Dr. Bhagaban Prakash, the unsung hero from Odisha, graced our Odisha Talks podcast with his presence, an honor indeed. Renowned for his vast reservoir of knowledge and wisdom, Dr. Prakash has been a stalwart in the realm of nation-building.
One of his most notable contributions was orchestrating the transformation of Kottayam, Kerala, into India's first fully literate city in June 1989, a monumental feat that catalyzed a nationwide literacy movement, culminating in Kerala becoming India's inaugural fully literate state by 1991.
Dr. Prakash's visionary leadership extends beyond borders. He spearheaded the conceptualization and establishment of several institutions of national, regional, and international importance, including the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Sriperumbudur; the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Commission of India, New Delhi; and the South Asia Institute of Democracy and Electoral Studies (SAIDES), Kathmandu, Nepal.
His innovative thinking has left an indelible mark on various facets of society. Dr. Prakash pioneered initiatives such as the Youth Development Index (YDI), endorsed by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which later evolved into the Global Youth Development Index (GYDI). He was instrumental in launching India's first Civil Society Index and played a pivotal role in fostering social harmony during turbulent times, notably during the aftermath of the Babri-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute and the Kandhamal riots.
Dr. Prakash's commitment to youth empowerment and civic engagement is exemplified by his advocacy for reducing the minimum voting age in India to 18, a milestone achieved through the 61st Constitution Amendment Act, 1988. His brainchild, the National Voters Day, coupled with the YUVA (Youth Unite for Voter Awareness) policy document, revolutionized voter participation, significantly boosting turnout rates.
