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 $45 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.

Dr. Ajit Kumar Tripathy is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1973 batch. He was the Chief Secretary of Odisha from 2006-2009. He has also served as the State Election Commissioner, State Development Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary and revenue board member for the Govt. of Odisha.

Dr. Tripathy was a bright student and stood fourth in the state board matriculation exam in 1964. Thereafter, he completed his graduation, post-graduation, and Ph.D. in Political Science from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. He worked as a Lecturer for some time and as a provisional officer in State Bank of India before joining the Administrative Service.

Along with his exemplary service in the field of administration, Dr. Tripathy has been equally active in the field of Historical Research and Literature. He has done extensive research on the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and has concluded that Buddha was born in Kapileswara, a village in Bhubaneswar in Odisha and not in Kapilavastu, Nepal. He has written several books, some among them are Chuti, Parajita Kalidasha, Akuhaa Itihaas, Gotie Nadi Duiti Dhaaraa, Satya o Ardhasatya, Sakala Nischaya Asiba and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Bani in Odiya. In English, he has authored Goutam Buddha & Kalinga, Birth Place of Jayadeva, and Meghaduta of Kalidas in poetic form. Dr. Tripathy has also translated several books into Hindi, Odiya and English.

Swami Mukundananda is a world-renowned authority on Yoga, Spirituality and Mind Management Techniques. He is a senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj and a unique sanyasi (in the renounced order of life), who has a distinguished technical and management education from IIT Delhi and IIM Calcutta.

He is the founder of a unique Yogic System called JKYog, also known as Yoga for the Body, Mind and Soul. Swamiji is a captivating speaker whose discourses are attended by thousands of people in India and abroad. His lectures are very popular on the social media as well.

He is frequently invited to speak at various premier institutes of the world such as MIT, Yale, Stanford, Kellogg, Princeton, etc, and Fortune 500 companies such as Google, Oracle, Intel, Yahoo, American Airlines, etc.

Swamiji has written several books on various subjects including Yoga, Art of Mind Management, Healthy Diet, and The Bhagavad Gita, which are extremely popular as they are easy to understand. Swamiji is very approachable and his pleasing personality has won the love and respect of hundreds of thousands of followers across continents.

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.

Shri Shiv Kumar Sharma is an Educationalist and a Social Entrepreneur. He has over 30 years of experience working with top MNCs in India in the field of Telecom Networks, Information Technology and Management.

He is presently working with the Govt. of India and with various leading Universities and Institutions on skill development projects for youth, enhancing employability, nurturing entrepreneurship and woman empowerment through vocational education and training.
 
Shri Shiv Kumar is an M.Sc. (Maths), Bachelor in Electronics and Telecommunication (AMIETE), M. Tech. (Computer Science) - ALCCS, IETE, Delhi. He has also completed Advanced Diploma in Management from AIMA and IGNOU and One Year Executive Programme in Strategic Management, IIM Calcutta.
 
Shri Shiv Kumar is frequently invited as Guest Faculty by various Universities and Institutions such as Amity University, Aegis School of Telecom Management, Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Management and Research, Advanced Level Telecom Training Centre (ALTTC), Ghaziabad, etc. He has published several papers in international and national journals on various topics.

Shri Ramprasad Nanda is a leading industrialist of Odisha. He is a serial entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience in launching businesses and successfully running them.
 
He has a diverse educational background with degrees in Commerce, Law, and Management. Shri Ramprasad is a permanent member of Odisha Small Scale Industries Association, Cost Committee, Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar Management Association, and a member of Utkal Chamber of Commerce.

Along with his successful business ventures, Shri Ramprasad is a keen sportsman, having played Cricket and Badminton at the University level. He is also an active social worker, serving the poor and the underprivileged of Odisha for the past several years.