Dr. Md. Imran Ali

Recipient, Shambhavi Puraskar 2023

Bhubaneswar (District Khurda), Odisha

You are fondly known as Odisha’s Anti Drug Champion ; a glimmer of hope and an inspiration for today’s youth. Your commendable journey of giving back to the society began in 2008 after seeing the slum children addicted to tobacco and its negative impact on their physical health and mental health, making them aggressive and facing exclusion from society. You got determined to eliminate the influence of substance abuse in the life of children and youth. Your book titled ‘Bloody Gutkha,’ has enumerated the immense harm caused by tobacco products and your volunteer group ‘Nasa Mukti Yuva Sankalp’ has brought about reduction in use of tobacco by bringing behavioural change through infotainment like street plays and informative leaflets.

One of your outstanding achievements has been to stop the sale of Gutkha at OMFED centres through filling a PIL in the Odisha High Court. This resulted in the creation of tobacco free zones around the periphery of schools in three districts of Odisha and effective implementation of COTPA 2003 . This encouraged you to set out a robust advocacy of the anti-tobacco campaign and persevere to seek a complete ban on the sale of tobacco products in Odisha.

Your grit and commitment to the cause is seen in your distinct initiatives like ‘Salaam Jeevan’ a voluntary organisation which focuses on sensitization of second-hand smoke, menace of tobacco and alcohol. Activities undertaken for Drug Free Childhood have ably carried more than 2500 awareness campaign in slum, villages, educational institutions and public offices. Mission Answer to Cancer screening camps creates awareness on early signs of cancer, its detection and prevention. Mission on Wheels is the innovative bike messenger aimed at addressing children and youth to quit all types of substance abuse. It’s overwhelming to note your thoughtful approach for an Inclusive Campaign by developing a Braille Script and use of Sign language for visually & hearing impaired on the same. You have initiated the Centre for De-Addiction Counselling, Training & Research and jointly work with BLISS centres (Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Commissionerate of Police) for furthering effective counselling. Your work is highly appreciated and recognized by all spheres and has also made a place in the India Book of Records for the anti-tobacco campaign in community radio centres across Odisha.

Your humble attributes have been guided by the golden words of your grandmother “Bhalai Kar Bhala Hoga, Burai Kar Bura Hoga, Koi Dekhe Na Dekhe, Khuda Toh Dekhta Hoga” .

In recognition of your leadership and creative ways to motivate children & youth to overcome addiction challenges and embrace a healthy life, your contribution and commitment in the domain of Health & Advocacy across Odisha, the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) has the proud privilege of conferring upon you the Shambhavi Puraskar 2023 which carries a memento, citation and a cash prize of Rs. 2,50,000/-

We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.