ASBM University Confers Honorary Doctorate on CYSD Co-founder Jagadananda

Recognition for four decades of work with Odisha’s tribals, migrants, urban poor and disaster-hit communities

By A.K.Sahoo

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 23: The Asian School of Business Management (ASBM) University has conferred the Honorary Doctoral Degree in Development Management on Shri Jagadananda, Co-founder of the Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD), at its 5th Convocation held in Bhubaneswar. The honour acknowledges his over four decades of pioneering work with Odisha’s tribal groups, distressed migrants, urban poor, and disaster-affected communities.

The ceremony was graced by Prof. Biswajeet Pattanayak, President of ASBM University; Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Member of the National Human Rights Commission and former Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court; and Dr. Subhransu Sekhar Acharya, CMD of the National Small Industries Corporation of India.

Accepting the honour, Shri Jagadananda said, “This degree is not just a personal recognition but a tribute to the resilience and courage of the people of Odisha. Their struggles and aspirations have been my greatest teachers.” He dedicated the award to the people of the state, emphasising that their resilience and unyielding hope continue to inspire his journey.

Highlighting Odisha’s challenges, he noted that the state is home to more than 9 million tribal citizens—23% of the population—many still marginalised. Over a million people migrate annually in distress, while the state has endured 15 major cyclones and multiple floods in the past two decades.

Calling for stronger policy interventions, Jagadananda urged governments to deepen investments in tribal empowerment, safe migration, urban resilience, and disaster preparedness. He also appealed to academia to bridge research with grassroots realities, nurture young leaders in development management, and innovate community-driven solutions.

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