Juhar Foundation, a Mumbai-based social organisation, launched the seventh batch of its VSS Fellowship Programme for 2026-27 through a virtual event on Sunday, focusing on quality education for underprivileged children in rural western Odisha.Ambassador Arun Sahu (IFS), India’s ambassador to Bulgaria and North Macedonia, and former Rajiv Gandhi Central University vice-chancellor Sushant Nayak were the guests of honour. Sahu urged students to develop curiosity beyond textbooks and strengthen language and numerical skills. Nayak stressed the need to preserve regional languages.Foundation director Arabinda Pati outlined its social initiatives, while VSS Fellowship chairperson Susama Panda said more than 1,000 students had benefited from the programme over six years. Team member Mousumi Mahapatra highlighted the importance of spoken English.Fellow Pragnya Sahu shared her experience from Pandri village, Jharsuguda, while coordinator Prafulla Panda highlighted two learning centres in Jujomura block, Sambalpur. The foundation plans to expand to remote villages.Honour for IIT-BBSIIT Bhubaneswar has received the first prize in the ‘Rajbhasha Excellence Award–2026’ for its outstanding implementation of the Official Language during 2025-26.Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati presented the award at the First International Rajbhasha Annual Summit, Odisha-2026, held here on Aug 21. The summit was jointly organised by the Nagar Rajbhasha Karyanvayan Samiti (NARAKAS) (Office-2), NARAKAS (Undertakings) and NARAKAS (Banks), Bhubaneswar.IIT Bhubaneswar registrar Bamadev Acharya and assistant professor of Physics Dr Indresh Yadav received the award on behalf of the institute.The recognition acknowledges the institute’s efforts towards promoting and effectively implementing Hindi as the official language. Officials said the award reflects the collective commitment of the institute towards strengthening the use of Hindi in its administrative and institutional activities.MBA programme launchDAV School of Business Management (DSBM) inaugurated its MBA programme on Aug 20, with a focus on developing industry-ready and socially responsible professionals.DSBM chairman A K Rath chaired the inaugural session, stressing the importance of quality management education in developing responsible leaders, ethical professionals and socially conscious citizens. DAV Institutions, Odisha, regional director K C Satapathy urged students to continuously work on self-improvement and identify areas requiring capacity building.DSBM principal D N Mishra unveiled a new standard operating procedure for MBA and MCom students, aligned with industry requirements. It includes academic excellence, value-addition programmes, continuous capacity building, academic and corporate mentorship, internships and real-time projects, career mapping and performance tracking.
