Dr. S.K. Dash (Sita Kantha Dash) is a globally recognized scientist, visionary, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is a founder of the probiotics industry worldwide and has made it his life’s mission to research and promote the benefits of probiotics. Dr. Dash established UAS Laboratories, a developer and marketer of innovative probiotic products. Since the company’s founding in 1979, it has become known as a world’s top probiotics company. Dr. Dash has been instrumental in growing the probiotics industry from a $10 million-a-year to a $100 billion-a-year industry, and the field continues to grow at a rapid pace.

Dr. Dash received a Ph.D. in nutrition and biochemistry from South Dakota State University (USA) in 1973. Dr. Dash subsequently furthered his education by earning a Doctor of Science in probiotic research from Utkal University in India. Prior to establishing UAS Laboratories in 1979, he worked as the director of the Food and Drug for the state of South Dakota.

Over the years, Dr. Dash has utilized his knowledge and experience to author several publications. He wrote “The Consumer’s Guide to Probiotics” and “Health Benefits of Probiotics,” and co-wrote “User’s Guide to Probiotics” and “The Garden Within.” Dr. Dash has also penned more than 40 research articles. Dr. Dash has shared his expertise in adjunct professorship positions at both Minnesota State University and South Dakota State University. He recently established the Dr. S. K. Dash Probiotic & Prebiotic Innovation Center for Excellence and Endowed Professorship at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar (India) and South Dakota State University (USA).

An active philanthropist, Dr. Dash has also been integral in the establishment of several universities, hospitals, schools and orphanages for the needy around the world. He served as a director of Kalinga Hospital in Bhubaneswar, India, director of the Hospital Corporation of Odisha, president of the Odisha Society of Americas, and Chairman of the Kalinga HCO Foundation. Other positions that Dr. Dash has held include director of the International Probiotics Association, Chairman of the Hindu Society of Minnesota, director of the India Association of Minnesota, and founder and chairman of the Dr. Dash Foundation (USA). He is the founder of the SKBET center in IIT Bhubaneswar. He is actively participating to promote the Jagannath culture across the globe. He inspires to work innovatively for the mankind and is a role model and hero for millions of youths across the
globe.

Dr. Dash has received numerous national and international awards for his accomplishments in the fields of probiotics, science, technology, and philanthropy, including being recognized as Distinguished Man of the Year. Other honors include, but are not limited to the Lifetime Achievement Award from the State of Minnesota (USA) in 2018, distinguished Odiya award from the President of India in 2017, the Distinguished Alumni Award from South Dakota State University in 2014, and the 2010 Probiotic Award from Frost & Sullivan, India Association of Minnesota (USA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, Odisha Society of the Americas in 2000 and the Outstanding Man of the Year by the Hindu Society of Minnesota in 1998.

Dr. S.Ramaratnam is the Vice Chancellor Designate of Jagadguru Kripalu University (JKU), Odisha. He has more than 50 years of experience in the field of academics and has worked as Director and Principal of various Colleges and Institutions. Prior to joining Jagadguru Kripalu University he was the Vice Chancellor for Sri Sri University. He was also a visiting Professor to Oxford University and the University of Mauritius.

Dr. Ramaratnam is a Ph.D. in Sanskrit and a D.Litt. His yearning for knowledge led him to earn an M.A. in Philosophy and Psychology, M.B.A. and M.Phil. in Management. His versatility can be gauged from the fact that he also has degrees in Mathematics, Education, and Indian Music. He is proficient in eight Indian and foreign languages and has diplomas in German, French, Telegu, Kannada and linguistics. He also holds diplomas in accountancy and taxation, personnel management and computer programming.

He is a prolific writer and has authored many books. Some of his popular books are, Sanskrit for Beginners, Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa, Prahasana in Sanskrit Literature, Laghu Bharatam, The Grhyasutras-a socio religious cultural study, Kalasala Pathamala, Research Methodology in Sanskrit, The Vithi and the Vithyangas, The Bodhayana Grhyasutra – a study, Hinduism, A handbook of Sanskrit quotations and Fundamentals of Management Principles in Sanskrit Literature.

Dr. Ramaratnam has presided over national and international conferences in several countries and has hundreds of publications to his name. He is also a scriptwriter, lyricist, conductor of quiz programmes, actor, director and dialogue writer for various plays that have been telecast on All India Radio and Indian television.

