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.
Watch live streaming of the Business Eminence Awards 2026 here:
Dharitri and Orissa POST Editor Tathagata Satpathy delivers vote of thanks
Dharitri and Orissa POST Editor Tathagata Satpathy, in his vote of thanks, praised Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for taking time out to attend the event and also expressed gratitude to Sampad Chandra Swain for his presence.
He congratulated all the awardees and appreciated their contributions to Odisha’s growth. Satpathy also thanked the Chief Minister for creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and business leaders, urging them to continue striving for excellence in their respective fields to further strengthen the state’s development.
He added that it was encouraging to see a Chief Minister who takes pride in and derives satisfaction from Odisha’s progress.
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi Highlights Odisha’s Growth Vision
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Friday said he was delighted to attend the Business Eminence Awards 2026, thanking Dharitri and Orissa POST for the sustained efforts in recognising entrepreneurs and businesses in the state.
Calling the initiative a recognition of “courage, struggle, self-reliance, perseverance and enterprise”, CM Majhi said entrepreneurship goes far beyond success, adding that every achievement is built on sleepless nights, sustained effort, setbacks and ambition.
He said those who rise from modest beginnings serve as an inspiration not only to society but also to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Majhi thanked Dharitri and Orissa POST Editor Tathagata Satpathy for instituting the awards, describing Dharitri as a reflection of modern Odisha’s evolving ideas, founded in 1974 by noted writer Kalindi Charan Panigrahi during a period of national transition.
He said the publication has consistently reflected the aspirations of younger readers, while noting Orissa POST’s resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it continued operations under difficult conditions to keep audiences informed.
Chief Minister said Odisha stands at the cusp of a new phase of growth, evolving from its traditional strengths in culture, heritage and natural resources into an emerging hub for industry, investment, education, technology and finance. He said the state is now among the faster-growing economies in the country and is strengthening its position in attracting investment.
He said the transformation is being driven by a “double-engine” governance model under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a long-term focus on development and stability.
CM Majhi said Odisha is entering a decisive phase of economic and structural change, with ambitions to become a “Samruddha Odisha” and a “Viksit Odisha” by 2036, when the state marks 100 years of its formation. He reiterated the goal of building a $500 billion economy over the next decade, calling for collective participation from all stakeholders.
He said the state’s growth strategy is balanced, focusing not only on large industries such as steel and energy, but also on MSMEs and emerging sectors including green energy, textiles, apparel, pharmaceuticals, tourism, agriculture and hospitality.
Referring to ‘Enterprise Odisha 2026’ held in January in Rourkela, Majhi said the event saw projects worth Rs 8,008 crore unveiled, 22 MoUs signed and five investment proposals approved, alongside commitments of Rs 52,000 crore in investments and potential employment generation of around 20,000 jobs in small industries.
He also highlighted broader economic and development initiatives across Odisha, including expansion in the apparel sector, the return of Odia workers from other states, the petrochemical project in Paradip and ongoing port infrastructure projects.
Minister Sampad Chandra Swain highlights growth push, skill initiatives in Odisha
In his address, Chief Speaker Sampad Chandra Swain, Minister of Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education, thanked Dharitri and Orissa POST Editor Tathagata Satpathy and CEO Adyasha Satpathy for organising the event, which honours entrepreneurs contributing to Odisha’s growth.
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
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the chief guest, arrived at the event and was warmly welcomed by Dharitri and Orissa POST Editor Tathagata Satpathy and CEO Adyasha Satpathy.
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
