Something I Look At-405 Poem by Smrui Ranjan Mohanty

SOMETHING I LOOK AT-405
BY- SMRUTI RANJAN MOHANTY

THE BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS OF ALANAHAT HIGH SCHOOL

(THE MASTER LIVED WITH THEM)

BANAMALI PARIDA

Born to Bauribandhu and Champa
with dreams that soared so high

At Goudunipadia in 61
beneath Odisha's sky.

Named Banamali
a genius rare with brilliance that would gleam

Alanahat saw him shine in school
the pride of every dream.

Marching through Ravenshaw's halls with honor in his stride

A top ranker of his batch with intellect as guide.

Life brought Jayshree to his side
his partner, strong and true,

In '92 they tied the knot
and together they pushed through.

Passed BSc engg from Rourkela's core
then M.Tech took the lead,

A scholar turned professor planting every noble seed.

Resilient through the toughest times
though fate was never fair,

Ill health and loss struck blow by blow
yet he continued with care.

Dreams deferred by burdens deep
like dues he couldn't pay

Again he rose to earn his name in his quiet, steady way.

Gyms and yoga, meditation—none could calm the storm

Overloaded heart and mind still striving to transform.

Unseen battles drained his soul but never dimmed his light

Days of hunger
nights of grief
yet onward he would fight.

Underneath that student's gaze
a hero hid his pain

Notebooks scarce
yet knowledge vast
he danced against the rain.

In his veins the fire burned though few could see it glow

Parents lost and poverty
made heavy his shadow.

A thousand rupees blocked his path but never broke his will

Delayed, not stopped
he earned his crown with undiminished skill.

In every tale of Alanahat halls his legend softly calls
A name forever carved in time, upon those sacred walls.

(As narrated by Sri Banamali Parda

Banamali Parida
Born on March 10,1961, in Goudunipadia to Bauribandhu Parida and Champa Devi, Banamali Parida was a brilliant mind and a versatile genius. Known as one of the brightest students of his time, he stood out academically from an early age. He completed his Matriculation in 1977 from Alanahat High School and went on to pursue I.Sc. from the prestigious Ravenshaw College, graduating in 1979. He topped his batch in 1977 and was counted among the top students in Odisha.

In 1992, he married Jayshree Parida, his constant companion and pillar of support. Banamali earned his B.Sc. in Engineering from R.E.C., Rourkela, and later completed his M.Tech from N.I.T., Rourkela in 2006. Throughout his career, he held positions as a Production Engineer, Quality Control Engineer, and Assistant Professor at Rourkela Institute of Technology.

Despite his academic brilliance and hard work, Banamali faced significant health and personal challenges that prevented him from achieving the heights he truly deserved. Nonetheless, he is remembered fondly as one of the finest students ever produced by his school.

Unknown to him, Banamali suffered from a heart condition that impaired blood flow to his brain. Although symptoms were subtle during his school and early college days—like occasional whistling in the ears—the condition worsened under the strain of mental pressure. Seeking relief, he attended a week-long yoga class during his first year at REC and turned to spiritual practices in hopes of regaining mental strength. Unfortunately, yoga, meditation, and gym exercises provided little help.

Life dealt him a series of heavy blows: the paralysis of his father during his I.Sc. years, the passing of his mother during his first engineering semester, financial hardship that left him without basic resources like textbooks, and the emotional burden of selling family land year after year to continue his studies. His greatest heartbreak came when he was barred from sitting for his pre-final semester exam due to unpaid mess dues of just a thousand rupees. This forced him to repeat the year, delaying his graduation until after his marriage, which he completed while juggling job responsibilities.

In spite of it all, Banamali's name endures as a symbol of brilliance, resilience, and silent struggle—a student who may not have received all the recognition he earned, but who left an indelible mark on those who know him.)

Smruti Ranjan Mohanty©
India
5.4.2025
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