Eminent Gandhian, former MLA, and president of the ‘Milita Odisha Nisha Nibarana Abhijana’, Padma Charan Nayak, has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of the state-level Pradyumna Bal Jayanti Committee for 2025.
The two-day celebration, scheduled for November 7 and 8, will honour the legacy of Pradyumna Bal, the founder Editor of Pragativadi, a visionary leader, and a champion of value-based journalism.
Born on January 30, 1926, in Badkul village of Kendrapara district, the 99-year-old Nayak has a storied legacy as a freedom fighter and social reformer. In 1961, he was elected as an independent MLA from the Rajnagar constituency in Kendrapara. Initially associated with the Communist Party, he later joined the Praja Socialist Party in 1965. Over the years, Nayak distanced himself from active politics to dedicate his life to social service and nation-building.
A distinguished alumnus of Ravenshaw College, Nayak holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Chemistry. Beyond his political and social contributions, he is a noted columnist and writer, widely respected for his intellectual and literary work.
The upcoming Pradyumna Bal Jayanti Samaroh— 93rd Birth Anniversary of Pradyumna Bal— will celebrate the life and contributions of Bal, who stood for principled journalism and social reform. Nayak, expressing his delight at the appointment, has accepted the role with enthusiasm. The committee is expected to be restructured soon to ensure the smooth execution of the event.
Notably, the 2023 edition of the event was chaired by prominent Gandhian Krishna Mohanty, while in 2024, Odisha’s former Chief Minister and veteran politician Dr. Giridhar Gamang led the committee. The 2025 celebration promises to uphold the tradition of honouring Bal’s legacy with fervour and commitment.
