Jyotiranjan Gudia is studying in the Central Library at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, in 2022

Jyotiranjan Gudia is studying in the Central Library at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, in 2022

This photograph captures Jyotiranjan Gudia deeply immersed in reading at the Central Library of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), located in Patia, Bhubaneswar, taken in the year 2022. The serene and modern library setting, filled with organized bookshelves and quiet study areas, reflects his dedication to academic pursuit and research. Wearing a light green shirt and an identity card around his neck, Jyotiranjan sits at a white round table, focused on the open book in his hands—symbolizing his journey from the rural classroom of Kudumulugumma to one of the premier university libraries in the state. This image showcases not just a moment of study, but the spirit of perseverance and intellectual growth that defines Jyotiranjan’s life. Now a Ph.D. scholar at KISS Deemed to be University, he is the first from the Didayi tribal community of Malkangiri district to pursue a doctoral degree. His research focuses on the traditional political system of the Didayi tribe, highlighting both continuity and transformation in the face of modern influences. This photo tells a powerful story: the boy who once studied in a remote village school has grown into a determined academic committed to preserving the knowledge, culture, and voice of his indigenous roots.