Dr Saroj Kumar Mishra was born in the small town of Kabisuryanagar, Ganjam district, Odisha, on 15.8.1958.
Father: Late Dr Padmanabha Mishra. Mother: Late Urmila Devi.
After matriculating from Sri Mardaraj High School and completing http://I.Sc. from Aska Science College with a brilliant academic career, he was directly admitted to the M.B.B.S. course at MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, and subsequently completed M.S. in General Surgery from the same college.
He served as a government doctor for more than 42 years in various capacities: Assistant Surgeon in rural and tribal villages, Surgery Specialist, Medical Superintendent of CHCs and District Headquarters Hospitals, and finally as a Health Administrator (Chief District Medical Officer) in Ganjam, Gajapati, and Sundargarh districts.
He served the poor and underprivileged people of rural Odisha as a doctor and brought transformation to health institutions in service provisions and infrastructure development. Under his leadership, health facilities received awards from the Government of Odisha for Kayakalpa, NQAS, LAQSHYA, Best Eco-friendly Hospital, and many others.
He changed the concept of rehabilitation for people with disabilities in Sundargarh district. The earlier practice was screening disabled persons, determining the percentage of disability, and awarding a disability pension for their livelihood. Dr Mishra suggested to the district administration: early screening of cases, active physiotherapy, provision of artificial smart limbs, and support to return to work so they could earn a livelihood with dignity. Advanced Rehabilitation Centres were opened in the district, and all blocks were facilitated with physiotherapy centres to address disability issues, aid recovery from physical inabilities, and restore ability.
He retired from government service in August 2023 and is now busy with his professional practice in the city of Berhampur, Odisha.
Literature has been his passion since his school and college days. He was Editor of the College Journal, Editor of the Odisha Journal of Surgery, and a member of the Editorial Board of the Odisha Medical Journal.
Besides his medical career, his contributions to Odia and English literature are also commendable.
He is the author of many books, including:
Nisanga Pakshi ra Swara (Odia poetry), Jahnavi ra Neela Janha (Odia short story), Anya Akhi ra Pratibimba (Odia short story), and Mission Moon (Odia novel on love, science, and adventure), published by reputed regional, national, and international publishers. Recently, his English poetry collection The Smiles I Ever Missed was published by international publisher BookLeaf Publishing House.
Dr Mishra has received many recognitions for his literary activities. He has been awarded by Mahendra Tanaya Sanskritik Parishad, Eastern Media Limited, Aranya Sahitya Sansada, and the Kabisurya Baladev Ratha Smruti Samman.
His short stories are published in various Odia periodicals such as Katha, Sourabh, and the weekly literary pages of leading daily newspapers. He is the founder of the annual literary publication Sourav of Brahmapur Sahitya Sansada.
At the age of 67, Dr Mishra remains active in his profession as well as a writer, committed to contributing more to society.
