Fri Oct 31 21:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Pune-based agri-entrepreneur Vidhya Parshuramkar, 24, has been awarded the fourth Rohini Nayyar Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Development. Her startup, Millets Now, produces “Nutri Dabbas,” nutrient-rich meal packs based on pearl millet, and distributes them to hundreds of thousands of school children in rural India. Parshuramkar is the first woman and youngest person to receive the award, which recognizes pioneering work in rural development, particularly in areas of poverty reduction and rural employment. The initiative benefits both the children and thousands of small farmers by purchasing their grains and incorporating local women in the production and distribution. The award highlights her innovative approach to addressing iron deficiency and supporting rural communities.
News Article:
Young Agri-Entrepreneur Wins Rohini Nayyar Prize for Rural Development Initiative
New Delhi, November 1, 2025 – Vidhya Parshuramkar, a 24-year-old agri-entrepreneur from Pune, has been awarded the prestigious fourth Rohini Nayyar Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Development. Ms. Parshuramkar, the founder of “Millets Now,” was recognized for her innovative “Nutri Dabba” program, which provides pearl millet and vitamin C-rich meal packs to approximately four lakh school children across rural India.
The Rohini Nayyar Prize, awarded by the Rohini Nayyar Foundation, celebrates the legacy of the economist Rohini Nayyar and her work in Indian public policy. Ms. Parshuramkar is the first woman and youngest recipient of the award, which includes a trophy, a citation, and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh.
Professor S. Mahendra Dev, Chairperson of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, presented the award at a ceremony held at the India International Centre in New Delhi. He highlighted Nayyar’s significant contributions to multi-dimensional poverty measurement and her role in the creation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Ms. Parshuramkar’s “Millets Now” initiative addresses iron deficiency in children while simultaneously supporting over 7,000 small-holder farmers. The program purchases grains directly from farmers, providing them with quality seeds, and involves local women and anganwadi workers in the production and distribution of the Nutri Dabbas.
“This award is a tremendous honor and validation of our work,” said Ms. Parshuramkar upon accepting the prize. She emphasized the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and encouraged others to pursue their dreams. “Don’t wait for the right moment and just go for it,” she urged.
Ms. Parshuramkar plans to expand her initiative to other countries in South Asia, further contributing to food security and rural development on a global scale.
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