Interview Times 
Born in Bidharpur, a village in the Gondia block of Dhenkanal district, Dr. Banamali Das’s life is a testament to how determination and empathy can reshape entire communities. Growing up in poverty, studying under a thatched shed and later inside a rice mill at night, he learnt early that education is the only bridge between struggle and empowerment. Owning just two pairs of clothes, borrowing books, and enduring years of hardship, he made a silent promise to himself—no child should suffer for education the way he did. That promise grew into a lifelong mission.
Dr. Das’s journey as an educator began in the deeply marginalized tribal regions of Cuttack, inhabited by Munda, Santal and Saura communities. With no proper school system, widespread illiteracy, and heavy reliance on superstition, the region remained cut off from mainstream progress. Guided by his spiritual mentor Sri Sri Tikki Baba, Dr. Das took a bold step: he founded a school at Bhalunka, Ratagad. To build trust and encourage attendance, he started by providing biscuits and milk twice a week, gradually expanding it to daily meals. This small gesture brought children to classrooms and slowly transformed the community’s mindset.
His own experiences of deprivation—studying without electricity, wearing the same slippers for five years, struggling for even basic books—fuel his commitment to ensure that every child in his school receives not only education but also dignity, equity, and emotional support. Yet the challenges remain steep. Social prejudice against tribal children, lack of parental awareness, economic hardships, and resistance to behavioural change continue to hinder progress. But Dr. Das meets each obstacle with unwavering patience and persistence.
A farmer by livelihood and an educationist by passion, he juggles both worlds with humility. Despite limited support from his own family, he has never wavered from his mission. With the blessings of Sri Sri Tikki Baba, he has conducted numerous awareness programs—on education, hygiene, social equity and cultural harmony—helping bridge the gap between tribal communities and mainstream society.
In 2025, Dr. Das received the Honorary Doctorate in Social Service, a recognition that he cherishes deeply. For him, the honour symbolizes decades of struggle, service, and transformation. But more than accolades, he values the smiles of children who now dream bigger, stand taller, and step into a world once beyond their reach.
Dr. Das envisions a future where every tribal village has a school, where a Tribal University offers higher education to marginalized youth, and where learning becomes a shared right, not a privilege. His message to young changemakers is simple yet profound: education alone is not enough—awareness is essential. With awareness comes empathy, equality, and true social progress.
His life stands as a reminder that one committed individual can spark a movement—and many such sparks can illuminate an entire generation.