He has received various awards and has been conferred titles of Bharata Kala Nipuna, Sahitya Vallabha, Samskrta Ratna and Kala Sastra Paarangata. He has also been a keen sportsman, winning more than fifty prizes in Cricket, Table Tennis, Badminton, Carrom, Chess, etc.

Dr. Kishan Lal Bhartia is a well-known name in business.He is also known for his social and charitable works and deep devotion. He is famous in Cuttack as the builder of Bhartia Towers, the first multi-storeyed commercial complex in Cuttack. This project, which was commissioned in 1992, provided infrastructure for many start-ups to flourish in Cuttack.

Dr. Bhartia has been awarded with numerous laurels at both the State and National levels. Among the various positions of responsibilities that he has served , he has been the patron for the Shri Gopal Krishna Goshala, the Agarwal Vikas Trust, Cuttack Marwari Samaj, Chinmaya Mission in Cuttack, the Hariharananda Gurukulam Gosala at Puri, and the All-India Vaish Foundation, amongst other institutions.

Bhartia ji is the founder of the Bhartia Charitable Trust. Under this trust , he has embarked on various philanthropic initiatives. His wife Smt.Pushpa Devi Bhartia and his children have supported him in all his endeavours .

Dr. Bhartia is also deeply connected with numerous educational institutions. His love for the youth is reflected in his initiatives which have aimed to propagate and inculcate religious, social, and spiritual values amongst the youth.

In recognition of his multi-dimensional accomplishments, promotion of Dharma, and encouragement of Indian culture, Dr. Kishan Lal Bhartia was conferred the Degree of Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) Honoris Causa by KIIT University in 2017. The degree was presented to him by the Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu.

Dr. Bhartia is a humble disciple of Ananta Shri Vibhushit Shri Chakradhar Dasji Maharaj of Shyam Sundar Math. Bhartia ji believes in the upliftment and betterment of the people and is dedicatedly rendering his service for the socio-religious betterment of society.

Professor Damodar Acharya graduated from NIT Rourkela, He did Masters and PhD from IIT Kharagpur and joined the Industrial Engineering Faculty in the same Institute. He has left his indelible mark in all the responsibilities that he has taken in his association of nearly four decades with the Institute.

As Founding Vice-Chancellor of Biju Patnaik University of Technology, he laid the foundation of a robust Technical University System that is being emulated by others.  As the Chairman of AICTE, he was responsible for getting provisional membership of Washington Accord for India and in mitigating shortage of quality and experienced faculty.

 As Director of the Institute he has brought remarkable changes in the academic front giving quantum fillip to publications,  PhDs,  Patents and Sponsored research earnings. National and international laurels have been the natural outcome. New Schools of infrastructure Design and Management, Water Resource Management, Engineering Entrepreneurship and Bio Fuel Research Centre have been established with Alumni Support. Program on Quality Engineering Design and Manufacturing started with industry support. Centre for Steel Technology and   Centre for Railway Research have been established with support from the Ministry of Steel and Ministry of Railways respectively. For the first time in the IIT System, IIT Kharagpur got approval and funding to establish Dr B C Roy Institute of Medical Science and Research.  The Institute shall bring two diverse disciplines of engineering and medicine together. Four Schools of Educations and Research in such areas as Energy Science and Engineering, Bioscience, Environment Science and Engineering and Nano-Science and Engineering have been established.  The Infrastructure at the Institute was substantially upgraded to accommodate nearly 12,000 students, 1200 faculty and 3000 supporting staff. He articulated and implemented a vision for the Institute for next 20 years. Under his leadership, health insurance for all the students and Post Retirement Medical Scheme for employees were introduced in IIT Kharagpur.

 As an academician he has been conferred with Fellowship of both Indian National Academy of Engineering and The  National Academy of Sciences. He along with his students worked for Indian Army and such companies as General Motors, HUL, Tata Steel, Tata Chemicals, SAIL, NLC and CIL 

He served   as Director in RBI, RCF and NALCO. He was in the Board of several Institutions and a member of Chhatisgarh State Planning Commission. Currently he is mentoring three Universities and the Chairman Advisory Board of SOA University, Bhubaneswar that ranks 20 among the Universities as per NIRF 2021.

Dr. Arun Kumar Praharaj is a Gold Medallist in Master of Commerce and a meritorious alumnus of the Indian Institute of Finance, New Delhi. A chartered Accountant by profession and Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Dr. Praharaj presently serves as the CEO & Director of Dadabhai Group, a multibillion-dollar conglomerate headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain with his 30 Years of rich corporate governance experience in spearheading giants such as Mahindra & Mahindra and Sterling Group.

