Nikhilanand Panigrahy
Dr. Nikhilanand Panigrahy is a popular Indian Science writer and columnist from Odisha, who popularized science in the Odia language. He has been contributing regularly to a variety of prominent Oriya news papers and magazines since 1973. Early life and education. Nikhilanand was born on 20 December 1947 in a pious Brahmin family in the village of Dhanantar near Aska in Ganjam district of Odisha in India. He was born to Padmanav Panigrahy and Annapurna Panigrahy. He grew up in a disciplined family environment. He had primary education at village school in Dhanantara. Then he was admitted into  Harihara High School, Aska and successfully completed matriculation in 1961. He took up Bachelor of Science(B.Sc) with Physics Honours in Khallikote College, Berhampur and was awarded the bachelor's degree with distinction and Honours by Utkal University in 1965. Then he completed M.Sc in Physics with specialization in X-rays from the then prestigious Regional Engineering College (REC), now known as National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela. He earned Ph.D. under the guidance of Prof Prashanta Kumar Mishra. His Ph.D. thesis was about theoretical Solid State Physics. He retired as Director of "Odisha State Bureau of Text Book Preparation and  Production". Literary Activities. He began his writings in early age. He took an interest in Literature, science and physics from very early on in his life. He derived inspiration from scientists, writers and other eminent personalities. Over 1500 research papers, articles, stories, features written in leading newspapers, magazines, journals of national and international level which include The Samaj, Dharitri, Sambad, Prameya, Anupam Bharat, Bigyan Diganta, Science Horizon, Paurusha, Jhankar, Barttika, Yojana, Utkal Prasanga, Orissa Review and Katha etc. Publications. Mentioned below: