Social Development In Odisha – BIPF Leads By Example

Marginalization of rural people is a menace of the society that needs total eradication. Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) is one of the leading groups,which has set an example for others by boosting the social development in Odisha under various CSR initiatives. Their notable works have helped rural people to achieve maximum benefits in their life.

The foundation concentrates in several major areas including water and sanitation,education, maternal and child care. Founded in 2011, the BIPF has grown its significance in distinctive rural areas that were deprived of basic amenities. The following provides a brief preview about their sustainable development in Odisha.

 •   Education – It took a major step by setting the Chinmaya Vidyalaya Therubala in the district of Rayagada, offering a reliable infrastructure for students of rural Odisha. Similarly, the foundation has signed up several MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with government and other organizations for educational development.

•    Women and child care – BIPF commenced social development in Odisha by launching the Project UNNATI for the betterment of women and child care facilities through health, food, hygiene, finance, livelihood, etc.

•    Water and sanitation – As the statistics indicate, Odisha still has a dubious record in open defecation that needs immediate attention. BIPF has conducted special meetings for awareness about the ill effects of open defecation and importance of sanitation with respect to health.

BIPF has also given major efforts in skill development by setting the centers of skill development and training.

Major Initiatives For Improvement Of Rural Health In Odisha

A society is said to be fully functional when all of its sections are in the mainstream. However, this has not been the condition in the state of Odisha. Even there is a numerous rural population, which remains completely marginalized and underprivileged. It is an undisputed fact that even today a great percentage of rural households defecate in the open. This is one of the major reasons in spread out of contagious diseases and some are so dangerous that they may even lead to death. However, there are such measures than can improve the rural health in Odisha from joint efforts of government and other stakeholders.

• Building toilets – As known to everyone, the central and state government have taken up the projects for “open defecation free” environment. Many of the CSR initiatives have taken it to the villages for building toilets in every house or community toilets under the rural development programmes in Odisha.

• Health camps – Foundations like BIPF have conducted regular health camps for the rural people to determine their health status and provide free medication as well. Other CSR teams following such dedication would help in saving valuable lives on time.

• Health centers – The absence of health centers and medical hospitals, force the rural communities to rush a farther place for medication. Hence, setting up of such centers would reduce the complex situations due to late medical attention and benefit the rural health in Odisha.

Along with the above, clear water bodies and waste management facility can improve the rural health condition.