Dibyajyoti Pattanaik

Name of the beneficiary Dibyajyoti Pattanaik
Project/Programme Name PGDMN, 2002-2003
Name of the enterprise floated Annapurna Finance Private Limited
Awards Rec’d EDII President’s Alumnus Award 2021-Social EntrepreneurForbes India recognized Mr. Dibyajyotish Pattanaik among ‘India’s 100 Great People Managers of 2021’

Name of the Beneficiary

Dibyajyoti Pattanaik

Project/Programme Name

PGDMN, 2002-2003

Name of the enterprise floated

  • Annapurna Finance Private Limited

Awards Received

  • EDII President’s Alumnus Award 2021-Social Entrepreneur
  •  Forbes India recognized Mr. Dibyajyotish Pattanaik among ‘India’s 100 Great People Managers of 2021’

Dibyajyoti was always moved by the plight of the poor and sought a way to make a lasting impact on their lives. Despite his charity work, he struggled to find a clear direction until he discovered EDII’s Post Graduate Programme in Management. “There’s been no looking back,” he says. “EDII gave me the direction to transform my ideas into reality. I figured out that if I could help the underprivileged with finance, they would perhaps gain the confidence to make several moves in the direction of securing a decent livelihood.”

After graduating from EDII’s PGDMN programme, Dibyajyoti Pattanaik joined Peopleʼs Forum, a non-government organization catered to the credit needs of individuals at the bottom of the economic pyramid. In 2005, Dibyajyoti along with founder of People’s Forum promoted Annapurna Finance. Annapurna, a Micro-Finance programme, was founded on the belief of empowering women as they are the backbone of the economy.

Dibyajyoti is dedicated to promoting financial independence and providing resources in critical areas like women empowerment, sanitation, health, and child protection. Annapurna Finance Pvt. Ltd., has empowered millions of underprivileged individuals and is now one of the top 5 NBFC-MFI (Non-Banking Financial Company – Micro Finance Institution) in india. Annapurna Finance is employing over 16,000 people and has an Assets Under Management (AUM) of over ₹ ₹10,400 crore. He also serves as President of Odisha Association of Financial Inclusion to serve the poor through responsible finance.

Annapurna offers custom loans like the Samarth Loan is a product for financial inclusion of persons with disabilities, unmarried women, widowed women, and transgender. The SWASTH (Safe Water and Sanitation to Households) Loan ensures access to safe water and sanitation facilities. Annapurna’s CSR initiatives include Aama Ghara, a child care institute, and the Mobile Medical Unit (MMU), was introduced as a post disaster initiative after cyclone Fani hit Odisha.