OdishaPlus Bureau
The Shambhavi Puraskar instituted by Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) was conferred on Hiradhar Sahu for his contribution and leadership efforts to save forests in Deogarh district, on Thursday. Chief Executive Officer, Oxfam India Amitav Behar, and Director and Professor of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, Bhubaneswar Prof. BN Thorat honored Sahu at a function here.
Notably, Sahu through his initiative, Zilla Jungle Manch, led a movement and brought together the residents of 900 villages to work with him in forest management. His efforts resulted in 15.90 square kilometers of forest receiving protection and conservation successfully with every village in Deogarh getting its own village forest.
In addition to this, his initiative led to 6,000 tribal families getting land under the Forest Rights Act.
Apart from the ‘Shambhavi Puraskar 2020’, BIPF also recognized those individuals who stood out as examples of courage and are the pillars of strength to the community.
This year, BIPF conferred the ‘Jury Commendation Certificate 2020’ upon Anil Pradhan for his dedication, determination, and selfless service towards providing education to underprivileged children in the rural areas of Cuttack district.
An engineer by profession, he established International Public School for Rural Innovation and Navonmesh Prasar Foundation that provides education in science, technology, and innovation to the rural students free of charge.
His initiatives have impacted 15,000 students between the age group of 8-15 years. The OXFAM India CEO said, “In these times of growing inequality, it is critical to remember that real change always happens from margins. Sincere thanks to Shambhavi Puraskar for turning on the spotlight on these real heroes who are changing the world through their commitment and idealism. I go back inspired with these stories of selfless leadership and dedication”.
A jury member of Shambhavi Puraskar 2020 Shantamay Chatterjee Regional Programme Director CARE India said, “The Shambhavi Puraskar is an opportunity and recognition for individuals with outstanding contributions to society. BIPF has not only has taken this initiative ahead but has shown the finest zeal and pursued to track the individuals work and its significance amongst community and recognition by diverse stakeholders like government officials as well. Seldom we see Corporate Social Foundations taking on such mammoth tasks and accomplish with finesse”.
General Manager NABARD Odisha AP Das said, “SHAMBHAVI PURASKAR is a novel initiative to explore many good grass-root level works undertaken by individuals across the state. The award will be catalytic in promoting such micro-level initiative and will be the building block of a future responsible civil society”.
CEO BIPF Shaifalika Panda said “It takes years of dedication to uplift a genre. At BIPF we believe it is our responsibility to give this cult of dedicated social catalysts a platform to grow further. When changemakers get a dias they inspire more to follow altruistic principles.”
The Shambhavi Puraskar was instituted by BIPF in 2014 to recognize those who act as agents of social change and motivate others to follow in their footsteps. It carries a citation and cash award of Rs. 2,50,000 while the “Shambhavi Jury Commendation Certification carries a citation and a cash award for Rs. 50,000.