West Medinipur, India — From the peaceful village of Mohanpur in West Medinipur emerges an inspiring story of courage, resilience, and empowerment. Dr. Ananya Das Mahapatra, the daughter of Atin and Jayashree Dasmahapatra, has turned her passion for education and community growth into a powerful movement. Now happily married to Mr. Shyamapada Sahoo, she continues to impact lives through her initiatives.
Blending Education with Culture
Dr. Mahapatra’s academic journey is a beautiful blend of tradition and learning. Holding a Master of Arts (M.A) degree in English, she also trained in classical music, Rabindra Sangeet, Rabindra Nritya, and Bharatnatyam. Not just limited to the arts, she pursued training in Abacus, makeup artistry, and even school teachers’ training. Her passion for women’s empowerment inspired her to co-author the book “Women Empowerment and Economic Development”, alongside 51 other authors, available on Amazon.
Turning Challenges into Stepping Stones
Life threw unexpected challenges her way. In the midst of a promising career, Dr. Mahapatra was diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension—a rare condition that took her vision. Despite this, her spirit remained unbroken. She founded Ana Knowledge Arena Private Limited, determined to create opportunities for women to achieve financial independence and self-reliance.
ANABACUS: Changing Lives, One Calculation at a Time
In May 2023, Dr. Mahapatra launched ANABACUS, a project under Ana Knowledge Arena Private Limited. Focused on empowering women, ANABACUS provides Abacus training that allows women and girls to earn a livelihood. Through her guidance, ANABACUS has opened doors for many to become financially independent and self-sufficient.
Dancing Across Borders
Dr. Mahapatra’s talent also shines on the stage. She was invited to perform at the International Dance Festival of Bangladesh, where she was awarded Best Dancer. That moment marked an international recognition of her dedication to cultural arts. But life’s challenges did not spare her—she experienced the heartbreaking loss of her child during pregnancy, followed by worsening nerve issues. With the support of her husband, she found the strength to continue her mission.
Ana Kids: Building the Future Generation
On January 22, 2025, Dr. Mahapatra took her vision one step further by launching Ana Kids, a play school designed to enrich young minds with education and cultural values. Plans are already in motion to expand Ana Kids into a high school that nurtures children with strong cultural roots and academic excellence.
Recognitions that Celebrate Her Journey
Dr. Mahapatra’s relentless dedication has not gone unnoticed. She was honored with the prestigious Bharat Ratna Gourav Award from the National Education Forum in April 2025. Her list of awards also includes:
- Ananya Samman (2023)
- Serar Sera Samman (2023)
- Bengal Icon (2023)
- Srestha Bangali (2024)
- Sampurna Samman (2024)
- Natya Mohini Award for Dance
- Bongo Shrestha Samman for Dance
- Doshobhuja Samman (2024)
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Growth
Dr. Ananya Das Mahapatra is not just building institutions; she is building futures. With her sights set on expanding Ana Kids into a full-fledged high school, she continues to champion women’s empowerment and cultural enrichment. Her journey serves as a shining example of how resilience, vision, and dedication can transform communities.
