Bhubaneswar, Mar 14: 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. The event was graced by Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Smt. Pravati Parida, as the Chief Guest, while Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus India Foundation, attended as the Guest of Honour. The ceremony was held at Mayfair Convention, Bhubaneswar.
Over the past 15 years, BIPF has created a meaningful impact across six districts in Odisha, reaching 690 villages and positively touching the lives of over 2.7 million people through its community-led development initiatives. To commemorate this milestone, a coffee table book chronicling the foundation’s journey was unveiled by Smt. Pravati Parida.
Instituted in 2013, the Shambhavi Puraskar celebrates individuals and organisations working at the grassroots level to create transformative social impact in Odisha. Two organisations – Sathee Parivar and Balangir Gramodyog Samiti (BGS) – were honoured with the Shambhavi Puraskar 2026, each receiving ₹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. Since 2020, BGS has driven agricultural transformation in 29 villages of Tureikela Block in partnership with the Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture, Government of Odisha, supporting 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.
The Jury Commendation Certification, carrying a cash award of ₹1 lakh, was presented to Dr. Sasmita Meher of Bargarh in recognition of 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.
As a special addition, the Shambhavi Youth Icon Award was presented to Sarmilata Pradhan and Yamuna Pradhan, sisters from Jiridikia village in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, who are empowering local girls through football and using the sport to raise awareness against child marriage.
In her keynote, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha Smt. Pravati Parida, said: “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.”
Speaking on the occasion, BIPF Founder and CEO Ms Shaifalika Panda, said: “BIPF’s journey of 15 years has been shaped by relationships, through shared learning and a deep sense of togetherness with our 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.”
Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus Foundation, said: “15 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.”
Over the years, the Shambhavi Puraskar has emerged as one of Odisha’s most respected recognitions in the social development space, celebrating individuals and organisations that are driving meaningful and sustainable change at the grassroots level.
