This Vasant Panchami proved to be very special for Prayatn. On the day, which marks arrival of spring, the season of joy, and birth of the Saraswati, the goddess of education, Prayatn was awarded “HDFC Bank PARIVARTAN – Excellence Award -2023” under the category “Innovation in Education” by HDFC Bank for our pathbreaking intervention on education of children in Rayagada district of Odisha state. This intervention, which was a part of Holistic Rural Development Programme, impacted lives of 2000+ tribal children by influencing multiple dimensions of education including improving physical and academic environment in government schools and Anganwadis located in remote rural areas; ensuring continuity of education of socio-economically vulnerable even when the schools were closed due the COVID through community level tutoring, and enhancing community awareness on importance of education.
The award has been organized for the first time and more than 250 NGO partners of HDFC contested for the same. The award was handed over by honourable Mr. Shashidhar Jagdeeshan, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, HDFC Bank at a grand event that was organized by HDFC Bank at Hotel ITC Grand Central in Mumbai on February 14, 2024.
On the occasion, Mr. Malay Kumar, Chief Executive Officer – Prayatn Sanstha, who received the award along with his colleague Mr. Purna Mohapatra, State Programme Manager – Odisha, expressed sincere gratitude towards entire HDFC Bank CSR Team for extending support in making the programme a success. In particular, he thanked Ms. Nusrat Pathan, Head CSR, and Mr. Ritesh Sinha, Head Program, and Mr. Amit Shekhar, State Head East and North CSR for providing the opportunity to work in the remote locations in Odisha. He also thanked Mr. Swaroop Sharma, State Manager – CSR, Odisha for his regular guidance and inputs to the team.
Mr. Malay dedicate this award to all the tribal community-based institutions facilitated in this process, including those of adults as well as children, government school authorities, local administration and Prayatn team members who tirelessly worked together to bring positive change.