Bhubaneswar: Social worker Khirod Sahoo received the 8th prestigious Shambhavi Puraskar-2021 for his outstanding contribution to the field of health and education in Angul district.
Similarly, Nibedita Lenka has been conferred with the Shambhavi Jury Commendation Certificate-2021 for giving insight to the society and setting an example for others through her social work.
Lenka, popularly known as Josada Maa has been providing financial and educational assistance to over 100 poor meritorious students.
Both Sahoo and Lenka expressed pleasure on being conferred with the prize.
"I am feeling proud for receiving the Shambhavi Puraskar-2021. Residents of Ghnatapada, Talcher and the entire Angul district are also proud that I was conferred with the award. I have decided to spend the cash award given to me on this occasion for the healthcare of downtrodden. I expressed my sincere gratitude to the Bansidhar and Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF)," Khirod Sahoo said.
Similarly, Nibedita Lenka said that she has pursued a dream of making a platform for the poor meritorious students in backward regions.
"I have never ever thought to work for the society and be a social worker. But, the time and situation changed the course of my life. I am very happy that this prize would inspire me to go ahead with the work. I have an ambition to make a platform for underprivileged meritorious students from most remote areas in the State," Lenka said.
Shambhavi Puraskar 2021, instituted by Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation, the CSR wing of IMFA group carries a citation and cash reward of Rs 2.5 lakh while the Shambhavi Jury Commendation Certificate carries a citation and a cash award of Rs 50,000.
The award had been instituted in 2014 to recognize those who act as agents of social change and motivate others to follow their footsteps.
The trustee of the BIPF, Paramita Panda said "Grassroots level workers are obviously the greatest contributors to the society. It is the time to recognise them for their hard work. Today, we are very proud and very happy that we have selected two such outstanding social enablers-Mr Sahoo and Mrs Lenka."