The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment -Eckhart Tolle
Dedication
This biography is, first and foremost, lovingly dedicated to my parents, Father, Mr. Nabin Nayak and Mother, Mrs. Charumani Parida whose unwavering support, love, and values have been the cornerstone of my journey and have shaped the woman I am today. Your strength, wisdom, and sacrifice have been the guiding lights of my life. You taught me the importance of resilience, compassion, and the belief that we must always strive to help others, no matter the challenges we face. Your teachings have remained my moral compass, and I carry your lessons with me in every step I take.
To my husband Mr. Rohit Kumar Yadav, your constant encouragement, unwavering belief in my vision, and unconditional support have been the foundation of everything I have achieved. Your partnership has given me the strength to pursue my dreams, and together, we have built not only a family but also a legacy of service and compassion. My son, Vaibhav Singh Yadav, you are the quiet force behind every success.
To my mother-in-law: your wisdom and kindness have been a steady source of support throughout my journey. Your nurturing spirit and belief in the power of community have been an inspiration, reminding me of the importance of family and togetherness in everything we do.
I am deeply grateful to him for keeping alive the memories of Mr. Biju Patnaik. I had a close association with him and hold countless cherished moments in my heart. It is truly through his memory and inspiration that this institution continues to run. Thank you for honoring and carrying forward his legacy with such sincerity.
This work is also dedicated to the children, women, and marginalized communities of Kandhamal, whose strength, resilience, and hope inspire me daily. It is your stories, your struggles, and your dreams that motivate me to continue working for a better tomorrow. This biography is a tribute to your perseverance and unwavering spirit.
To the entire team at SEVA and all the individuals who have worked alongside me in bringing about positive change in Kandhamal, I dedicate this to your selflessness, dedication, and tireless efforts to uplift those in need. Each of you has played an integral part in making SEVA the transformative force it is today, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
To the volunteers, donors, and partners who have supported SEVA’s mission, I thank you for believing in the cause and for being an essential part of this journey. Your contributions, big and small, have touched countless lives, and together, we are creating a brighter future for many.
Finally, this dedication is to the people of Kandhamal, my community, my heart. You have shown me the true meaning of resilience, hope, and the power of community. Every word in this biography is dedicated to your strength, your dreams, and your journey toward empowerment.
This journey, though told through my perspective, belongs to every person who has walked alongside me and SEVA. Thank you for your trust, your commitment, and your shared vision for a better future.
Dr. Nutan Nayak.
PHASE 1 A Foundation Built on Love and Hope
Don’t go through life, grow through it , Eric Butterworth
Dr. Nutan Nayak was born in the picturesque and rugged district of Kandhamal, nestled in the heart of Odisha. Her early years were shaped by the environment of this remote region, rich in natural beauty but marked by its socio-economic challenges. The lush hills and scenic landscapes of Kandhamal are home to diverse tribal communities, but the area is also one of the most underdeveloped in the state. Despite this, Nutan’s childhood was filled with warmth, love, and a sense of community that played a crucial role in her later success.
Her formative years were spent in the embrace of a close-knit family, where her mother stood as a beacon of strength, resilience, and wisdom. Her mother, a woman of humble beginnings, was the primary influence in shaping Dr. Nutan Nayak’s values and beliefs. Dr. Nutan Nayak credits her mother as her role model, not just for her wisdom and character but for the sacrifices she made to ensure Dr. Nutan Nayak had the best opportunities possible. In a district where education, especially for girls, wasn’t always prioritized, her mother relentlessly worked towards giving Dr. Nutan Nayak the education she deserved. Her determination to break societal constraints and provide her children with an opportunity for a better future set the stage for her aspirations.
Her father, though supportive, was often occupied with work and duties, but the nurturing environment provided by her mother ensured that Dr. Nutan Nayak learned the importance of perseverance, hard work, and the value of education. Her mother’s dedication to the family and her ability to balance traditional values with modernity left a lasting imprint on Dr. Nutan Nayak. As a child, Dr. Nutan Nayak attended a local school in Kandhamal, where the challenges of remote education were evident. However, she was fortunate enough to attend an English-medium school up to the eighth standard,
A privilege not afforded to many in her district. The school she attended not only provided a solid foundation in education but also instilled a deep appreciation for the importance of quality education. Despite the lack of resources in her region, Dr. Nutan Nayak’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning grew with each passing year. Her time in the English-medium school proved pivotal, offering her a chance to grasp the nuances of language and global perspectives that most children in the area didn’t have access to.
Dr. Nutan Nayak’s academic excellence set her apart, but it was the moral and ethical teachings from her family that really set the course for her life. Her family, particularly her mother, taught her that success in life wasn’t just about personal achievements, but also about contributing positively to society and supporting those in need. The values instilled in her during her childhood were not just rooted in formal education but in a deeper sense of community service and responsibility.
In her early years, Dr. Nutan Nayak didn’t just grow up in a typical rural setting; she was also exposed to the importance of education as a means of empowerment and societal progress. In a place where traditional gender roles often limited the opportunities available to women, her mother broke through these barriers, empowering her daughter to aim for greater heights. This personal backdrop gave Dr. Nutan Nayak a vision to challenge the status quo, pushing forward with determination and a passion for learning and service.
As Dr. Nutan Nayak continued to grow, her dreams expanded beyond the borders of Kandhamal. Yet, no matter how far she traveled or how much success she achieved, she always remained deeply connected to her roots. The teachings of her mother and the values passed down by her family shaped her every decision and action in the years that followed. Her commitment to community service, particularly to uplifting women, children, and marginalized groups, was not only a professional choice but a life mission embedded in her childhood experiences.
