DEFT India

DEFT India We are a Public Charitable Trust located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

We work for grassroot entrepreneurship development at speed and scale that enables people’s participation in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

17/04/2026

Development & Environment Futures Trust (DEFT) celebrated its 4th Foundation Day on 11 April 2026 with great enthusiasm, bringing together partner organizations, stakeholders, academicians, government officials, students, and well-wishers.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Rabinaryan Patra, Trustee of DEFT, followed by the presentation of the Annual Report by Dr. Arabinda Mishra, Chairperson, DEFT. A significant highlight was the unveiling of DEFT’s new logo and brochure by Mr. Somnath Chakraborty (CEO) and Mr. Saroj Mishra (Founder Trustee).

Prof. Basavaraj Benni from the University of Bangalore graced the event as the Chief Guest, who shared insightful perspectives on organizational growth and sustainability.
As part of the celebrations, DEFT conferred the “Social Change Makers” Awards to five inspiring individuals from diverse sectors, recognizing their impactful contributions to society.
The occasion also marked the release of Tanta-Katha, a compendium of case studies on Odisha’s handloom sector. The publication is a result of a longitudinal research project undertaken by the Department of Analytical & Applied Economics, Utkal University, in collaboration with DEFT, and supported by ICSSR.
A key highlight of the day was an engaging group discussion on the theme “Reimagining Rural Futures,” featuring eminent panelists and active audience participation. The session explored critical themes such as entrepreneurship development, circular economy, and climate solutions. The discussion was introduced by Mr. Somnath Chakraborty and expertly moderated by Dr. Arabinda Mishra.
The celebration concluded on a note of collective commitment with Team DEFT reaffirming its vision to continue working towards sustainable and inclusive futures.

17/04/2026

Development & Environment Futures Trust (DEFT) celebrated its 4th Foundation Day on 11 April 2026 with great enthusiasm, bringing together partner organizations, stakeholders, academicians, government officials, students, and well-wishers.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Rabinaryan Patra, Trustee of DEFT, followed by the presentation of the Annual Report by Dr. Arabinda Mishra, Chairperson, DEFT. A significant highlight was the unveiling of DEFT’s new logo and brochure by Mr. Somnath Chakraborty (CEO) and Mr. Saroj Mishra (Founder Trustee).

Prof. Basavaraj Benni from the University of Bangalore graced the event as the Chief Guest, who shared insightful perspectives on organizational growth and sustainability.
As part of the celebrations, DEFT conferred the “Social Change Makers” Awards to five inspiring individuals from diverse sectors, recognizing their impactful contributions to society.
The occasion also marked the release of Tanta-Katha, a compendium of case studies on Odisha’s handloom sector. The publication is a result of a longitudinal research project undertaken by the Department of Analytical & Applied Economics, Utkal University, in collaboration with DEFT, and supported by ICSSR.
A key highlight of the day was an engaging group discussion on the theme “Reimagining Rural Futures,” featuring eminent panelists and active audience participation. The session explored critical themes such as entrepreneurship development, circular economy, and climate solutions. The discussion was introduced by Mr. Somnath Chakraborty and expertly moderated by Dr. Arabinda Mishra.
The celebration concluded on a note of collective commitment with Team DEFT reaffirming its vision to continue working towards sustainable and inclusive futures.

Team Deft wishes all a very happy and auspicious Odia new year 🙌🙏ନବ ବର୍ଷର ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ।
14/04/2026

Team Deft wishes all a very happy and auspicious Odia new year 🙌🙏

ନବ ବର୍ଷର ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ।

The event featured two technical sessions on “Physiological and Public Health Understanding of Heat” and “Planning, Prep...
10/04/2026

The event featured two technical sessions on “Physiological and Public Health Understanding of Heat” and “Planning, Preparedness, and Implementation of Risk Reduction Strategies.” Experts from multiple disciplines and stakeholders held discussions highlighting the progress in understanding heat-heath challenges and timely heat-health preparedness within there own disciplines. The consensus emerged on three key point. Firstly, need for a multi-stakeholder platform for deliberations at the city level for integrative adaptation strategies. Secondly, an urgent call for collecting and collating currently dispersed data for recording heat exposures and heat related illnesses. Thirdly, developing capacity, training and awareness initiatives targeted towards specific heat vulnerabilities such as cooling mechanisms and employer based health protection measures.
The Bhubaneswar Heat Health Forum brings together a broad-based coalition to address the slow crisis that heat-health concerns pose. This Forum needs to be institutionalised and convened on a regular basis to act as a force multiplier by bringing together policy makers, practitioners and the civil society. There is an urgent need for a HHF to strengthen inter-agency collaboration to launch an effective response to the heat-health challenges. Bhubaneswar city is well-placed to make a land-mark contribution in this regard in India and globally.
HeatAwareness

Bhubaneswar Heat Health Forum Calls for Strengthening Heat Adaptation EffortsBhubaneswar, Odisha8 April, 2026 The Bhuban...
10/04/2026

Bhubaneswar Heat Health Forum Calls for Strengthening Heat Adaptation Efforts
Bhubaneswar, Odisha
8 April, 2026

The Bhubaneswar Heat Health Forum was held on 8 April 2026 under the aegis of the “Economic and Health Impact Assessment of Heat Adaptation Action” (CHHANW) project. The Forum was hosted by the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) in collaboration with the Development and Environment Futures Trust (DEFT). The Forum served as a convening platform for stakeholders and experts across different domains related to heat risks to human health and included representatives from the government, academia, UN technical agencies, implementation partner organisations and civil society representatives.

