Pratap Chandra Sarangi, often referred to as “Odisha’s Modi” due to his simplicity and dedication, is a prominent leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha. Born on January 4, 1955, in Gopinathpur village, Balasore district, Sarangi grew up in a humble Brahmin family and has remained closely connected to his roots. He graduated from Fakir Mohan College in 1975, later working as a clerk before dedicating himself full-time to social work and politics.
Sarangi is well-known for his austere lifestyle—he lives in a thatched hut and commutes by bicycle, even as a Member of Parliament (MP). His public service journey began through grassroots involvement, including significant work in education and cow protection. He initiated Ekal Vidyalayas (one-teacher schools) in remote tribal areas during the 1980s and helped stop illegal cattle transport across state borders.
Sarangi’s entry into formal politics came when he became a leader in the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), gaining respect for his principled stand and strong oratory skills. He first won an assembly seat in 2004 as a BJP candidate from Nilagiri and was re-elected in 2009. He later contested the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, finally securing victory in 2019 from Balasore, defeating wealthier opponents with his message of simplicity and service.
In 2019, Sarangi was appointed Minister of State in Narendra Modi’s government, gaining national recognition for his humble background and straightforward manner. He has remained focused on uplifting the tribal regions of his constituency through education, water supply projects, and efforts to improve local agriculture through value-added processes like food processing.