Bhubaneswar: The Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) commemorated 15 years of its journey in social development while presenting the 13th edition of the Shambhavi Puraskar, an annual award recognising excellence and innovation in grassroots social work in Odisha.
Pravati Parida, deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, was the chief guest at an event to commemorate 15 years of Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation’s (BIPF) journey in social development.
The 13th edition of Shambhavi Puraskar, an annual award recognising excellence and innovation in grassroots social work in Odisha, was presented to mark the occasion. Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus India Foundation, attended the event as the guest of honour.
The Jury Commendation Certification, carrying a cash award of Rs 1 lakh, was presented to Dr Sasmita Meher of Bargarh to recognise her impactful contribution to Odisha’s textile heritage while adapting it for contemporary markets. She has equipped nearly 100 marginalised women from Tora and nearby villages for sustainable livelihood.
The Shambhavi Youth Icon Award was presented to Sarmilata Pradhan and Yamuna Pradhan. The sisters from Jiridikia village, in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, are empowering local girls through football and using the sport to raise awareness against child marriage.
Two organisations – Sathee Parivar and Balangir Gramodyog Samiti (BGS) – were also honoured with the Shambhavi Puraskar 2026, each receiving Rs 5 lakh, a citation and a crest.
Sathee Parivar was recognised for its work in preventing snakebite fatalities in Angul district through community awareness, government partnerships, and village-level response teams, training over 9,800 volunteers and helping save 490 lives in the past three years.
BGS was honoured for its efforts to empower marginalised communities, having driven agricultural transformation in 29 villages of Tureikela block in partnership with the Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture, Odisha government, and supported 3,612 farmers with training, inputs and market linkages. It has strengthened 39 farmer producer groups, comprising 2,812 women farmers and its crop diversification initiatives have benefited 2,533 farmers, improving soil health, climate resilience and incomes through a shift to higher-value crops.
A coffee table book chronicling the foundation’s journey and meaningful impact across six districts in Odisha was unveiled by Parida.
“The chain of network and support that BIPF has begun by reaching out to and backing grassroots changemakers, will inspire more people and organisations and strengthen government initiatives to transform communities,” Parida said in her keynote address.
BIPF founder and CEO Shaifalika Panda said its 15-year journey has been shaped by relationships, through shared learning and a deep sense of togetherness with communities. “Development at the core is about people. When given the opportunity, they will build futures far stronger than anything we could design for them. I am grateful to all those who have been a part of this ethereal journey.”
Rastogi lauded BIPF. “Fifteen years of sustainable development work is not easy; it needs conviction, patience and deep belief. BIPF demonstrated that belief by recognising and supporting grassroots leadership. When the most invisible citizens in our country begin to believe in their future, that is when the nation begins to rise.”
