Bhubaneswar: The much-anticipated Business Eminence Awards 2025, jointly organised by Odisha’s only home-grown English daily OrissaPOST and Odia daily Dharitri, is being held Saturday at Hotel Swosti Premium in Bhubaneswar.
The prestigious event was formally inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Founder of Biggies Burger Biraja Prasad Rout, Editor of OrissaPOST and Dharitri Tathagata Satpathy, and CEO of OrissaPOST and Dharitri Adyasha Satpathy. Singh Deo attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest, while Rout is the Chief Speaker.
Catch the full coverage of the event here:
In her welcome address, CEO of OrissaPOST and Dharitri, Adyasha Satpathy, thanked all the attendees, as well as the Chief Guest and Chief Speaker. She congratulated all the awardees and said, “We realise how tough it is to run a successful business—not just in Odisha, but anywhere. We know this as we run a media business.”
She reflected that Dharitri has completed 50 remarkable years, and throughout that journey, it was learned that true growth in business comes from embracing and overcoming challenges.
She said the team had faced daily challenges in journalism and had always strived to remain fearless and impartial—an approach inspired by Editor Tathagata Satpathy, who had stepped away from politics to uphold journalism as a fair platform and a voice for the people.
She added, “OrissaPOST was launched with the mission to fill the gap for English readers in Odisha who needed credible news in print. Along with local news, we provide strong coverage of national and international events so that Odias don’t feel left out or underserved. When it comes to a homegrown English daily, we are proud to say that OrissaPOST is the only one of its kind in the state today. And we remain fully committed to staying true to the spirit of journalism.”
Speaking about the Business Eminence Awards, she said, “It began in 2021, at the peak of COVID. At that time, we realised that many businesses were struggling—some were barely staying afloat, while others were shutting down. But at the same time, there were people, businesses, and enterprises that fought to survive. They retained their employees and continued paying salaries. That spirit of entrepreneurship—of trying to keep a business alive during the toughest times—needed to be acknowledged.”
She said that the goal was to honour business owners and entrepreneurs not just for their personal success, but for their role as job creators and contributors to the economy.
“They (entrepreneurs) provide employment opportunities, they offer livelihoods to others. We must acknowledge the contribution, the sacrifice, the hard work, and the toil that go into every big and small enterprise, ” she added.
Chief Speaker Biraja Prasad Rout, Founder of Biggies Burger, said during his address, “Looking back to 2011, when I began this journey with just Rs 20,000 in savings, I never imagined building what is today India’s largest homegrown burger chain. But, the inner conviction within me defines my journey. Platforms like Business Eminence Awards, organised by Dharitri and OrissaPOST, are crucial in recognising and celebrating the hard work and resilience that go into building something from the ground up. Back in 2011, there were hardly any platforms in Odisha—or even across India—that supported or celebrated entrepreneurship. But things have changed. India has changed. Today, the nation recognises that entrepreneurship is a key driver of economic growth. It’s no longer seen as a risky alternative, but as a vital force shaping the future of our economy.”
Rout added that, “Growing up, our parents often believed that becoming a doctor or an engineer were the only respectable career paths. When we walked through areas like Janpath or Saheed Nagar in Bhubaneswar and saw big showrooms, we felt they were beyond the reach of middle-class families like ours. But when I moved to Bengaluru, I saw a different picture. I realised there was a gap in Odisha’s business landscape. It was there that I came across global brands like KFC and McDonald’s—and it struck me: the humble burger has the potential to become a scalable, global product. For too long, Odisha has been a consumer rather than a creator in such industries, relying on businesses from more developed regions. But today, I’m proud to say that the dream we started with just Rs 20,000 has grown into a brand that generates over Rs 100 crore in annual revenue. What began as a small 5×5 ft kiosk in Bengaluru is now serving nearly 1% of India’s population. We’re competing head-to-head with global giants—and we’re doing it with pride.”
