Speakers
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Bhrugu BaxipatraPresident, Southern Odisha Development ForumBhrugu Baxipatra is a senior political leader, communications entrepreneur and social activist from Odisha. He has served as Senior General Secretary and Spokesperson of the Biju Janata Dal since 2024, following several leadership roles in the BJP and BJYM. He has extensive experience in media, tourism, business, political organisation and public advocacy. He holds degrees in Law and Arts and has worked on environmental, development and regional issues. He is actively involved in promoting Odisha’s cultural heritage and the socio-economic development of Southern Odisha.
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Bibhu Prasad SahuFounder and CEO, Youth for Social Development YSDBibhu Prasad Sahu is a non-profit entrepreneur and development practitioner with over 18 years of experience in governance, social accountability, child rights, and youth empowerment. Founder and Secretary & CEO of Youth for Social Development (YSD), Odisha, he has led initiatives promoting citizen participation and inclusive governance. A former World Bank consultant and GPSA Roster Expert, he has pioneered models such as Child-Friendly Constituencies. He holds postgraduate degrees in Economics and Development Leadership and remains committed to equity, social justice, and youth-led change.
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Dr. Namesh KillemsettyDirector, MIT School of Government, MIT World Peace University, PuneDr. Namesh Killemsetty is Director of the MIT School of Department at MIT World Peace University, Pune. A transdisciplinary scholar with over a decade of academic and corporate experience, his work focuses on urban governance, housing, and community rights. With expertise spanning civil engineering and public policy, his ethnographic research explores urban marginalization through gender, identity, class, and caste. His work has received the 2021 Urban Affairs Association Alma H. Young Emerging Scholar Award and international research recognition.
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Preeti Prada PanigrahiDirector, Socratus FoundationPreeti Prada Panigrahi is a senior public policy and equity-focused leader with over 17 years of experience driving evidence-based policy and large-scale development programs across India and other low- and middle-income countries. Currently serving as Director, Programs & Partnerships at Socratus Foundation for Collective Wisdom, she specializes in translating research into actionable policy, building strategic partnerships, and leading multi-stakeholder initiatives. Her expertise spans climate resilience, urban systems, and inclusive governance, complemented by academic training from the London School of Economics and Harvard University.
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Sanjog SahuFounder, Mati FarmsSanjog Sahu is the founder of Mati Farms, a farm-to-fork initiative working with smallholder farmers across India to build ecologically and economically resilient food systems. He brings over a decade of experience in community forestry and agroecology, with academic experience in ecological anthropology at the University of Arizona. A graduate of Symbiosis Law School and former Young India Fellow at Ashoka University, Sanjog is also an environmental poet and nature guide, passionate about making the outdoors accessible to all.
Local Time
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Date: Aug 25 2026
- Time: 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Urban Odisha @2036 (Part 5): Berhampur – Odisha’s Gateway to Southern Growth Corridors
Odisha stands at a pivotal moment in its urban evolution, with each city playing a unique role in shaping the state’s economic, cultural, and climate futures. This webinar series, brings together leaders, experts, and urban thinkers to examine how cities can innovate, collaborate, and drive sustainable growth. From twin-city metropolitan integration to industrial modernization, cultural heritage stewardship, service-led expansion, and tribal-rooted urbanization, each session uncovers pathways for transformation. These dialogues aim to surface city-specific opportunities while building a shared understanding of Odisha’s urban trajectory. Together, we explore how every city can grow with dignity, sustainability, and resilience at its core.
Part 5: Berhampur – Odisha’s Gateway to Southern Growth Corridors
As India undergoes a rapid urban transition, intermediate cities like Berhampur are rapidly emerging as vital hubs for regional mobility, employment, services, and investment. This session explores how Berhampur can evolve into a dynamic regional center while retaining its rich cultural identity, local livelihoods, ecological systems, and vital links to surrounding rural and coastal landscapes.
Bringing together perspectives across urban governance, political leadership, agroecology, and community development, the discussion examines the opportunities and challenges driving Berhampur’s transformation. Participants will evaluate key sectors—including mobility, healthcare, education, trade, housing, and infrastructure—to identify actionable strategies for building an inclusive, climate-resilient, and locally rooted growth gateway for southern Odisha.