It was an evening to honour the entrepreneurial spirit and lay a foundation to encourage young and industrious minds to propel India's growth engine further and contribute to the development of the country and the state. It was the celebratory evening of the 1st edition of the OTV Business Odisha Awards, which aims to felicitate and honour such zealous minds that have contributed to the economic growth of Odisha.
Odisha Governor Prof. Ganeshi Lal was the chief guest of the award ceremony, which was also graced by Lok Sabha MP Aparajita Sarangi and actress Chitrangada Singh among other eminent personalities.
In her welcome address, OTV MD Jagi Mangat Panda said, "India is already the fastest growing economy in the world. It has clocked an average of 5.5% GDP growth in the last decade. Our entrepreneurs and businesses have played a significant role in this growth. Our entrepreneurs are essentially our national assets. Old and new businesses help in the creation of wealth and more importantly in the creation of jobs, which is a national priority. This in turn leads to greater tax revenues that can then be used in investing in schools, roads, other infrastructure projects and most importantly defense sector. "
Jagi Mangat Panda hailed the businesses and entrepreneurs as agents of social change, who through innovative business ventures, improve the quality of life of their fellow citizens. She also acknowledged the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and cited how she and her team have not only faced challenges that are inherent to the industry but also faced external challenges, which were unique to them only.
"I completely understand that it is not easy to build a business and I have immense respect for entrepreneurs and business houses of Odisha. Today we have with us many such entrepreneurs who are ready to face all challenges thrown at them without slowing down or stopping," Jagi Mangat Panda said.
Elucidating the thought behind the OTV Business Odisha Awards initiative, Jagi Mangat Panda said, "As we spread our wings into the area of business awards this year, through this celebratory evening, we aim to recognize the exceptional figures who have achieved trailblazing success in the fields of business in general and in the fields of education, products, services, technology, and social impact specifically. I truly believe that such an initiative will go a long way in encouraging many young aspiring entrepreneurs across Odisha."