Business Eminence Awards 2025: Live updates
Bhubaneswar: The much-anticipated Business Eminence Awards 2025, jointly organised by 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 is attending the ceremony as the Chief Guest, while Rout is the Chief Speaker.
Watch the live 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 realised how tough it is to run a successful business—not just in Odisha, but anywhere. We know this because we run a media business. Dharitri recently completed 50 years, and through that journey, we’ve learned that to grow in any environment, one must face the many challenges of running a business.”
She said the team had faced daily challenges in journalism and had always strived to remain fearless and impartial—an approach inspired by Editor Shri 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.”
“We wanted to recognise business owners and entrepreneurs—not just for making money for themselves, but for being job creators. They 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.
During the event, Editor of OrissaPOST and Dharitri, Tathagata Satpathy, said, “This year, 2025, will mark the fifth edition of the Business Eminence Awards, organised by OrissaPOST and Dharitri. The main aim of this initiative is to encourage Odia youth—both girls and boys—to become more independent, to start making decisions, and to stand by those decisions in the fields of business, trade and industry.”
He added, “When the youth become more enterprising, more self-reliant and begin to take initiative, only then can the state prosper. Small and medium industries generate the most employment. They not only produce wealth but also instill the confidence that our youth need for the state to develop. I congratulate all this year’s awardees.”
CEO of OrissaPOST and Dharitri, Adyasha Satpathy, welcomed everyone and said that through the Business Eminence Awards, the achievements of Odisha’s businessmen and entrepreneurs are celebrated.
“By doing so, we also acknowledge the hard work and courage that go into building an enterprise. I welcome everyone and would like to congratulate all the winners,” she added.
PNN
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