Innovation, collaboration, and co-creation for lasting positive change are my focus
.jpg)
Ongoing Projects
Education isn't just about acquiring knowledge; it's the key that opens doors to new worlds, empowers individuals, and shapes a brighter future.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Assessing the Impact of OKCL’s Educational Initiatives
The Odisha Knowledge Corporation Limited (OKCL) is pioneering a transformative approach to education and skill development in Odisha by integrating Information Technology into various sectors, including education, management, and daily life. Through its extensive range of vocational e-Learning courses and innovative initiatives like the e-Vidyalaya project, which equips over 4,000 high schools with technology, OKCL is making significant strides in enhancing digital literacy and employability among the youth. With a network of over 500 learning centres and state-of-the-art computer facilities, OKCL has already impacted over 250,000 individuals, empowering them with skills and knowledge crucial for modern job markets. This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of OKCL’s offerings, such as the Odisha State Certificate in Information Technology (OS-CIT) and the Digital Employability Enhancement Program (DEEP), ensuring continuous improvement and adaptation to the evolving needs of both rural and urban populations. By assessing outcomes and gathering feedback from participants and experts, OKCL seeks to enhance its programs, thereby further bridging the digital divide and fostering self-employment opportunities across the state.
Helping local NGOs for the project …
This project aims to assess the market demand and marketing system for backyard poultry (BYP) in Odisha, focusing on both native chickens and low-input technology birds. By studying production trends, supply chains, consumer behaviour, government support, and competition, the project will forecast potential market scenarios over the next 5-7 years. This analysis is crucial for promoting rural livelihoods, as it will help identify the potential of BYP farming across different zones of Odisha, define target markets, and understand consumption behaviours based on socio-cultural preferences. The project will also formulate extension strategies to encourage existing and new producers to undertake BYP farming. Effective distribution strategies and a well-structured marketing plan will be developed to boost production, enhance consumer access, and position backyard poultry as a valuable rural enterprise. This project is vital as it will directly contribute to improving rural livelihoods, increasing household income, and building a sustainable and profitable backyard poultry sector in Odisha.
(Team members are Prof. Gautam Prateek and Prof. Tinu Jain)
Contributing to the development of the people of Odisha as the team leader of the IVA for the REWARD project
The REWARD (Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agriculture Resilience through Diversification) project, supported by The World Bank, is a transformative initiative in Odisha aimed at significantly enhancing agricultural productivity and improving the livelihoods of farming communities. By focusing on sustainable watershed management and climate-resilient practices, the project tackles the pressing challenges of climate change and water scarcity through innovative soil and water conservation techniques, advanced irrigation systems, and strategic crop diversification. At the heart of this ambitious effort is the Independent Verifying Agency (IVA), which plays a crucial role in ensuring the project’s success. Through rigorous monitoring and verification of interventions, the IVA ensures that all activities meet established objectives and standards. This independent monitoring not only ensures efficient resource utilisation but also directly empowers the people of Odisha by bolstering agricultural resilience and securing their livelihoods.
(Team members are Prof. Sagarika Mishra, Prof. Satyendra Nath Mishra, and Prof. S. S. Singh)