Dr. Varnali Deka: Architect of Nalbari’s Agrarian Revolution with ODOP Triumph

Dr. Varnali Deka, a 2009-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has earned the prestigious ODOP Award for her transformative leadership as District Commissioner of Nalbari, Assam. Her pioneering work in spearheading the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, centred on paddy and innovative derivatives like Komal Chawal—a zero-fuel rice preparation—has revolutionised Nalbari’s agrarian economy, fostering sustainable development and inclusive growth. With a stellar academic background (B.Tech, MBA, LLB, PhD in Commerce), Dr. Deka blends technical expertise, operational acumen, and socio-economic insight to drive impactful change.

Deka's ODOP Award celebrates her visionary approach in leveraging Nalbari’s rice heritage to create a sustainable economic hub, akin to the push-back model of Tata’s Jamshedpur, breaking dependency through local agency and state-led innovation. Dr. Deka’s strategic thinking shines in aligning ODOP with national priorities, engaging SHGs, farmers, and local institutions to boost export-driven growth and community empowerment.

Beyond ODOP, her leadership during the COVID-19 crisis—marked by effective vaccination drives and awareness campaigns—showcased her crisis management prowess. Her global outlook, demonstrated through engagements like representing Assam in Mauritius and presenting local innovations to a Bangladeshi delegation in New Delhi, underscores her ability to elevate regional initiatives onto the world stage. Dr. Deka’s blend of administrative excellence and strategic foresight makes her a transformative force in governance.