He also holds the position of Managing Director in NIAGARA INFRASTRUCTURE INDIA PVT LTD and he is the Chairman of a renowned charitable trust, India Development Foundation Trust which aims to serve the less fortunate within India.

On the science & research front, he is the Founder Director of Regenerative Medicine Charitable Foundation (Section 8 Company approved by Govt of India) for research on Stem Cell Science for the benefit of common people. On a social front, apart from Bahrain Odia Samaj, he is the Patron of Sanskriti Bahrain & SPM (largest socio-cultural organisations to uphold and preserve the rich cultural heritage of India), Azaad Ray of Hope, India (an organisation of patriotic Indian youth & Indian armed forces veterans committed to uphold social development of India and boosting the potential of youth and women empowerment). He is also the founding member of the prestigious Capital Club of Bahrain (epicentre of all major economic reforms) and Bahrain India Society (an organisation recognised by India and Bahrain Govt. to improve the socioeconomic ties between the two countries). He is also an advisor of ICRF-Indian Community Relief Fund (an organisation to support distressed Indians). Dr. Praharaj is a reputed resident of Kingdom of Bahrain for the past 25 years, thus sharing excellent camaraderie with the Royal Assembly and various other diplomatic channels and ambassadors.

He is also a proud and active member of EKAL VIDYALAY SANSTHAN (an initiative to ensure

Education for All) & Vice President of BICAS -Bahrain India Culture & Arts Society of the Embassy of India in Bahrain. Last but not the least, Dr. Praharaj is the International Convenor of the VISHVA ODISHA Forum under the leadership of Honourable Speaker of Odisha Assembly, Dr. Surya Narayan Patra & Founding Director of Foundation of Global Odia Diaspora (GOD).

An ardent devotee of Lord Jagannatha, he is the Co-Founder of Shree Jagannatha Global

Fraternity & TRUSTEE-Vice Chairman of Shree Jagannatha Chintan &Chetana World-wide, Patron of Shree Jagannatha Society London, UK & IRELAND and is actively involved in spreading Jagannatha culture across the world.

More recently, in consideration of Dr. Praharaj’s philanthropical activities and sincere efforts to promote Odisha as well as his proactive initiatives to protect migrant workers on foreign soils, he has been honoured with the ‘Kalinga Gaurav Samaan’ and enlisted among the ‘Top 20 Most inspirational Personalities of Odisha 2020’. He is also a recipient of the ‘Living Legends of Odisha Award 2021’ in Odisha along with the ‘Shree’ Award from the Parichay Foundation, New Delhi. Dr. Praharaj’s commitment to his causes is driven by his belief that: “Society has given us so much and it is time to give back to the society.”

Work Experience –

Home Department, Government of Odisha

Additional Secretary

• Collector and DM Sonepur (2018 – 2019)
• Collector and DM Boudh (2014 – 2018)
• Collector and DM Nayagarh (2013 – 2014)
• Director, Rehabilitation & Resettlement, Department of Water Resources, Government of Odisha (2013 – 2014)
• Private Secretary to Hon’ble Speaker, Odisha Legislative Assembly (2009 – 2012)
• Undersecretary, Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha (2004 – 2008)
• Private Secretary to Government Chief Whip, Odisha Legislative Assembly (2000 – 2004)
• Officer on Special Duty, Revenue Control Room (1996 – 2000)
• Block Development Officer, Kakatpur (1993 – 1996)
• Tahasildar, Kakatpur (1990 – 1992)
• Assistant Settlement Officer, Jeypore (1987 – 1990)
• Lecturer, Political Science, Khordha College (1985 – 1986)
• Lecturer, Political Science, Jatni College (1983 – 1985)

Qualifications –

• MPhiI (Chinese Foreign Policy), School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
• Post Graduation, Political Science (Special Paper – Modern Indian Political Thought), Faculty of Arts, Delhi University
• BA (Hons), Samanta Chandrasekhar College, Puri
• Rai Chakradharpur High School, Puri

Interests –

• Teaching the new generation and youth about good governance & better administrative practice
• Keeping myself updated about recent developments in Revenue Laws and Revenue Administration, Panchayatraj, Education and Urban Development Policies
• Special interest for upliftment of PWDs (Person With Disabilities), Women Empowerment and giving justice to Nirman Shramika.

