Basudevpur: While many associate the library movement in Odisha with the renowned Dasarathi Pattnaik, affectionately known as ‘Dashia Ajaa’ from Nayagarh, another remarkable individual is making waves in the Basudevpur area of Bhadrak district. At 59, Bikash Kumar Satapathy has established a significant legacy of his own.

Satapathy operates a library and museum in Basudevpur, housing an impressive collection of 1,200 palm leaf manuscripts.

His extensive archive features over 1,100 antique coins from various countries, rare postage stamps, vintage radios, marine fossils, ancient clocks, traditional weights and measures, betel boxes, lanterns, oil lamps, and handcrafted tools and weapons.

The inspiration for his journey came when he met ‘Dashia Ajaa’ during a visit to his village while he was in Class VIII. The encounter left a lasting impression on him, particularly the message that ‘Man is greater than wealth. Help as many people as you can.’ This motivated Satapathy to contribute to society.

In 1990, he established the Lokanath Library and Museum in Madanapur, a coastal village in the Bahanaga block of Balasore district, naming it in honor of his grandfather.

What started as a simple love for books evolved into a dedicated mission. Satapathy explored various beaches for marine specimens, reached out to authors for literature, connected with scholars for manuscripts, and acquired rare coins from individuals abroad.

Today, his library has expanded from a modest collection of 15 magazines to an impressive repository of over 35,000 books and periodicals, showcasing his lifelong commitment to preservation and education.

Despite earning a postgraduate degree in Odia language and literature, he chose to forgo job opportunities to focus on the library movement. Overcoming numerous obstacles, including financial struggles and personal challenges, Satapathy has transformed the library and museum into a prominent institution.

After completing his matriculation, he published his first children's book, ‘Shukhila Gachhara Dashati Patra ‘O’ Dashati Phula’ (Ten Leaves and Ten Flowers of a Dry Tree). Following his higher secondary education, he released another book titled ‘Kau Koili’ (Crow and the Cuckoo), which helped him forge connections with notable writers across Odisha.

In 1996, he introduced a children's magazine called ‘Bai Chadhei’, further enhancing his editorial contributions. In 2006, he moved the library and museum to ward no-12 under Basudevpur Municipality, attracting researchers, students, and visitors who seek reference materials and rare artifacts, all available to the public at no cost.

For the past decade, he has spearheaded the ‘Quit Mobile, Read Books’ campaign, visiting schools and educational institutions to promote reading habits among children and reduce screen time.

Satapathy also participates in various cultural fairs and public events, showcasing rare exhibits to educate younger generations about Odisha’s rich heritage and traditions.

He believes that the library and museum, which he operates independently, aim to inspire youth to cherish their roots, environment, and native villages.