Anil Pradhan Honored with Rohini Nayyar Prize

Anil Pradhan has been awarded the prestigious Rohini Nayyar Prize for 2024, recognizing his impactful contributions to rural development in India. Known for his dedication to empowering rural communities, Pradhan’s work has brought positive change and opportunities to underserved areas.

Background of the Award

• The Rohini Nayyar Prize honors young leaders under 40 making notable contributions to rural development in India.
• It was established in memory of Rohini Nayyar, an economist and former IAS officer in Uttar Pradesh who served with the Planning Commission of India.
• The award includes a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, a citation, and a trophy.

About Anil Pradhan

• Anil Pradhan, co-founder of the Young Tinker Foundation, received the Rohini Nayyar Prize for his work in STEM education for underserved communities.
• Pradhan, 28, is an engineer and educationist from Baral village in Odisha.
• He is dedicated to providing hands-on STEM education to rural students, encouraging innovation and problem-solving skills.

Young Tinker Foundation’s Initiatives

• The Young Tinker Foundation is a non-profit organization focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in underserved areas.
• These are labs where students can innovate and create using available tools and materials, allowing hands-on learning in subjects like robotics and 3D printing.
• A mobile lab initiative, bringing STEM education to remote rural areas so students who cannot reach stationary labs can still access educational resources.

Expansion and Impact

• Originally focused in Pradhan’s home village, the foundation has now expanded to Telangana, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
• Pradhan aims to change perceptions about rural life and farming, challenging stereotypes about poverty and farming in villages.

Presentation of the Award

• Pradhan was presented with the award by R. A. Mashelkar, a renowned scientist and former Director General of CSIR.
• During the award event, Pradhan emphasized the need to redefine narratives around rural communities, especially those involving poverty.

Legacy of Rohini Nayyar

• Rohini Nayyar, in whose memory the award is given, made significant contributions to poverty alleviation and rural development.
• According to Mashelkar, Nayyar approached poverty in a fundamentally different way, aiming to reshape how poverty is understood and addressed.