Devashish Biswal
Devashish Biswal is a graduate of English journalism at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal. He has an eye for stories with the potential to grab people's attention. His deep interest lies in covering human interest stories based on gender, tribal life, education, and culture. He is also an aspiring Radio Jockey and a musician.
How this 15-year-old Odisha girl ‘sprinted’ to a weightlifting record
Preetismita Bhoi made headlines at this year’s IWF World Youth Championships. She tells us how she moved from sprinting to weightlifting due to her coach’s perseverance, and the inspiration she derived from her idol Mirabai Chanu.
Bastar’s ‘pariwar chaupal’ fosters gender equity, rural women’s health
Pariwar Chaupal, a unique initiative launched in Chhattisgarh, is expanding awareness about shared responsibility within households, women’s health, nutrition and gender equity by involving men and other key stakeholders in conversations.
Young tribal woman transforms farming in rain-scarce Malkangiri
Muni Madkami has empowered her village and surrounding communities to reclaim their livelihoods through agriculture, effectively curbing large-scale migration to cities for work.
26-year-old Puri youth leads Odisha’s green revolution
Soumya Ranjan Biswal, the 26-year-old founder of Odisha Paryavaran Sanrakshan Aviyan, has mobilised local communities to protect ecosystems, promote mangrove restoration and Olive Ridley turtle conservation, and organise events to combat sea pollution.
Mother-coach propels Odisha lad to throwball stardom
In a country where cricket and hockey dominate the sports landscape, Odisha athlete Kuldip Samant’s journey offers hope to aspiring throwball players, proving that even the most unlikely dreams can become a reality.
Elderly puppeteers of Odisha keep kandhei nacha alive
Rabi Narayan Jena, Dukhabandhu Jena and Umakanta Jena are fighting to revive the ancient art of kandhei nacha (rod puppetry), despite modern entertainment threatening its existence in Odisha.
Odisha man gains recognition for humanitarian innovations
Ashish Mahana, a 46-year-old from Odisha’s Sambalpur, left his well-paying corporate job to pursue his passion for innovation, developing a smart stick featuring obstacle sensors and GPS tech to aid the blind.
From momos seller to hockey hero, Odisha teen overcomes hardships
Dhenkanal under-19 hockey team captain Debrat Nayak, an 18-year-old from Mangalpur village, works at a street food stall to support his family and fund his hockey gear.
A mother’s determination brings mid-day meals to children in Odisha village
The lack of an anganwadi centre and mid-day meal programme posed challenges for children’s education and nutrition in Kharkhari village until housewife Jyotsna Mohanta took matters into her own hands
This paan seller is an inspiring life coach in rural Odisha
Narahari Malla, a 77-year-old paan shop owner in Baanbarada village of Odisha’s Puri district, imparts invaluable life lessons to students across multiple schools, teaching traditional values and holistic well-being.
The Fighters lead the charge against cancer in Odisha
A group of 60 survivors in Odisha's Bargarh district band together as The Fighters Group and spearheads efforts to combat cancer, culminating in the inauguration of the region's first cancer hospital.
Straw artist Pradeepta Nayak preserves heritage using paddy waste
Armed with little more than paddy straws and a boundless imagination, Odisha’s national award-winning artist Pradeepta Nayak resurrects an ancient art form and empowers women in his native Jirala village through his craft.
A journey of devotion and activism to revive Odisha’s Prachi river
As the once-glorious Prachi river languishes in neglect, a noble initiative known as Prachi Parikrama and led by spiritual guru Paramahamsa Prajnanananda seeks to breathe new life into its waters.
From pond to Padma Shri, Odisha’s aquaculture icon charts new waters
Batakrushna Sahoo, the ‘Aquaman’ of Odisha, rose from humble beginnings to national recognition for revolutionising fish farming and empowering thousands through free training programmes and initiatives like Aqua Chaupal.
Odisha’s guardian angel for the homeless
Setting a profound example of empathy and social responsibility, Bipin Bihari Panda has been rescuing and rehabilitating mentally ill and destitute people from the streets for nine years.
Night-watchman supports Odisha’s Adivasi archers’ Olympic dreams
Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, an archery coach in Jujumura village of Odisha, dedicates his life to coaching aspiring archers from low-income Adivasi families, transcending the boundaries of sport and shaping futures
Jharkhand’s first breast milk bank for premature babies
Rani Hospital in Ranchi offers a lifeline for vulnerable newborns, ensuring pasteurised breast milk for them, promoting health, reducing infections and fostering a community of selfless donors.
Odisha school bridges gap between disability and ability
Teachers at Nandini Devi school for deaf, mute and blind students in Dhenkanal prove that with love and dedication, every obstacle can be transformed into an opportunity.
This Odisha trans woman is breaking barriers with ‘pride’
Chhavi, a transgender person from Banmali Prasad village in Odisha, overcame societal barriers with support from a compassionate stranger. Through her self help group, Chhavi and her team now excel in waste management.
Breaking barriers with ‘pride’
Chhavi Maa's journey from societal confinement to triumph is testament to resilience. She defied prejudice, embraced her true self, and became a beacon of hope for India's LGBTQIA+ community.