Personal philosophies or life mottos

I have always believed in the power of discipline, humility, and silent perseverance. Recognition, if it comes, must follow duty not precede it.

As a mentor and teacher, I view success not in my own achievements, but in the impact my students create across the world. I have never sought titles or positions for their own sake; instead, I've followed a lifelong motto: "Work without noise, let your work make the noise." My service in Odisha and India has always been driven by purpose, not ambition.

In science, as in life, I hold dear the value of ethical clarity, curiosity, and consistency. These principles have been my north star through five decades of research, teaching, and institution building.

Family background

I was born in Tali Tamparsara, a small village in Sambalpur, Odisha, to a humble and deeply rooted Odia family. My father, a farmer, and my mother, a homemaker, instilled in me the values of simplicity, hard work, and respect for learning even when resources were limited.

Ours was not a family of privilege, but of integrity and community service. My parents believed that education was the only true inheritance we could pass forward. I walked miles to school and studied under lantern light but those early challenges shaped my resolve to pursue knowledge with sincerity and grit.

The support of my family especially my wife and children has been my greatest strength. They stood by me through years of study, research, and institutional responsibilities. It is to them, and to my parents' early sacrifices, that I owe every achievement.

Even today, I remain deeply connected to my roots in Odisha. My commitment to building institutions in my home state stems not from nostalgia, but from gratitude and a desire to give back where it matters most.

Key childhood influences

Growing up in the quiet village of Tali Tamparsara in Odisha, I was shaped not only by my surroundings but by the values, resilience, and aspirations of my family and community. My parents, with limited formal education but unwavering belief in its power, instilled in me the virtues of discipline, humility, and perseverance. In those early years, education was not a privilege it was a lifeline, and their sacrifices etched that truth deeply into me.

Outside the home, I found lasting inspiration in the lives of towering figures whose stories reached even the remotest corners of Odisha. Prof. Prafulla Kumar Jena, with his pioneering spirit, taught me that innovation could emerge from regional roots. Dr. Prana Krushna Parija embodied the ideal of the scholar-statesman, who builds institutions as he builds minds. And on the national stage, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was a beacon his vision of engineering as public service left a permanent imprint on my understanding of professional purpose.

These formative influences, both personal and symbolic, nurtured in me a deep conviction: knowledge, when applied in service of others, becomes the most enduring legacy.

Inspirational teachers or early mentors

The arc of my academic journey has been profoundly shaped by the teachers and mentors who illuminated each stage of my path. At Tamparsara U.P. School, it was the village schoolmasters teaching with chalk in hand and hope in heart who first opened my eyes to the power of learning. Bamra High School further nurtured my moral compass, with teachers who taught by example emphasizing sincerity, discipline, and service above all.

When I arrived at UCE Burla, my understanding of engineering evolved under the guidance of dedicated faculty who combined technical depth with personal encouragement. Their belief in my potential emboldened me to pursue research and innovation. At IIT Kharagpur, my doctoral mentors challenged and refined my thinking, instilling in me the importance of scientific rigor, intellectual honesty, and humility in scholarship.

These mentors did more than teach they shaped character, awakened curiosity, and modeled integrity. Their influence continues to echo in every classroom I've entered, every student I've guided, and every project I've undertaken.