“In 1930, India and China were on a similar economic footing. Today, China’s economy is eight times larger than India’s. With a comparable population, they’ve managed to scale in ways we’ve yet to fully achieve. It’s time for India—and for Odisha—to rise to the challenge. Economic strength will come not just from traditional industries, but through a strong, vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Odisha is already on the rise, growing at nearly 12% CAGR. It’s crucial for every entrepreneur here to think big and dream global. It doesn’t matter whether you have Rs 2,000 or Rs 200 crore in your bank account. What matters is whether your business is scalable, whether it’s built to fit the ever-evolving demand-supply dynamics,” Rour said.
Chief Guest Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, extended his warm greetings to the gathering on the auspicious occasion of ‘Ashoka Ashtami. ’
In his address, Singh Deo lauded Biraja Rout for his remarkable courage and vision in venturing into the competitive burger market, proudly representing Odisha on the national stage. He commended Dharitri for completing 50 illustrious years of journalistic service and highlighted the pioneering launch of the Dharitri portal in 1997—the first Odia news portal of its kind.
Singh Deo congratulated all the awardees for their outstanding contributions to business and enterprise and expressed gratitude to the sponsors for supporting and celebrating entrepreneurial excellence. In a candid moment, he appealed to Tathagata Satpathy to consider returning to active politics, emphasising the need for visionary leadership to propel Odisha toward becoming the number one state in the country.
“There is still much work to be done to make Odisha the No. 1 state in the country. With the right direction and support, this goal can be achieved,” Singh Deo said.
Addressing the audience at the Business Eminence Awards 2025, Editor of OrissaPOST and Dharitri Tathagata Satpathy reflected on the significance of entrepreneurship, decision-making and resilience—especially in the context of Odisha’s unique business landscape.
Recalling the origins of the event, Satpathy said the awards were first conceptualised in 2021, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic—a time when the print media industry itself was grappling with serious challenges. “Many residential colonies in Bhubaneswar had banned newspaper hawkers, treating them almost like untouchables,” he said, highlighting the stigma and disruption faced by essential service providers. “It was in those testing times that we decided to honour those who chose to persevere—those who fought to keep their businesses alive.”
He noted that Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had graced the inaugural edition of the awards, demonstrating his support during one of the most uncertain phases for the economy. “Those who survived that period are now thriving. Their journeys deserve not just applause but deep respect.”
Satpathy went on to underscore the unique challenges of doing business in Odisha, noting that while it may not be easy to sustain an enterprise in the state, long-term success is very much achievable for those who persist. “Odisha is sacred ground,” he said. “And though it may test you, if you keep going, it will reward you.”
A recurring theme in Satpathy’s address was the importance of decision-making—a skill he believes should be nurtured from a young age. “The ability to take decisions is one of the most important traits in life. It must be embedded into our education system. Whether a decision is right or wrong is for the future to judge—what matters is having the courage to act.”
Drawing a parallel between politicians and entrepreneurs, he offered a nuanced perspective on public perception. “Many believe political leaders are corrupt or immoral. That may be true in part, but let’s not forget that politics is a high-stakes profession. There’s no career with more risk and more at stake,” he said. “Entrepreneurs are no different. They too are decision-makers, constantly choosing paths without knowing what lies ahead.”
“Decision-makers shape our future,” he added. “You may agree with them or not, but they are the ones who remain in the game.”
Concluding his address, Satpathy congratulated all the awardees, calling them ‘bright stars’ in their respective fields. He offered his prayers to Lord Jagannath for their continued success and reaffirmed the media group’s commitment to celebrating entrepreneurship and resilience in Odisha.
Chief Guest Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Chief Speaker Biraja Prasad Rout and Editor of Dharitri & OrissaPOST Tathagata Satpathy present awards to eminent business personalities
The event witnessed participation from prominent business leaders and professionals across sectors. Organised annually, the Business Eminence Awards aim to honour outstanding contributions in business and entrepreneurship, celebrating the spirit of innovation, leadership and impact in Odisha.
PNN
