Bhubaneswar, Jan 15: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said that Odisha lies at the heart of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Purvodaya vision, which aims to drive the economic rise of eastern India.

Speaking at the Times Business Awards – Odisha organised by The Times of India in Bhubaneswar, Pradhan emphasised that the state’s natural resources, ports, and skilled human capital position it to play a pivotal role in shaping a new chapter of India’s economic growth.

ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର ଠାରେ @timesofindia ଦ୍ୱାରା ଆୟୋଜିତ 'ଟାଇମ୍ସ ବିଜନେସ୍ ଆୱାର୍ଡ- ଓଡ଼ିଶା' କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ଯୋଗଦେଇ ଉଦ୍ୟୋଗ ଜଗତରେ ସଫଳତା ହାସଲ କରିଥିବା ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିବିଶେଷମାନଙ୍କୁ ପୁରସ୍କୃତ କଲି । ସମସ୍ତ ଟାଇମ୍ସ ବିଜନେସ୍ ଆୱାର୍ଡ ବିଜେତାଙ୍କୁ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା । ଆପଣମାନେ କେବଳ 'ଓ୍ୱେଲଥ୍ କ୍ରିଏଟର' ନୁହଁନ୍ତି, ବରଂ ଆମ ରାଜ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରେରଣାର… pic.twitter.com/Ev3w6mPuba

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 15, 2026

India’s Economic Growth

Pradhan highlighted that despite global geopolitical instability, India’s economy has continued to expand. He noted that from Independence in 1947 until 2014, India reached a $2 trillion economy, but in just the last decade (2014–2024), another $2 trillion was added. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisive leadership for India’s emergence as the world’s fourth-largest economy.

Odisha’s Emerging Opportunities

The Minister pointed to Odisha’s immense potential in critical minerals, semiconductors, energy, agritech, edutech, defence technologies, and fintech. He said the state, once known primarily for producing steel from iron ore, must now focus on manufacturing “specialty steel” and high-value materials to compete globally.

Entrepreneurs as Catalysts

Congratulating the award winners, Pradhan described them as “wealth creators” and “sources of inspiration” for Odisha. He expressed confidence that their efforts, combined with the state’s resources and talent, would help Odisha carve out a distinct identity on the global map.

Vision for Growth

Pradhan reiterated that Odisha must move beyond being a supplier of raw materials and instead harness its human capital and innovation to become a knowledge-driven economy and a manufacturing hub. He said the Purvodaya vision places Odisha at the centre of India’s eastern growth story, offering the state an opportunity to lead in new-age industries.