Paras Bhai, the Project Coordinator of AVARD Foundation for Rural Development (AFFORD), New Delhi arrived at G. Udayagiri Block of Boudh & Phulbani District in the year 1983 with a responsibility to lead the execution aspect of the action cum research project on “Mother, Child, and Family Welfare” with the support of the Family Planning Foundation of India, New Delhi. He came closer and became more acceptable with the local people during his work and voluntarily bent down his mindset to continue his life in the district for serving the innocent/less privileged without leaving them far away from him. The year 1985 was the ending period of AVARD project. There was no opportunity to continue the presence of Paras Bhai without social project in Kandhamal District. But his greatness of the past endeavor in regards to social transformation invited the kind of attention of the Hon’ble Dist. Collector & Dist. Magistrate, Sj. Aurobindo Behera, IAS.
Mr. Behera, the then Dist. Collector, Phulbani encouraged and suggested Paras Bhai to promote a voluntary organization for continuation of his presence and ongoing social work in the district. This was the inspiration that brought forward the dream for the birth of PRDATA. This was also the perspective future aspect of AFFORD project in Odisha. The notion this mission to achieve the second line leadership in the district with a face of social revolution. After that, the associated persons of AFFORDs project called from different parts of India and lastly concluded the birth of the voluntary organization "PRDATA" PRDATA registered under Indian Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 in the date 8th May, 1986 of Societies Registration Act, Odisha. Paras Bhai took the leadership of PRDATA as the Executive Secretary and to lead the journey ahead. PRDATA focused on G. Udayagiri Block of the District as its coverage area and inclined with the vision to promote people’s empowerment through people’s development.
It has adopted the dynamics of knowledge banking with common people and extended the support services of health education, hygiene behavioral changes, rural sanitation, introduction of biogas energy consumption, low-cost housing, soil management, micro irrigation non-conventional energy management, availability of safe drinking water and promotion of rural technological upgradation and adoption at village level. Health sector focused priority field primarily and mother and child were the targeted intervention. Its operation expanded to other Blocks like Phulbani, Khajuripada, Tikabali and Kotagarh in the district within the period of 3 years after its birth. In the year 1989-90 PRDATA objectively focused on the concept of general equity and establish a training center for women at G. Udayagiri Block. Micro insurance concept was the innovative intervention launched by PRDATA in the district during the year 1989. In the year 1992 PRDATA extended its operation at Raikia, Chakapad and K. Nuagaon Block in the district.
In the year 1993 PRDATA also extended its coverage area to Tumudibandha, Balliguda and Daringbadi Block of the District. Now PRDATA is having its operational area at Tumudibandha, Kotagarh, G. Udayagiri, Tikabali and Phiringia Block of Kandhamal district with specific projects. PRDATA has obtained the support funding from CAPART New Delhi, Canadian Hunger Foundation, CEBEMO, Netherland; AFPRO, New Delhi; SIDA, New Delhi; HelpAge India, New Delhi; Ministry of Health & FW, New Delhi; UNICEF, Bhubaneswar; OREDA, Bhubaneswar; CAPART-DANIDA Umbrella Fund Phase II, RD Orissa; Banabasi Seva Samiti; Gopabandhu Daridra Narayan Seva Samiti FIH; Norway WWF, India; CRS, Jatni; Memisha, Netherlands; IGSSS, New Delhi; ICCO, New Delhi; DST, New Delhi; AFFORD, New Delhi; FORRAD, New Delhi; AVARD, New Delhi; PLAN-PREM; CARE-Orissa, Bhubaneswar; Dist. Administration, Kandhamal; Govt. of Odisha; Govt. of India; Action Aid; EFICOR and the other well-wishers and individual donors. Slowly the ongoing activities of PRDATA achieved its strong presence before the people and the support agencies. PRDATA changed its approaches from actions project to actions research projects.
