Romanthan (ରୋମନ୍ଥନ)

Mr. Upendra Tripathy, a recipient of the President’s Award as a successful administrator, joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1980 and served diligently across various departments of the Government of India. Even during his student life, he was a brilliant scholar. After graduating from Ravenshaw College, he secured first class first in his postgraduate studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, bringing pride to both his village and his state.

Following his retirement, he served as the first Director General of the International Solar Alliance,  as the Chairman of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya and the Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister on Education.
Beyond his administrative achievements, Mr. Tripathy is also a poet. His poems were written during his school years. When one reads these poems, it becomes clear that even at a young age, Mr. Tripathy possessed a profound and sensitive mind.

I had heard of Upendra Sir before, but after coming into direct contact with him, I experienced the gentle and humane nature that lies within an administrator.
At Labanabatee Prakashani, we often receive many manuscripts awaiting publication. One day, Rashmi brought me an old notebook — not a formal manuscript — and showed it to me. Judging by its worn pages, it was evident that the notebook was many years old. Inside were several poems.

After reading them, I realized that these poems were composed by Upendra Sir during his youth. All of them were written between his eighth grade and first year of college. The poems reflect the soul of a young boy and his blossoming thoughts. The team at Labanabati Publications decided to publish them as a book.

What happened afterward is now in front of you, the readers. If this work is accepted and appreciated by you, I shall consider all our efforts worthwhile.

Ranjubala Jena, Proprietor, Labanabatee Prakashni