Renowned Doctor Donates Residence for Women’s College Hostel in Sambalpur

Sambalpur: A prominent figure in Odisha’s Sambalpur, Dr. Narayani Panda, a renowned gynaecologist and social activist, has generously donated her two-storey residence in Bhutapada to the Government Women’s College in the city. Dr. Panda originally intended to establish a school in the building but encountered challenges, leading her to opt for this charitable contribution.

The decision aims to address the shortage of hostel facilities for students at the women’s college in western Odisha. Currently, students are compelled to reside in rented accommodations throughout Sambalpur due to inadequate facilities. Dr. Panda’s spacious house is now designated to serve as a hostel for college students, enhancing their living arrangements.

Expressing her commitment to the cause, Dr. Panda highlighted the building’s suitability for a women’s hostel, ensuring a comfortable stay for college girls. The first floor of the house will be utilized for this purpose, with plans for the college to assume full ownership after Dr. Panda’s demise.

This act of generosity follows Dr. Panda’s earlier philanthropic gesture in 2021, where she contributed Rs 30 lakh to her alma mater, Gangadhar Meher University (GMU), as part of the state government’s ‘Mo College Abhiyan.’ The government subsequently matched the donation with a grant of Rs 60 lakh, funding the establishment of a Center for IT Skills at GMU.