Achievements in District Administration –

NAYAGARH (CHALLENGES)

Received a letter of appreciation as Collector & DM, Nayagarh from the then CEO Odisha, Dr Mona Sharma (IAS) for my outstanding performance in conducting Simultaneous General Election 2014, although this district was affected by LWE activists.

BOUDH (Personal involvement and Government acceptance)

Construction of Dhalpur Bridge (a high level bridge with 3km length connecting Dhalpur to Athamalik) which was a direct link from Angul to Berhampur, Model Degree College, New Collectorate Building, New Circuit House Building, Onion and Garlic Research Centre, New District Court Building, foundation stone for Modern market complex in Boudh, foundation stone for Marjakud Bridge over river Mahanadi connecting two urban wards of Boudh NAC (a dream of the people of Marjakud), Shifting of jail to new building and handover of old jail land to DHH, Boudh for further expansion, Drinking water project of Boudh NAC, Widening of town road, Boudh, 3 Model School Buildings with hostels, JMFC court building, Kantamal, ICDS office building, Kantamal, identified illegal settlement of government land to the tune of 2000 acres and gradual resumption to government khata, 22MW Solar Power Plant, Boudh Distillery unit, 100% electrification, no 1 position, thrice, taking 50 parameters under consideration in development, 1000 acres of land handed over to Railway Authorities for Khurda – Bolangir railway line.

In 2017-18, Boudh was selected for an award at the National level on MGNREGs. Besides, 3 GPs of Boudh were also selected for national award and 1 GP for state award for overall performance. Other innovation like student saving scheme, 100% enrollment in schools, scheme for Boys and Girls, delivery of ROR and RSD at the doorstep and collection of Grievance Petition from the villages were taken up.

SONEPUR

During my tenure, 99% lands handed over to Railway Authority for Khurda – Bolangir railway line except Forest Land,construction of Railway Bridge over river Suktel, Nibruta Nala and finalization of tender for Tel Railway Bridge, hand over the land for DHH and cosntruction of MCH at Sonepur.

Sonepur district achieved commendation in Health Sector for doing considerable good work for reduction of malaria cases in the district. 3 of its CHCs and 3 PHCs got Kayakalpa Award for outstanding work like cleanliness, hygeine and infection control in the hospital including quality care. In Sonepur, we had created a model for payment of Old Age pension which was highly appreciated by the State Government. Besides, in the field of Child Marriage and facilities to PwDs, Sonepur was awarded at the state level. Recently, Odisha has been Honoured with “Best Electoral Practices Award” at the national level as the best state in election management where my contribution as Collector and DM Sonepur as DEO needs recognition as the simultaneous General Election 2019 in the district was absolutely peaceful with 81% record turnout of voters.

Besides, the entire patch of 30km of land for Khurda – Bolangir Rail Link project was also Acquired and handed over to Railway Authority. Land allotted for construction of District Auditorium, Widening of Sonepur Urban area road, Drinking water project under Sonepur Municipality; Construction of central school building and opening of class XI & XII. Construction of ring road, declaration of Chudakhai Hill as Tourist place of interest, 100% electrification, Student Saving Scheme, 100% enrollment of students, opening of Help Desk in all offices, installation of CCTV and Biometric Attendance were the major achievements during my tenure.

Mr. Harish Rangacharya is a serial entrepreneur who has taken Entrepreneurship as a profession immediately after passing out with a top rank from IIT, Madras.  He is the founder director of Cadsys (India) Limited an Engineering company that is listed in NSE. Under his leadership the company has seen remarkable growth year after year and has consistently gone up the value chain through innovative approaches and number of strategic acquisitions. Over the last 31 years he has promoted 6 other companies that have operations in India, Middle East, Australia and North America. He has been the lead architect in building the software products of these companies some of which include Concord ProTM , ProWorksTM, DataWorks.

He is recipient of “Entrepreneur of the year” award in 2004 which is instituted by Entrepreneurship Development Institute, Government of India, recognizing and appreciating his exceptional entrepreneurial capabilities. He is also in receipt of number of other awards including Best IT company from Hyderabad Software Exporters Association, Best SME award from Dun and Bradstreet, Best Indian IT company award from National Productivity Council etc. He is the member of Board of Governors of TREC-STEP one of the India’s leading Incubation Centers set up by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Mr. Harish has a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and Master of Technology in Civil Engineering from IIT, Chennai.