Journey

After coming back to Odisha, Sri Patnaik joined Odia daily, PRAJATANTRA in 1972 at the initiative of its founder Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab, one of the makers of modern Odisha. Applicant was appointed as its Bhubaneswar correspondent. During his short span of service in PRAJATANTRA, he worked hard to popularize the paper in the State Capital with utmost sincerity and devotion. In those days his popular weekly column in the paper was FOOTPATH RA DIARY, which was highly appreciated by the common readers. Through these columns he had highlighted various problems of the citizens in a simple and lighter ways. He had proved that the pen is mightier than sword.

In 1973, Sri Patnaik switched over to the leading Odia daily, THE SAMAJA at the invitation and initiative of its Editor, Dr. Radhanath Rath, the grand old man of Odia journalism. THE SAMAJA was a nationalist Odia newspaper founded by Late Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das and took very active role in the national movement. But after Independence it gradually lost its previous glory and popularity because of its conservative thoughts and orthodox outlook. After joining THE SAMAJA applicant Pradosh Patnaik posted as its Bhubaneswar correspondent.

In 1982, he was promoted to State level Chief principal correspondent of the The Samaja. At that time The Samaja was very vocal against the corruption of the then Congress Government of Odisha by highlighting its mistakes and wrong decisions. As the Chief Corresponded, he had to face lot of difficulties. Sometimes he was getting threatening calls & letters.

In 2000, he became Editor (News) of The Samaja at its Cuttack headquarter. During his four decades long service career in THE SAMAJA, he gave a new look to it in the field of investigative stories, features and cultural coverage. Previously THE SAMAJA had only one evening edition of the paper and most of the readers of the State were getting late news. But he started morning edition of the paper by covering late night fresh stories. He also tried to change the decades long conservative outlook of the paper by introducing modern ideas and thoughts.

In the year 2007, Sri Patnaik formally retired from the job of THE SAMAJA and started a popular Odia weekly newspaper, SARKAR published from Bhubaneswar. Its publication continued till 2010.

In the year 2011 he joined another Odia daily ODISHA BHASKAR as its Chief Editor and is continuing till date. Besides being associated with various newspapers as their Editorial advisors and consulting Editors etc he is a regular columnist in a number of newspapers and magazines as a State level freelance journalist. Even today his regular columns on various national and State problems are being published in number of leading newspapers of the State. After completing almost half a century in Odia journalism, he is being considered as a doyen in the field and commands respect for his impartial outlook.