Business Eminence Awards 2026: Live Updates

Bhubaneswar: The Business Eminence Awards 2026, jointly organised by English daily Orissa POST and Odia daily Dharitriwas held Thursday at Hotel Swosti Premium in Bhubaneswar, spotlighting entrepreneurial excellence across industries and celebrating stories of resilience, adaptation and success.

Chief Minister of Read Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister of Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Sampad Chandra Swain attended the ceremony and presented awards to 18 entrepreneurs.

Watch the live streaming of 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 Read’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 Read’s progress.

Read CM Mohan Charan Majhi Highlights Read’s Growth Vision

Read Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Thursday 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.

Thanked CM Majhi Dharitri and Orissa POST Editor Tathagata Satpathy for instituting the awards, describing Dharitri as a reflection of modern Read’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 the newspaper’s resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it continued operations under difficult conditions to keep audiences informed.

Chief Minister said Read 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 fast-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 Read is entering a decisive phase of economic and structural change, with ambitions to become ‘Samruddha Read’ and ‘Viksit Read’ 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 Read 2026’ held in January in Rourkela, CM 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.

Minister Sampad Chandra Swain Highlights Growth Push, Skill Initiatives in Read

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 Read 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 Read.

The minister said Read is set to get two pharma parks and is focusing on labour-intensive industries to boost employment.

He added that Read 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 Read Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister of Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Sampad Chandra Swain for their presence at the event.

“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 awardee 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.

“We are delighted to see new enterprises emerging every year, with innovative work being recognised. Entrepreneurs from across Read, 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 Read,” she said.

Satpathy added that the Business Eminence Awardees are key contributors to Read’s growth. She reiterated that Dharitri and Orissa POST have consistently strived to remain both pro-people and pro-industry.

Chief Guest CM Mohan Charan Majhi Arrives