Madhulita Podcast | Ep-5 | ପଦ୍ମଚରଣ ନାୟକ | Padmacharan Nayak | Gandhian | Madhulita Parida | Part-1

Madhulita Podcast | Ep-5 | ପଦ୍ମଚରଣ ନାୟକ | Padmacharan Nayak | Gandhian | Madhulita Parida | Part-1 Padma Charan Nayak (born 30 January 1926) is a distinguished Indian Gandhian, freedom fighter, social reformer, and former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Odisha. Having dedicated his life to community service and public advocacy, he recently celebrated his centenary milestone, turning 100 years old in January 2026. Key Biographical Details Early Life: Born in Barakula village within the Kendrapara District of Odisha, his parents were Sri Jogendra Naik and Smt Malati Naik. Education: Active in student politics from his youth, he pursued higher studies in chemistry and earned a master's degree from the historical Ravenshaw College. Gandhian Footsteps: As a young man, he witnessed Mahatma Gandhi’s final visit to Odisha at the Cuttack railway station in 1946, an encounter that permanently shaped his social philosophy. Political Career Nayak contested the landmark 1952 general elections as an independent candidate, remarkably winning a seat while spending a total budget of only ₹1,550. He later aligned with the Praja Socialist Party (PSP) and was elected to the Third Odisha Legislative Assembly in 1961, representing the Rajnagar constituency. He stepped away from electoral politics after noticing a shift toward money and liquor influence, turning his focus entirely toward grassroots social work. His daughter, Archana Nayak, later carried forward the family's political legacy by serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kendrapara in 2004. Social Activism & Reform Anti-Liquor Crusade: He is the core architect and convener of the state-level anti-liquor advocacy network known as the Milita Odisha Nisha Nibarana Abhijan (MONNA). National Prohibition Advocacy: He has relentlessly petitioned leadership for complete national prohibition, even meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge for a liquor-free India aligned with Gandhian values. Literary Contributions: An accomplished columnist and biographer, he received the prestigious Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award in 1997 for his literary contributions. Madhulita Parida: Interviewer Madhulita Parida is a Bhubaneswar based journalist and editor. She is editing one of the leading family and women magazine Madhulita in Odia language. Also hosting the show Madhulita Podcast. #ExclusiveInterview #PrformerMLA #PadmacharanNayak #MadhulitaPodcast #GandhianSocialActivist #Kendrapara #Rajnagar #Mahakalpada #Bhubaneswar #MadhulitaParida #SocialActivism #Leadership #CommunityVoices #InspiringStories #VoicesOfChange #PoliticalInsights #Interviews #Activism #SocialChange #Engagement #MilitaOdishaNishaNibaranaAbhijan #MONNA