Bhubaneswar: The much-anticipated Business Eminence Awards 2026, jointly organised by English daily Orissa POST and Odia daily Dharitri, is being held Thursday at Hotel Swosti Premium in Bhubaneswar, bringing entrepreneurial excellence across industries to the forefront as leaders celebrate stories of resilience, adaptation and success.
Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister of Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Sampad Chandra Swain are set to attend the award ceremony and recognise excellence across sectors, underscoring Odisha’s evolving development story.
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Swain said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the foundation stone has been laid for 148 proposals worth Rs 2.87 lakh crore, while multiple MoUs have been signed, which will benefit Odisha in the near future.
He further said that under the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), 433 proposals worth over Rs 8 lakh crore have been approved. He attributed this to growing trust in the state government and an investment-friendly environment that is attracting businesses to Odisha.
The minister said Odisha is set to get two pharma parks and is focusing on labour-intensive industries to boost employment.
He added that Odisha has secured the top position under India Skills. As in Bhubaneswar, two World Skill Centres will be established in Sambalpur and Berhampur.
Swain also said the government is providing financial support to student entrepreneurs to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the state.
Adyasha Satpathy delivers welcome address
Dharitri and Orissa POST CEO Adyasha Satpathy delivers the welcome address, thanking Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister of Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Sampad Chandra Swain for their presence at the occasion.
“We launched the Business Eminence Awards in 2021, during the Covid period, to recognise entrepreneurs who take risks, create opportunities, and generate employment,” said Adyasha Satpathy.
She noted that business is often undervalued in society, where stable income and salaried jobs are typically preferred.
“That is why we aim to recognise and encourage those in this room who have succeeded through their own effort, taken risks, and emerged as job creators,” she said.
She added that every individual present is a job provider, and the initiative seeks to honour their contributions as entrepreneurs.
Recalling the early years of the awards, she said that around six years ago most awardees were from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, and there were concerns about sustaining participation each year.
“We are delighted to see new enterprises emerging every year, with innovative work being recognised. Entrepreneurs from across Odisha, beyond Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, are now represented,” she said.
She also highlighted the broader industrial growth across the state.
“Congratulations to all of you. You are achievers and job providers, contributing to growth and fostering a strong business environment in Odisha,” she said.
Satpathy added that the Business Eminence Awardees are key contributors to Odisha’s growth.
She reiterated that Dharitri and Orissa POST have consistently strived to remain both pro-people and pro-industry.
Chief Guest Mohan Charan Majhi arrives
Chief Speaker Sampad Chandra Swain arrives
Minister of Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Sampad Chandra Swain, also the Chief Speaker at the event, arrived at the award ceremony. Dharitri and Orissa POST Editor Tathagata Satpathy and CEO Adyasha Satpathy extend a warm welcome.
Stage set for Business Eminence Awards 2026
Awardees and esteemed guests take their seats as the ceremony is about to begin.
Awardees start arriving
Distinguished awardees arrive at the award venue, receive warm welcome from Dharitri and Orissa POST Editor Tathagata Satpathy, CEO Adyasha Satpathy
