Aditya Patnaik,
Popularly Known as Bhai
The Founding Pillar of Antyodaya Chetana Mandal and a Die-Hard Gandhian
Born on 23rd OCT 1955
Because of his strong will power, good communication skills, compassionate heart, and disciplined lifestyle, Aditya Bhai earned the opportunity to work directly under the guidance of Acharya Vinoba Bhabe and Lokanayak Jaya Prakash Narayan. During his youth days, he has also been associated with other senior Gandhian leaders like Ramadevi, Malti Devi, Navakrishna Choudhury, Radhakrishna and many other inspiring personalities.
Moved by the concept of Sarvodaya for Antyodaya (Antyodaya means uplifting of the weakest section of the society and sarvodaya means development of all), Aditya Bhai has worked really hard in providing basic necessities such as education, trainings, livelihood, healthcare, hygiene, and sanitation to economically weaker people in the remotest villages of the Nation.
“Although I have directed all of my commitment & time to bring a positive change in our society through peaceful means, my journey is still on. I firmly believe in empowering the tribal and underprivileged communities with a sustainable livelihood, so that they too can live a better life like other human beings.”
– Aditya Patnaik
Profiles
Chairman, Voluntary Organisations of Odisha
Founder & Secretary, Antyodaya Chetana Mandal
Founder, Mahatma Gandhi Eye Hospital & Research Institute
Founder, Gandhi Gurukul
Founder of four intermediate colleges
National Coordinator, Gandhi Peace Centre
National Convenor, Sarvodaya Samaj
Trustee, Sewagram Gandhi Ashram, Wardha & Harijan Sevak Sangh, Delhi
Work Background
Joined J.P. Movement to fight off Social Injustice & Corruption in Uttar Pradesh
In 1977, Aditya Bhai joined the J.P. Movement against exploitation of Landlords and Liquor abuse in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. The peaceful protest compelled the Uttar Pradesh Government to impose laws on land rights, conservation of forest resources, and withdrawal of 25 liquor shops in the state.
Peaceful Conflict Resolution in Assam
After joining Gandhi Peace Movement under the vision of Gandhi Peace Foundation in 1979, Aditya Bhai went to Assam for peaceful Conflict resolution among the students and youth who were fighting for Political justice against the intruders in Assam (ASSU) All Assam Students Union.
Para-Legal Aid Camp in Odisha for Socially-unprivileged people
In 1983, Aditya Bhai organised the first-ever Para Legal Aid Camp for providing justice to the socially tortured poor communities, especially the Lodhas. Under the guidance of then High Court Chief Justice – Ranganath Mishra and other judiciary dignitaries, the camp was successfully settled at Balasore.
Joined Peace March in Amritsar during Blue-star operation
In 1984, when the Blue-Star Operation was in command, Aditya Bhai visited the Golden Temple, Amritsar as a Peace Activist, and worked there for months with the victims to bring peace & harmony among the Sikh community. He motivated the Sikh youths to drop violence and follow the Gandhian way of life.
World-Peace Conferences & Collaboration for a Better Future
During 1986-1995, Aditya Bhai has worked with many international organisations like Bread for the World and EZE to promote Gandhian way of sustainable livelihood in the rurals. He also participated in the South-South Solidarity event in South Africa and visited many under-developed African countries to study & improve their people’s living conditions.
Peace Campaign demanding the release of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes from Bank Locker
Aditya Bhai filed a legal petition in the Supreme Court with Raj Mohan Gandhi for the release of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes which were kept in a locker at SBI, Cuttack. Finally on 30th January 1997, the ashes were released and taken to the Ganga for the immersion by the Great grandson of Mahatma – Tushar Arun Gandhi with utmost dignity and respect.
Relief & Rehabilitation Program for 1999 Super Cyclone Victims in Odisha
Considering the huge devastation caused by the 1999 Super Cyclone, Aditya Bhai and ACM team distributed large amount of relief materials to the victims. Also, under his active guidance, a big check dam was constructed on river Hansua in Ersama block to regulate the flow of the river during disasters. 5000 villagers built the dam by volunteering and the dam was highly appreciated by the CM Naveen Pattnaik and many international social organisations.
Foundation of Mahatma Gandhi Eye Hospital in the interiors of Mayurbhanj, Odisha
To eradicate the blindness rate among the unreached tribal communities in Mayurbhanj district, Aditya Bhai founded an advanced eye hospital in a small village called Rangamatia. MGEHRI was inaugurated by Sj. Krishna Kant (Former Vice President of India) and Sj. Naveen Patnaik (Chief Minister of Odisha) on 28th December, 2000. The hospital is serving more than 5 million populace in the rurals and has successfully conducted more than 90,000 free surgeries ensuring clear vision to the poor ones.
Jal Surakshya Yatra Mission
Aditya Bhai launched a movement (Jal Surakshya Yatra) in Orissa against the privatization of water and linking the rivers under the leadership of Sri Rajendra Singh Rane, a Magsaysay award and the water man of India. The campaign covered 800 K.M. from the border of Chhattisgarh to Bhubaneswar covering all the tribal districts of West, North & Central Orissa.
Foundation of schools & colleges in tribal-dominated regions in Odisha
Considering the poor educational infrastructure and facilities in the tribal dominated districts, Aditya Bhai has founded fully-functional colleges & schools in different blocks – Rasgovindpur, Suliapada, Manida, and Tumudibandh. Tribal students are provided with Quality education and hostel facilities at free-of-cost.
Nomination to Committees/Organisations
Nominated as National Convenor of All India Sarvodaya Samaj
Nominated as a member of National Standing Committee of CAPART, a unit of Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India
Elected as Chairman of Voluntary Organisations (Odisha Action Groups, a platform to regulate all Odisha NGOs under one roof)
Nominated as Advisory Committee member to NSS, North Odisha University
Nominated as Trustee in SARVA SEVA SANGH, a forum of all India Sarvodaya Mandal
Nominated as National Khadi Mission, a platform to promote Khadi handcrafts
Appointed as Trustee of Gandhi Ashram at Sevagram, Maharashtra
Nominated as Organising Secretary of Utkal Sarvodaya Mandal
Nominated as Secretary of CVAO, a Gandhian forum established in Odisha
Nominated to Board of Directors in State Resource Centre, Bhubaneswar
Appointed as Member of SCERT Advisory Board, Government of Odisha
Appointed as Member of State Planning and Coordination Cell, Odisha Government
Nominated as State Member of Total Literacy Committee, Odisha
Nominated as National Member for the commemoration of Gandhi’s 150 Anniversary
Nominated as a Core Team Member of Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts
Felicitations & Recognitions
Awarded as a Change Maker by Ashoka International in India for social change
Felicitated with Anna Saheb Sahashra Budhey Award for bringing change in the lives of tribal communities of Koraput
Received Maharaja Sri Ramachandra Bhanj Deo Award by North Odisha Media on Social Work for the Poor and Tribal communities
Awarded with Silver Jubilee Meritorious Award by Centre for Rural Health and Community Education
Felicitated with Doctorate award in Social work by The Gurukul, Chennai
Felicitated with Peace Award by Indian Development Forum at Bangalore
Felicitated with Parivartan Award by BWW (An US-based Organization)
Felicitated by Odisha Media Group – AJIKALI, for driving community development in the interiors of Odisha
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