Social activist Ratnakar Sahoo receives Shamhavi Puraskar 2022
By Swagatika Bhutia
Bhubaneswar, April 14: Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) instituted Shambhavi Puraskar 2022 was on Thursday conferred upon Mr Ratnakar Sahoo, a noted social activist by chief guest Mr V K Madhavan, Chief Executive, Water Aid India, New Delhi, and guest of honour Dr Ajay Parida (Director, Institute of Life Science) in the presence of Ms Paramita Panda, Trustee, BIPF.
The award carries a memento, a citation and a cash prize of Rs 2.50 lakh.
This was the 9th editionof Shamhavi Puraskar.
BIPF also conferred the ‘Jury Commendation Certification 2022’ upon Ms Chinmayee Das of Jarapada in Angul district. She received a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a citation.
Ratnakar Sahoo founded “ASHAYEN” with a primary objective of educating and improving lives of underprivileged children. His notable work is spread through his unique community based learning centres known as ‘Ama-Pathashala.’
Through “Bridge Education,” he not only generates interest for education among street children, but also helps them get admission into formal schools. It is exemplary to note the way he has successfully converted few liquor shops into study centres ‘Madashala ru Pathshala’ to conduct evening classes for street children and slum dwellers.
‘Ashayen’ also focuses on de-addiction and making these children lead an addiction free life. Ratnakar regularly conducts exposure visits and imparts general know-how on life skills, health & hygiene and sensitizing children on good touch & bad touch.
As a social activist, Chinmayee Das has been vocal about the rights of transgender and through persistent advocacy she has paved a path for them to live a socially acceptable life. Her resolute effort towards opening a ‘Transgender Ward’ in a District Hospital at Angul is admirable.
Chinmayee’s idea of “Mo-Pathaghara” (Library), an initiative to inculcate reading habits among children and senior citizens, is simple yet unique. With more than 2000 books, it has opened up a world of knowledge for them. Her commitment and efforts to bring happiness to elderly people and children who lost parents during Covid by instituting an ashram, facilitating medical services for Cancer & HIV patients is heart warming.
Shambhavi Puraskar 2022 Jury Panel comprised of notable members Mr Pramod Kumar Merkap (IAS (Retd) – Chairman, Odisha Food Commission), Mr Akshaya Kumar Sahoo (Spl Correspondent, Asian Age), Dr. Sutapa Pati (Academic Dean, XIM University), Mr Debabrata Patra (Associate Director, Action Aid) and Ms Shaifalika Panda (CEO & Trustee of BIPF)
Mr Niranjan Mishra, Principal, JN TATA Technical Education Center was the Field Assessor for the 9th edition of Shambhavi Puraskar.
Mr Ashok Kumar Behera (Vice President-BIPF) conveyed vote of thanks.