Her journey was not an easy one, but her family’s unwavering support gave her the strength to overcome the barriers she faced. Dr. Nutan Nayak’s story, marked by the influence of her mother’s sacrifices and the warmth of a community-oriented upbringing, reflects the resilience and determination of a woman who sought to make a difference in her own life and in the lives of others.
In her later years, Dr. Nutan Nayak would come to realize the invaluable lessons her mother taught her – that family support, education, and the willingness to contribute to society are the key ingredients for achieving success. These lessons would guide her throughout her educational career, her tenure at SEVA, and the impactful work she continues to do for the marginalized communities of Kandhamal. The story of Dr. Nutan Nayak, rooted in the family and childhood experiences in Kandhamal, is a testament to the power of determination, familial love, and the drive to make a meaningful change.
PHASE 2 Education and the Birth of SEVA
Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value , Albert Einstein
Dr. Nutan Nayak’s academic journey, filled with determination and an unwavering commitment to knowledge, paved the way for her future contributions to society. Raised in a rural and isolated district, Dr. Nutan Nayak’s early access to an English medium school was a rare and invaluable opportunity. Her educational journey, though interrupted by the challenges posed by her remote locality, equipped her with skills and knowledge that later became the foundation of her social and professional endeavors.
After completing her studies up to the 8th grade at the English medium school, Dr. Nutan Nayak‘s educational journey took her further along a path that would eventually shape her destiny. She went on to pursue higher education, eventually obtaining a Master’s degree in Journalism and a Bachelor’s degree in Education. These qualifications provided her not just academic strength, but also a platform to communicate her ideas, articulate her thoughts, and challenge the limitations imposed on her by society. Journalism helped her develop a keen understanding of society’s issues, while her degree in education nurtured her desire to make a tangible impact on her community’s growth.
But her academic achievements were not just about personal success; they were deeply intertwined with her sense of social responsibility. During her college years, Nutan realized that education was the key to breaking the shackles of poverty, ignorance, and marginalization. She was deeply affected by the lack of opportunities in her district, especially for the women and children of the backward communities. This realization drove her to seek a more active role in her community. She believed that education was not just about personal growth, but a powerful tool that could bring about societal transformation.
In the year 2001, her life took a decisive turn when she joined SEVA (Social Evolutionary Volunteers’ Association), an organization dedicated to social change and the upliftment of marginalized communities. SEVA had its roots in the vision of late Dr. Gopinath Mohanty, a Yajnapima award-winning figure who inspired a group of young social workers to bring about a positive change in central Odisha, particularly in the Kandhamal district. The organization’s mission was to address the lack of access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities, especially for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC), as well as women and children in the rural areas.
SEVA was born out of a collective desire to bring development to the most neglected sections of the society. It focused on social and economic development, particularly addressing the educational and vocational needs of women and children. In this environment, Dr. Nutan Nayak saw the opportunity to not only apply her education but to create meaningful changes for those who had been deprived of basic human rights.
The decision to join SEVA marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Dr. Nutan Nayak immersed herself in the organization’s work and soon became a key figure within SEVA. As she started participating in various programs aimed at promoting literacy, women’s empowerment, and healthcare, she was able to merge her educational background with her deep commitment to social service. Her role in SEVA was multifaceted, ranging from grassroots-level intervention to advocacy and policy engagement. Her journey with SEVA became more than just a career, it became a calling, and she knew that her work would define her life.
PHASE 3 A Vision for Empowerment and Social Change
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us , Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dr. Nutan Nayak’s journey with SEVA (Social Evolutionary Volunteers’ Association) has been transformative, both for herself and for the communities she serves. Her role as Secretary of SEVA marked a turning point in her life, a period when she could truly merge her education, leadership skills, and deep-rooted passion for social change. As Secretary, she took on multiple roles that demanded vision, dedication, and a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized groups in the rural areas of Kandhamal, Odisha.
SEVA, since its inception in 1985, has been at the forefront of social and economic development in the region, particularly in addressing the pressing issues of education, health, women’s empowerment, and livelihood for the disadvantaged communities, especially the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC). However, Dr. Nutan Nayak’s leadership brought a new energy to the organization. Her background in education and journalism provided her with the right mix of communication skills and academic insight, which became critical in SEVA’s efforts to scale its impact.
As Secretary, her first task was to streamline the operations of SEVA, ensuring that the organization’s various programs were effective, efficient, and aligned with its mission. She believed that the key to SEVA’s success lay in focusing on grassroots-level issues, such as access to education for tribal children, skill development for women, and improving healthcare infrastructure in remote areas. Her deep understanding of the challenges of rural life in Kandhamal helped her craft initiatives that were both realistic and impactful.
One of the major areas where her leadership was evident was in the expansion and management of educational programs. Recognizing that education is the bedrock of all progress, she worked tirelessly to ensure that quality education reached the children of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PTGs) in the districts of Daringbadi, Tumudibandh, and Belaghar. Nutan’s vision was clear: to provide children from these underprivileged communities with the tools they needed to break the cycle of poverty and ignorance. She oversaw the establishment of schools in these areas, ensuring that they catered to the unique needs of tribal children while maintaining high academic standards.
But Dr. Nutan Nayak’s approach to education was not limited to building schools. She also focused on the holistic development of students. She implemented vocational training programs in conjunction with formal education, aiming to equip students with practical skills that would help them build a livelihood. These programs ranged from agriculture and handicrafts to small-scale industries, ensuring that students not only learned to read and write but were also prepared to meet the demands of the modern job market.