The Forum commenced with welcome notes by Prof. Purnamita Dasgupta, Principal Investigator, IEG, and Dr. Arabinda Mishra, Co-PI and Chairperson, DEFT. Shri Kali Prasanna Mohapatra, IAS, Director of Higher Education, Government of Odisha graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and Smt. Swayamprava Mohanty, IAS, Special Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha as the Guest of Honour. Both emphasised urgency of adaptation strategies to reduce heat related challenges faced by vulnerable communities including staff at frontline institutions such as Anganwadi workers.
A review of heat action plan and management in Bhubaneswar city was presented by IEG and DEFT, which revealed that the Heat Action Plan is very well designed.
The specific guidance is actionable and pioneering in certain aspects such as gender and early warning systems. BMC is credited with meeting almost 100% requirements of water and energy during heat seasons

Dr. Arabinda Mishra, Chairperson of DEFT, was invited by the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) to deliver a...
26/03/2026

Dr. Arabinda Mishra, Chairperson of DEFT, was invited by the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) to deliver a keynote lecture in a workshop on “Climate Change Impacts on the Economy” held on 23–24 March 2026 in MIDS premises. In his keynote, Dr. Mishra drew from his extensive field research experience to share valuable insights on “Survey-based Climate Change Research in Developing Economies: Key Methodological Challenges to be Addressed”. The workshop brought together academicians, researchers, and environmental experts from leading institutions across India, fostering rich dialogue on pressing climate challenges.

ResearchMethodology PolicyResearch ClimateAction AcademicLeadership KnowledgeExchange Environment India DEFT

Dr. Arabinda Mishra, Chairperson of DEFT, participated as a discussant at the AgriMaitri India Roundtable: Reimagining I...
21/03/2026

Dr. Arabinda Mishra, Chairperson of DEFT, participated as a discussant at the AgriMaitri India Roundtable: Reimagining Indo-Australian Agribusiness Collaboration, held at the Australian High Commission, New Delhi on 16 March 2026, and at Marriott, Jaipur on 19 March 2026.

The initiative, led by Western Sydney University (WSU) in collaboration with the C.C.S. National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), Jaipur, convened key stakeholders from India and Australia to explore new pathways for strengthening global agribusiness ecosystems and enhancing the growing Indo-Australian partnership.

Both roundtables witnessed the presence of distinguished leaders from agribusiness, agripreneurs, academia, senior government officials, diplomats, and representatives from the farming community, fostering meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative opportunities.

04/03/2026

Team DEFT wishes Happy Holi to one and all !

DEFT, as the implementing partner, had the privilege of coordinating the visit of a 10-member delegation from the Nepal ...
18/02/2026

DEFT, as the implementing partner, had the privilege of coordinating the visit of a 10-member delegation from the Nepal Institute of Development Studies (NIDS) and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, from 9–14 February, under the research initiative “Successful Migration Pathways for Migration as Adaptation (SUCCESS).”

The delegation comprised representatives from local government bodies and senior officials from the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security and the Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal. The visit aimed to provide hands-on exposure to labour migration dynamics and governance practices in Odisha.

As part of the programme, a Round Table Conference on “Migration in Odisha” was organized on 10 February, bringing together experts from civil society organizations, academic institutions, and government departments for a rich and insightful dialogue. Eminent speakers such as Dr Amina Mahajan (ICIMOD),Dr Madhubrata Raysingh(NLUO),Shri Umi Daniel(Aide-et-Action), Mr Jobin Chacko( Gram Vikash) made presentations on Labour Migration in Odisha and Dr Abha Mishra,(UNDP,Odisha) moderated the round table.
Dr Arabinda Mishra, Chairperson, DEFT presided over the conference and Prof.Rabinarayan Patra, Trustee,DEFT delivered the concluding remarks.

The delegation also undertook impactful field visits across different regions of Odisha, coordinated by DEFT in collaboration with Gram Vikas, enabling direct interaction with communities and stakeholders engaged in migration-related initiatives.

This exchange fostered meaningful cross-border learning and strengthened regional collaboration on migration as a pathway for adaptation and resilience.

13/02/2026

Shilpi Shibira – A Skill Development Workshop for Women Entrepreneurs

Under the “Ma Milan” initiative, part of the project “Just Transition: Creating a Green Tourism Corridor in the Chilika Area” led by Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Development & Environment Futures Trust (DEFT) supported by the MacArthur Foundation, a three-day workshop “Shilpi Shibira” was organized from 9–11 February at Langaleshwar Gram Panchayat.

Around 70 women entrepreneurs from the Chilika region participated in hands-on training in cane & bamboo craft, soft toy making, and appliqué work , guided by expert trainers from across Odisha.

The workshop strengthened skills, design innovation, and market readiness creating pathways for sustainable, green tourism linked livelihoods.

Dr. Arabinda Mishra (Chairperson, DEFT), Mr. Somnath Chakraborty (Project Director), and the Sarpanch of Langaleshwar appreciated the dedication and creativity of the participants. Certificates were distributed to all participants at the end of the workshop.

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Plot Number 4423 (C Block), Jharana Sahi, Bargarh
Bhubaneswar
751018

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+916372023774

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