As we near the conclusion of 2023 and prepare to enter a new year, it’s worth reflecting on the individuals from Odisha who prominently captured headlines, whether for commendable or contentious reasons. Among the figures that stood out and became newsmakers, their actions and presence in the spotlight shaped discussions and perceptions throughout the year in various spheres.
Naveen Patnaik
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on June 24 this year achieved a remarkable milestone, equaling the record set by former West Bengal CM Jyoti Basu as the second longest-serving Chief Minister in India.
Patnaik on June 24 held the position for an impressive 23 years and 138 days, sharing this rank with the late veteran CPI (M) leader.
VK Pandian
In a surprise move VK Pandian, the power centre of the Naveen Patnaik government took voluntary retirement from Indian Administrative Service (IAS) on October 23 this year amid speculations over a full-time political role.
The Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, on October 23 approved Pandian’s request for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), waiving the notice period as recommended by the state government.
Pandian, the 2000-batch IAS officer who was private secretary to Naveen since 2011, a day after he quit IAS, was appointed to a Cabinet rank as Chairman 5T and Nabin Odisha.
Pandian joined the BJD on November 27, Kartik Purnima, considered to be an auspicious day in the state.
Pramila Mallik
Senior BJD leader Pramila Mallik was on September 22 this year elected as the first woman Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
Mallik nominated by BJD president Naveen Patnaik as the party’s candidate for the post was elected unopposed.
She is a six-time MLA from Binjharpur Assembly Constituency and was first elected in the year 1990 on Janata Dal ticket and from 2000 on Biju Janata Dal ticket.
She has also held different portfolios as Cabinet Minister in Naveen Patnaik’s BJD government and Chief whip of the party in the state assembly.
Kishore Jena
Odia athlete Kishore Jena scripted history by clinching a silver medal in the Men’s Javelin throw at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Jena, a resident of Kothasahi in Puri district bagged the medal with a personal best throw of 87.54m. With this, he booked a berth for participating in the Paris Olympics 2024.
Though Jena was born into a poor family, he defeated poverty with his strong willpower. To support his family, Jena chose sports as a career option. His goal was to try and land a job with the Indian Army through sports quota.
Incidentally, it was his talent with the javelin which landed him a job with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Bhopal in 2018.
Dr Swati Nayak
Dr Swati Nayak, an Odia scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) received the prestigious Norman E Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application in a ceremony at the 2023 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue October 24-26 in Des Moines, Iowa (US).
Nayak received the award for her innovative approach to engaging farmers in demand-driven rice seed systems.
The World Food Prize Foundation described Nayak as an “outstanding young scientist.”
