Deepika Mahila Sanghati president Manjari Prasad has been conferred with Global CSR Excellence and leadership Award for 'Social Entrepreneurship' by World CSR Congress at Mumbai on February 18.
It is worth mentioning here that under the leadership of Prasad, the members of the Sanghati are engaged in a range of activities that have brought in positive changes in the lives of many people. Under her guidance, 'Deepika Mahila Jagruti Sansthan,' a dedicated complex, has been set up which has today become an epicentre of women's empowerment.
In association with the Rourkela Steel Plant, the Sanghati has set up a handloom centre "Deepika Hast Kargha." The centre has commenced operations on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti in 2012 and has become a source of inspiration for the poor and underprivileged woman.
The Sanghati is also managing Deepika Ispat Sikshya Sadan, a free school for the underprivileged set up by the Rourkela Steel Plant. About 350 children living in the slums or the servants' quarters of Rourkela are reading there. Besides, the Sanghati is also running Deepika Beginners's Academy, a kindergarten school.
The Sanghati with the help of the doctors of the Ispat General Hospital is regularly conducting health camps in periphery villages as well as in the city of Rourkela and also distributing free medicines. A masala centre and a tailoring unit being run by the Sanghati have become sources of income for many a poor woman.