Nation Devt., (c) Role of Youth in Nation Building, (d) Role of Youth in forest/water/oil Conservation, Role of Youth in controlling HIV & AIDS, (e) Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all women and girls, (f) Infrastructure Development in Tribal Districts, (g) Role of BijuPattnaik in Panchayatiraj& Women’s Empowerment, (h) Anti-Polythene/Plastic Campaign in Swachh Bharat Mission, (i) Educate the people to remove the idea of un-touchability among them, (j)Role of Panchayat raj in Tribal devt., (k) Tribal women’s empowerment through SHGs, (l) Socio-economic conditions of Kandhs/Parajas (m) Tribes of Undivided Koraput District, (n) An Empirical study  on Health Services Delivery and  Tribal Communities of Odisha, (o) Safe Drinking Water and Improved Sanitation in Rural India etc.

He is a frequent participant in conferences on sanitation, health and social progress around the India. He is actively engaged at the grass root level with the youth in the state odisha through multi-faceted activities, He also raised donation for orphanages, Prime Minister’s National Relief fund (PMNRF). With his leadership 1^st time in National Youth Festival- 2016 history at Raipur, the help of National Youth Awardees of different regions, Raipur NYK and Raipur Red Cross Blood Bank we have collect more than 275 units of blood. During this festival we also create awareness for Swachha Bharat & Green India Mission Startup India, Standup India.

His trying is to the trusts areas of the society like- Education for all, prohibition of drug addiction, Sanitation, Road safety, HIV/AIDS and Malaria, Blood Donation Camp, A forestation, Women empowerment, Child Nutrition and vaccination and help to the poor orphans, destitute and the old.

Presently, He is working in RUDSET Institute, Bhubaneswar as a Youth Counselor or office Assistant to promote entrepreneurship especially among rural youths also promote Rural Development activities. He facilitate self-employment through developing self-confidence among the youth, build up capital in rural India through better utilisation of resources and transfer of appropriate technology, Increased awareness among the people to go for self-employment ventures. Through excellent liaison with various Government Departments, Developmental Agencies, Banks and networking with other NGO’s, RUDSET Institute has been able to provide support to the trained entrepreneurs for establishing their ventures.  He conducts Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes to sensitise the youth towards self-employment as an alternative career in collaboration with colleges, volunteer organisations, banks, etc. also provides training to bank officials, in rural development activities to facilitate identification of potential rural entrepreneurs and credit appraisal. He was voluntarily Conducted no. of 'Personality Development Programmes' for the elected representatives and Government officials to enhance the delivery mechanism of welfare schemes of the Government. He was trained to Village level workers of several voluntary organisations/commercial organisations working for rural development, social animators and Self-Help Group. Generally young people have gained some experience in life.  This experience serves as a launching pad for accelerated learning. It is therefore possible to train young people in a short period of 1 to 6 weeks to enhance and enlarge behavioural dimensions such as increased awareness, understanding, knowledge, skill and formation of positive attitude.

His future plans for marking further improvement in the relevant area of work as follows:-

Ø  To motivate rural tribal youths of odisha and India for the social and economical development.Access to justice for marginalized people and social relevant legal education through create awareness in rural areas.

Ø  To create awareness about e-governance and Panchayat Raj System among tribal people, voluntary establish ICT education centre in every village for total computer literacy program.

Ø  Single school for drop outs, child labor and girl child in urban slum or rural area.

Ø  Voluntary blood donation campaign in tribal area and green India Mission through massive tree plantation.

Ø  Work as a catalyst in bringing sustainable change in the lives of underprivileged children, youth and women, with a life-cycle approach of development.

Ø  To motivate rural youth for the Skill development and Self Employment, Provide Employability Training/Skills training for Underserved Youth from grass root level with Gender Equality.

Ø  Healthy and self-reliant community life with dignity ensuring equal opportunity, rights, liberty, justice that enables participation, informed decision- making and creates ability to resolve the issues. 

Ø  Capacitating the weaker section, especially the women and the tribal’s through skill building, leadership development, micro credit, natural resource management and increasing demand generation of entitlements with a special focus on enhancing opportunity for sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance. 

Ø  To establish and construct shelter homes for aged/disabled/ neglected/ distressed women kind with food, vocational training and clothing along with medical care.

Ø  Work as a Motivator to make Mall Nutrition free & Healthy society in backward district of odisha, aware people about MDG and to improve maternal and child health conditions and reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rates.

Ø  His Mission To develop and facilitate processes that improves quality of life of people and a caring and equitable society, free of deprivation and Strife is my Vision. An equitable society where women and men can freely realize their full potential, fulfill their rights and responsibilities and lead their life with dignity and self-respect.

Ø  Want to set up a Skill school in Industrial Area and spread literacy among the tribal people, drop outs, Illiterate child labor and girl child in urban slum or rural area. Bringing sustainable change in the lives of underprivileged children, youth and women children of daily labor of Industrial area.

Ø  To create awareness about different Govt. Schemes among tribal people, and Motivating People to assist the elderly, physically challenged and voluntary trained computer & financial literacy among the rural people. Already plan to adopt a backward GP and Make a Smart Gram Panchayat, every village will have basic facilities with Green & total sanitation.

Ø  Plan to Create National level Awareness for Massive tree plantation, Bio-diversity conservation, wildlife protection and Disaster Management. To establish old age home, short stay home, children home, aids home rehabilitation centre, recreation centre etc.

Ø  To promote and create interest in yoga, meditation, exercise for health, self-defense, judo and karate and other conventional methods of mental and physical pieces of the backward and weaker sections in the locality.