| 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 driven by empathy and passion to help the underserved and make a meaningful impact on their lives. Social work was close to his heart, but he wanted to adopt a structured path to bring about a big change. He says, “Joining EDII’s Post Graduate programme gave me the right direction. EDII gave me the clarity to transform my ideas into reality. I realized that by helping the underprivileged with access of finance, I could empower them to live a life with dignity.”
After completing his Post Graduation, Dibyajyoti joined People’s Forum, a non-government organization committed to meeting the credit needs of individuals at the bottom of the economic pyramid. In 2005, he co-promoted Annapurna Finance Private Limited—a microfinance organization. The organization extends both financial and non-financial services to resource-poor and marginalized people in rural and semi-urban areas, enabling them to start or expand small businesses and increase their income.
Dibyajyoti is dedicated to promoting financial independence and providing resources in critical areas, such as women empowerment, sanitation, health and child protection. The organization offers various financial solutions, including; Just in Time Loan (pre-approved emergency loan), Group Loan (Supporting rural households to grow existing businesses and start new livelihood activities), MSME Business Loan, Housing Loan, Samarth Loan (financial assistance to marginalized segments), Safe Water and Sanitation to Households (SWASTH) loan, Dairy Development Loan, Rooftop Solar Loan, Consumer Durable Loan, Home Improvement Loan and PMSVANidhi Loan (providing essential working capital assistance to street vendors).
Under his leadership and guidance, Annapurna Finance has emerged as one of India’s top five NBFC-MFIs (Non-Banking Financial Company – Microfinance Institutions), with an Assets under Management (AUM) of over Rs. 10,400 crore. The organization generates employment opportunities for more than 16,000 people and empowers millions of individuals, especially rural women.
However, Annapurna’s growth journey was also marked by roadblocks. Dibyajyoti had to create knowledge and awareness among customers to enhance their engagement and belief in adopting app-based solutions for availing financial services. His efforts were successful in building trust among rural women who were isolated from cities and needed counselling to trust the activities of Annapurna. For his outstanding work, Dibyajyoti has been recognized among ‘India’s 100 Great People Managers of 2021’ by Forbes India. He also serves as the President of the Odisha Association of Financial Inclusion, working to advance financial inclusion for the disadvantaged people. Dibyajyoti credits EDII for shaping his entrepreneurial path and enabling him to turn his idea into an enterprise. He concludes, “My journey is an example of how a union of purpose, training and mentorship can impact thousands of lives.”