WRITTEN BY : PRIYANSHU MOHANTY
In an era where communication often gets reduced to noise, Mr. Rakshak Nayak stands apart as a rare voice who transforms words into bridges, ideas into strategies, and emotions into legacies. He is not only a recipient of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award (2013) for his poetry collection Asaranti Antakshari but also one of Odisha’s most respected figures in public relations and strategic communication, having served as Public Relations Officer to some of the state’s most powerful leaders, including the Hon’ble Governor of Odisha.
For Mr. Nayak, poetry and public relations are not two separate domains, but complementary forces that define his life’s work. His career is a living testimony to how creativity, empathy, and strategy can converge to create influence that is both dignified and lasting.
Poetry as the Core of Communication
Poetry, for Mr. Nayak, has always been more than an artistic pursuit – it is his most natural way of connecting with the world. His collection Asaranti Antakshari, published in 2011, became a milestone in his literary journey, earning him the prestigious Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award two years later.
“Poetry comes to me naturally. The purpose of poetry is to communicate to the world around and remain connected,” he shares.
Interestingly, public relations was not his chosen career path but a professional responsibility that grew into a passion. Over the years, he discovered that his poetic sensibilities and his PR work complemented one another. His professional exposure gave wings to his creative voice, while poetry sharpened his ability to communicate with precision and depth. “This was poetry in action,” he says, describing how his professional experiences, interactions, and engagements expanded his vision and gave more depth to his words.
Public Relations: A Craft of Dignity and Depth
Mr. Rakshak Nayak’s PR career is one of remarkable breadth and responsibility. From working at the sub-divisional and district levels to serving as PRO to half a dozen powerful ministers, the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, and eventually the Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, his journey exemplifies dedication at the highest levels of governance.
For him, public relations in Raj Bhavan carried a unique responsibility: “PR for the Governor is designed on his personality. Quality, not quantity, matters here.” He emphasizes that strategy must align with the Governor’s dignity, ensuring that communication is inspirational, ideological, and true to the constitutional image. Working with Governors he describes as “statesmen in the real sense of the term” sharpened his ability to communicate with gravitas and subtlety – hallmarks of his professional ethos.
Building Bridges, Heart to Heart
When asked about his principles in shaping public perception, Mr. Nayak answers with a philosophy rooted in simplicity and empathy:
“Be simple, think simple, and make your approach simple.”
For him, communication is not about pushing messages but about understanding people – their expectations, aspirations, and socio-economic profiles. His method involves precision, accuracy, and conviction, but above all, it involves empathy. “Build bridges from heart to heart, convert your mind to heart also. First win confidence, then communicate and confide,” he explains.
This human-centric approach, influenced deeply by his poetic instincts, has allowed him to navigate complexities and connect with people across institutions and communities.
The Art of Listening and the Power of Few Words
As both a poet and a communicator, Mr. Nayak has mastered the art of brevity. “I condense wide thoughts into capsules. I believe in using few words for big impact.” This minimalist yet powerful approach is rooted in his ability to listen.
“I listen a lot but speak a little. Listening is an art, a difficult one also. If you are ready to listen, the other side opens up. This creates an instant bonding.”
For Mr. Nayak, listening is not just a professional skill but a way of connecting at the deepest human level – whether in poetry, public relations, or life itself.
Synergy of Roles: The One Becomes Many
Balancing roles as a poet, PR professional, and political strategist may seem extraordinary, but Mr. Nayak views them as one. “It is in essence one, manifested in different forms. Intent leads to content and that consummates in communication.”
His creative works are his way of responding to society, while his PR strategies are extensions of his empathy and literary vision. At the heart of both lies emotional intelligence – a quality he considers paramount. Creativity and communication, he believes, are not separate domains but mutual expressions of one unifying force.
Odisha’s Diversity: A Challenge and an Opportunity
For Mr. Nayak, Odisha’s cultural and social diversity is its greatest strength. “Odisha, culturally, is a melting pot, not a salad bowl. Odisha is known for its inclusivity.” To connect effectively with such a varied landscape, one must adopt a multi-layered approach – understanding the nuances of each community. Once that bridge of trust is established, he believes, “opportunities galore.”
Legacy and Vision for the Future
Though deeply rooted in tradition, Mr. Nayak has a forward-looking vision for communication. He acknowledges the sweeping changes brought by technology and artificial intelligence. “The future generation is well equipped with advanced tools. Technology is all-pervading. But in this panorama, technology must have a human face,” he advises.
For him, the fusion of traditional values with modern technology is the recipe for the future. He believes Odisha’s cultural ethos, particularly the Jagannath culture, offers a guiding light that can help the state shine on the global stage. “If we put Lord Jagannath as our guiding light, Odisha is sure to shine in a big way globally.”
The Man, The Poet, The Strategist
Mr. Rakshak Nayak’s legacy lies not only in his award-winning poetry but also in his role as a strategist who has shaped communication at the highest levels of governance. His life is proof that poetry and public relations – seemingly distinct fields – can enrich and elevate each other. He has shown that communication is not about quantity but quality, not about noise but resonance.
In his own words, “Poetry is both power and politics.” And through his journey, he has demonstrated how the power of words, guided by empathy and vision, can shape legacies that endure.
