Indus Valley Times

By Payal Banarjee

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 20 :The prestigious ‘Shambhavi Puraskar’, established by the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation in 2014, celebrates the remarkable efforts of social changemakers in Odisha. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to uplift communities and inspire positive change. This award not only recognizes their hard work but also expands their reach by connecting them with a broader network of social investors and organizations.

Exciting Announcement: The Shambhavi Puraskar award amount has been significantly enhanced. The main recipient will now receive a citation, trophy, and a cash prize of Rs. 5,00,000 (Rupees Five Lakhs), increased from Rs. 2,50,000.

Furthermore, the Jury Commendation Certification has also been upgraded, with the cash prize rising from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 (Rupees One Lakh), accompanied by a citation.”

Call for Applications: Applications are now open for the 12th edition of the Shambhavi Puraskar. To apply or nominate, visit www.bipf.org.in.

Award Criteria and Selection Process: The selection of awardees is based on several key criteria, including the impact created, sustainability, community participation, scalability, innovation, and the number of beneficiaries. An independent jury panel, comprising esteemed leaders from the government, academia, industry, media, and a representative from BIPF, adjudicates the winners each year.

Ms. Shaifalika Panda, Trustee & Founder CEO of BIPF and Chief of CSR (Special Initiatives) at IMFA, emphasized the importance of this initiative:

“It is our responsibility to serve the underserved and create a ripple effect of change towards social transformation. The Shambhavi Puraskar has provided grassroots leaders in Odisha with a platform to further their vision and ambition for collective growth.”