Dear Friends,

I am honoured to serve as the Chair of CYSD and extend my heartfelt thanks to both co-founders, Shri Jagadananda and Shri P. K. Sahoo, for this opportunity.

CYSD has been a significant part of my life, representing human-centred, tribal-focused, and rights-based development. The institution is renowned for its core values, which it instils in its team and everyone who engages with it. CYSD’s commitment to standing by people in distress is evident, particularly in its COVID-19 pandemic response. 

For more than 40 years, CYSD has been a hub of innovation, creating and sharing advancements with communities, governments, and partner organizations. Historical partnerships, like with NOVIB, highlight how CYSD’s innovations have influenced broader efforts. CYSD’s role as an incubator is widely recognized, with many people and organizations, both nationally and internationally, having learned and grown through their association with CYSD. I urge everyone to embrace its values. CYSD is not just an organization; it’s a value-driven incubator, fostering no less than 100 successful entities across India.

CYSD's inclusive approach, involving diverse stakeholders and viewpoints, even those critical of it, sets it apart from many other organizations. This inclusivity has fostered innovation, incubation, and collaboration, defining what CYSD stands for. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of this esteemed institution.

At this critical juncture, we face a choice: we can either remain complacent, content with having laptops, smartphones, our children studying without hassle, regular meals for our families, and good health, or we can confront the reality before us. As members of CYSD, a value-driven institution, we cannot turn a blind eye. Our commitment has only deepened over the past 40 years, even though the challenges have not lessened. While we have made strides in improving our community's lives and showing positive impact, recent disruptions have caused significant setbacks. We must find renewed energy to continue our mission.

Firstly, Odisha and India are currently facing significant challenges due to erratic climate change, including increased frequency of extreme weather events like cyclones, floods, and droughts. These events lead to devastating impacts on agriculture, water resources, and infrastructure, thereby exacerbating poverty and displacing communities. At the community level, there is a need to implement sustainable agricultural practices, promote water conservation, and enhance local disaster preparedness. At the state level, it is crucial to develop robust climate-resilient infrastructure, enforce stringent environmental regulations, and invest in renewable energy sources. Additionally, state policies should focus on comprehensive disaster management plans and fostering public-private partnerships to effectively address the impacts of climate change.

Secondly, we are navigating an increasingly restrictive regulatory environment, which has impacted us over the years. Legislation such as GST, Income Tax, and the Societies Registration Act, particularly for CSOs, along with recent amendments to the FCRA Act, have significantly affected our fraternity. We are at a pivotal point, anticipating overcoming these challenges soon. These adversities and obstacles compel us to discover new ways to advance our organization. I urge all of you to use this moment and disruption to strengthen CYSD’s institutional identity, ensuring its continued relevance.

Our third challenge is to ensure the longevity of CYSD's institutional identity beyond its Co-founders, who have dedicated their lives to this organization. CYSD is their first creation, and their affection and commitment remain steadfast. However, it is now time for the next generation of leaders to assume responsibility. We will support future leaders and provide opportunities, but they must be willing to take risks, learn from mistakes, and build confidence. Importantly, both Co-founders and I are committed to supporting you.

Let us reaffirm our commitment to the poor and disadvantaged with renewed vigour and fresh enthusiasm, as the next phase of CYSD’s journey requires new energy and dedication.

Dr. RAJESH TANDON