BIPF felicitates six scholars with Professor Ghanashyam Dash Scholarship for higher education

Bhubaneswar, June 12: The Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) has honoured six meritorious students with the esteemed Professor Ghanashyam Dash Scholarship for Higher Education (PGDS) for the academic year 2024–2025.

The scholarship, aimed at supporting bright students pursuing professional degrees in engineering, medicine, STEM, and liberal arts, covers up to 90% of academic fees and other eligible expenses for a four-year course—amounting to a maximum of ₹6 lakh per student.

This year’s recipients include two engineering aspirants—Sandip Subhrajit Sahoo (IIT Hyderabad) and Tarini Prasad Mishra (IIT BHU, Varanasi)—and four medical students—Satyajeet Parida and Alok Kumar Sahoo (AIIMS Bhubaneswar), Dibya Jyoti Jena (SCB Medical College, Cuttack), and Ariyan Sahoo (FM Medical College, Balasore).

At the felicitation ceremony, Subhrakant Panda, Managing Director of IMFA and Trustee of BIPF, emphasized the foundation’s vision: “Education is a powerful catalyst for social transformation and economic progress. Through the Professor Ghanashyam Dash Scholarship, we invest in future leaders who will drive innovation and change in our society. The mentorship component ensures holistic development and helps these bright young minds realise their full potential.”

Instituted in 2005 by IMFA, the scholarship commemorates the legacy of distinguished historian and scholar Prof. Ghanashyam Dash, father of the late Mrs. Ila Panda. The program is rooted in the belief that financial limitations should not hinder deserving students from accessing quality higher education.

To further strengthen its impact, BIPF has integrated a structured Mentorship component into the program. Each scholar is paired with an executive mentor from IMFA through its Employee Volunteer Scheme. This initiative offers professional guidance, academic support, and moral encouragement, fostering personal and career growth for the awardees.

With this initiative, BIPF continues to nurture Odisha’s promising talents, helping shape future leaders in diverse fields.