“I feel like a Dog with two Tails to elucidate about the Jim-Dandy achievements of people from my community, in my upcoming book christened as ‘Odia Christian Luminaries‘. I have Worked my Fingers to the Bone to get this book printed, published & launched after its compilation. I am having Ants in my Pants at the prospect of readers reading this book and giving their feedback. I urge all to procure copies & read this book in detail after which they can give their review & critique on this. After all, the Proof of Pudding is in the eating.”, says Barendra Kumar, the author of upcoming book ‘Odia Christian Luminaries’.
This book which was supposed to release during November 2019 has been delayed indefinitely due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, Barendra managed to give copies of the book to Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha at Naveen Niwas as well as Hon’ble Governor of Odisha at Raj Bhawan. Both the C.M. & Governor have appreciated the book.
Barendra Kumar who served as Editor-in-Chief of Trailblazer,a monthly motivational magazine and a Member of Indian Speakers Bureau had previously authored the bestseller “CAN is the Word of Power”, a book which has been widely eulogized by people like Former President APJ Abdul Kalam, Father of Green Revolution M.S. Swaminathan, Former Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, Former Odisha Governor Rameshwar Thakur among others. That book of his has sold over one lakh copies in India & abroad. Invigorated by the prodigious success of the book, Barendra later translated the English version of his book into Odia language & also released an audio book in Odia so as to reach out to more Odia speaking people.
A Motivational Speaker, columnist, panellist, Career Consultant, Barendra Kumar was awarded the ‘Odisha Youth Icon Award’ in 2015 for his unfeigned efforts to reach out to young minds. He was chuffed to bitsto being conferred with ‘ODISHA YOUTH INSPIRATION AWARD’ by Odisha Diary Foundation in the category of ‘Inspiration Special Citation for Social change’. Besides him, Bollywood playback singer Krishna Beura, Indian Olympic athlete Dutee Chand, a professional sprinter who is current national champion in the women’s 100 metres, were among the others who were also awarded this Odisha Youth Inspiration Award in that same year.
Barendra Kumar was awarded in the presence of Government of Odisha’s Minister for Industry and Mass Education Mr. Debi Prasad Mishra, Government of Odisha’s Minister for Culture and Tourism Mr. Ashok Panda, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Mr. SudamMarandi, Bhubaneswar North MLA Shri Priyadarshi Mishra, acclaimed Sweden based artist Mr. PK Mahanandia, Jnanpith Award winning writer Dr.Pratibha Ray, among others were also present. ‘Odisha Youth Inspiration Award’ is part of the ‘Odisha Living Legend Award’, a civilian award conferred on people of Odisha who have done outstanding and inspiring work. Odisha Living Legend Award was established in 2011 to celebrate the excellent contributions to Odia society, economy, culture, arts and global outreach.
Through his motivational book, he hopes for amelioration in the mindset of readers. He has conducted Seminars and workshops for educational & corporate organizations, has addressed Students, Teachers, Principals, Civil Servants, Corporate houses etc on performance enhancement, success strategies and programming for peak performance and intends to publish more books for his Miracles Book Publishing House.
People from Odisha’s Christian community have served in several high profile positions such as Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Economic Advisor to Govts of Lebanon & Macedonia, World Bank’s Country Chief for Kosovo, Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly, Ministers of State Cabinet, in Rank of Air Marshal in Indian Air Force, Brigadier in Indian Army, as Vice-President of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) & Jindal Steel Bolivia (JSB), as M.D. of MSTC & Industrial Advisor to Govt of India, as Members of Vice Chairman Panel at Rajya Sabha, Chief Whip of Ruling Party at Rajya Sabha, as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Department, as Captains of Indian National Hockey Team, Captain of Indian U-19 Cricket Team, as Chairman of Odisha Public Service Commission, Director General (DGP) of State Police, as Vice-Chancellor of multiple State Universities, Numerous IAS & IPS officers, M.P.s & MLAs, state bureaucrats, Directors, Medical Superintendents & Principals of Govt Medical Colleges & Hospitals, Engineer-In-Chief to Govt of Odisha, Award winning Movie Actor, Director & Playback Singers, District Judge, Lawyers, Doctors, Entrepreneurs, Mineral/Nuclear Scientist, Secretary of Railway Board & Director General of RDSO, Principal Secretaries to C.M. of Odisha & Guv of Odisha, Padma Shri awardees, Freedom Fighters etc. The Founder & Architect of Modern Odisha was also an Odia Christian. Barendra Kumar’s upcoming book “ODIA CHRISTIAN LUMINARIES” highlights all these aspects. He hopes that his upcoming book would repeat the success of his previous book “CAN : Is The Word Of Power”.
Barendra Kumar signs off saying, “I Kept my nose to the Grindstone to ensure that my book ‘Odia Christian Luminaries’ gets published during Christmas 2020. But the pandemic created a stumbling block to my plans. I was virtually at Sixes and Sevens throughout the lockdown. Despite being behind the Eight Ball, I am trying to Roll with the Punches to get my book launched within few months”.
Barendra Kumar presenting a copy of his upcoming book “Odia Christian Luminaries” to Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas.
Barendra Kumar receiving the ‘Odisha Youth Inspiration Award-2015’ from Minister, Debi Prasad Mishra
Barendra Kumar giving a copy of his book “CAN: Is The Word of Power” to Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, Ganeshi Lal at Raj Bhawan.
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