In the Context of Social Development in Odisha

Rural development is becoming an essential part of overall social development in Odisha. Different strategies and model projects are being implemented in the remote villages of the state. For empowering the rural communities, Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation is working actively. A number of projects are currently implemented in different regions by this organization. Most of the developmental approaches of BIPF are focusing on socio-economic growth of the rural communities.

Aspects of Social Work in Rural Communities of Odisha:

For better results, all these efforts need an efficient strategy and continuity. The following points are common to most of the developmental strategies.

•    Identify – Recognizing all the scope of work, opportunities and barriers has to be planned in the initial stage. It helps in preparing an efficient strategy for social development in Odisha.

•    Strategize – Analyzing the data and preparing a strategy on that basis has the potential to give adequate results. As per the availability of the resources, strategies are prepared.

•    Implement – All the verified ways need to be put into practice sooner. It is essential to verify the reach of the program is easily accessible by the real beneficiaries.

•    Measure – Evaluating the process in a regular basis is associated to every effort of social work in rural communities of Odisha.

•    Breakthrough – Implementing all the advanced technologies boosts the prospective of the programmes.

BIPF is continuously strategizing and implementing resourceful developmental programmes in the state. These programmes are having positive results towards socio-economic development of the state.

Highlights of Rural Development Programmes in Odisha

All the approaches of social development need interventions all through its strategies and implementations. Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation is renowned for its activist interest in bringing social and economical reinforcement in the state of Odisha. All the current programmes of BIPF are getting better response and support from the rural communities. The strategic ways of bringing development and eliminating the progress barriers of this organization has been praised by most people.

Development of Education, Livelihood and Rural Health in Odisha:

The major focus areas of organization include education, women & children, skill development, along with water & sanitation. BIPF is actively involved in rural development programmes in Odisha. Most rural regions of Odisha are covered for bringing positive changes through its efforts.

•    Education – Chinmaya Vidyalaya Therubali, Rayagada and support to the schools records more accolades. Its very own Professor Ghanashyam Dash Scholarship for Higher Education enabling more scholarly students in villages of Odisha to achieve their career goals.

•    Poverty Eradication – Therubali Industrial Training Centre in Rayagada is another initiative from BIPF that actively showing its involvement in rural development programmes in Odisha.

•    Making Lives Better – The approaches of BIPF towards development of rural health in Odisha are also having greater impacts. Project Unnati, partnership with Pathfinder International, Project Arogya Dhara, Janani Express, and Ila Panda Gynecology Ward are some active ideas.

Use of all advanced technologies and helping hands made most of the approaches of this organization successful. It is creating more instances of overall socio-economic developments in Odisha.

A Panel Discussion on “Education for All: Prospects & Challenges.”

The Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation, social arm of IMFA, in partnership with FICCI Odisha State Council, organized IDEATE- 2015, a panel discussion on “Education for All: Prospects & Challenges” at Bhubaneswar.

The RTE Act has made education a fundamental right and provides for all children between the ages of 6-14 to get free education. Rural India suffers from issues like inadequate infrastructure, shortage of teachers and behavioral challenges. Children from marginalized homes do not have access to affordable quality education.  Experts from different educational organizations came together to deliberate on this critical topic of “Equity Education for All”.

Speaking on the occasion Shaifalika Panda, CEO Bansidhar & Ila Panda foundation said “An educated person is considered the best national resource.  The quality of the present education system will actuate the potential of today's children who will grow into adult citizens of tomorrow.  Given that majority of our children live in rural India educational reforms must start with rural education."

The Thematic Address was delivered by Prof Marmar Mukhopadhyay, Chairman, Educational Technology & Management Academy, New Delhi.Commenting on the Panel Discussion, Head FICCI Odisha State Council, Mr Sanjeev Mohanty said that “IDEATE brings about concrete suggestions for both Govt & Non-Govt sectors to plan & implement result-oriented projects.”Speakers on the panel were Mr. Mahenrdra Kumar Mallick, IAS, State Project Director, Odisha PrimaryEducation Programme Authority (OPEPA), Dr. Banchhanidi Panda, President Vidyabharti, Odisha, Mr Gopinath T Menon, Chairperson, Sparsh Centre for Participatory Learning Mumbai, Mr. Purnendu Hota, Head & Project In-Charge, Hole-in-the Wall Education Project, NIIT, New Delhi.


Education, the subject for the 4th Ideate Event is one of the four verticals of BIPF. Apart from running the Chinmaya Vidhlaya Therubali, BIPF constructs girls’ toilets, upgrades infrastructure in tribal schools and distributes study material annually.  Through their Project Unaati for SHGs they enlighten women about the benefits of sending children to school, especially girls.


Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation, the CSR arm of IMFA, was established with the vision to engage, educate and empower the most vulnerable communities to achieve significant socio economic transformation.

7 Important Focus Areas Of Rural Development Programmes in Odisha

Six decades have passed since independence of India, and the country is still struggling in the mode of a developing nation. Issues like infighting and corruption are depriving the nation of basic development. Nevertheless, there have been various attempts by the central and state government to address such issues. For every nation, its development depends on the development of the entire population and not just for a faction. As of now, the rural people are shunted out from the mainstream due to various reasons.

In order to put them on track various ongoing and upcoming rural development programmes in Odisha are extremely helpful. The key areas whose course correction are much needed are described in the following.

1.    Healthcare – When compared with urban population, the rural health in Odisha is not very impressive. Since, people are accustomed with poor nutrition and lack of health care facilities, the rate of improvement is on the low. Setting up of rural health camps or minimum equipped medical health centers can resolve the problem by a good margin.

2.    Sanitation – Worst hygienic conditions lead to various diseases and some of them are highly life-threatening as well. It’s still found that people urinate and defecate in the open due to lack of toilets. Building of toilets is a huge contributing factor to improve the rural health in Odisha. The government programmes, CSR initiatives and NGOs have helped in a great manner to address the above.

3.    Water – Apart from the above, impure water also causes various diseases. Just like mentioned above, open defecation carries bacterial stimulants to cause diseases. Water body treatment and clean water supplies, hygienic sanitations and practices helps recover rural health in Odisha in a huge way.

4.    Infrastructure – There is an immense requirement of infrastructure development in the rural areas. And it should truly encompass the overall development, including laying of roads for connectivity, electricity and buildings. Various companies have stepped forward for rural development programmes in Odisha by taking CSR initiatives to develop the infrastructure.

5.    Education – Imparted quality education sustains till the end of life. Every child must be educated to craft their own future. For that reason, many CSR initiatives have supported schools in the rural areas, built new schools, awarded scholarships to meritorious students, provided schooling accessories to teachers and students, etc.

Common people’s contribution is also highly required apart from development programmes. This helps in overall development through people-to-people collaboration.