Latest news with #SuperCyclone
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Belarani rebuilds life, one crop at a time
JAGATSINGHPUR: When it comes to turning adversity into opportunity, villagers of Nalabehdi in Jagatsinghpur district look up to Belarani Pradhan. Twenty-six years back, circumstances forced her to take up farming as a livelihood but today, she has become an example of determination for many. Belarani not just grows vegetables but is also into prawn and dairy farming, all by herself. Erasama was one of the worst affected in the Super Cyclone of 1999. At Nalabehdi, which comes under the block, many people were killed and several families rendered homeless. Belarani, who was 31 then, also lost her farmer husband, two sons and a daughter to the disaster. Though help poured in for those affected through NGOs and government agencies, it was temporary. The tragedy, however, did not break Belarani's spirits and she wanted to rebuild her life for the sake of her second daughter who survived. With some basic knowledge about farming that she had gained from watching her husband work before the Super Cyclone, Belarani decided to grow vegetables organically on her 1.5 acre of ancestral land. She sold the produce in local markets at Olara and Gadabishnupur and owing to the good quality of vegetables she grew, vendors also began procuring them directly from her doorsteps.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Call for govt action to restore iconic theatre in Cuttack
Bhubaneswar: Once the cultural heartbeat of Cuttack, the Janata Ranga Manch now stands silent and crumbling — a shadow of its vibrant past. More than two decades after the 1999 Super Cyclone left it in ruins, the iconic theatre in Banka Bazar continues to languish in neglect. Now, in a renewed push to save this landmark of Odisha's theatrical legacy, The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the Manch's members have urged the state govt to step in before it's too late. Underlining the cultural and historical significance of the 72-year-old institution, INTACH's state convener, Biswajit Mohanty, said, "Janata Ranga Manch was not just a theatre but a symbol of Odisha's rich performing arts tradition. Its current condition is heartbreaking." He added that INTACH would send a formal request to the govt to declare Janata Ranga Manch a 'heritage site' and urge the preparation of a comprehensive restoration and development plan. Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh said, "Janata Ranga Manch is an iconic heritage site and must be preserved. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation has already submitted a proposal for its revival to the state govst and is awaiting approval and financial allocation." Established in 1953, Janata Ranga Manch served as a vital platform for staging plays by renowned playwrights and nurturing the theatre movement in Odisha. For over five decades, it hosted regular performances and was once considered the cultural heartbeat of the city. After being severely damaged in the Super Cyclone, the theatre has operated from a makeshift venue. Despite the challenges, its members continue to keep the spirit of Odia theatre alive. "Janata Ranga Manch was once the pride of Cuttack. All steps must be taken to declare it a heritage institution," said Deepak Samantray, co-convener of INTACH's Cuttack chapter. Echoing his sentiments, theatre activist Indrajit Ghosh said, "This institution has been the bedrock of theatre in the state. It deserves heritage status to honour its lasting contribution to the arts." Dr Ananga Dwivedi, advisor to the Manch, recalled that Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, during his tenure as the collector of Cuttack, visited the site and suggested developing an 'Adarsh Natya Sanghralaya' (model theatre museum) for its revival. "It is high time the state govt considered setting up the proposed museum," he said. Heritage activist Anil Dhir of INTACH said the organisation would submit a collective appeal to the govt urging immediate intervention. "This theatre is a living archive of Odia drama since 1953. Without timely action, we risk losing a vital cultural institution forever," he said.
Associated Press
02-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
From Military Roots to Global Innovation: Arun Kar Builds a Greener Future with $145M Net Worth
Arun Kar at the World Leaders Summit 2024, held at the prestigious House of Lords, British Parliament / Source: The News Times UK From Cyclone Survivor to Sustainability Leader: Arun Kar's Journey from Battlefield to Boardroom is Reshaping Tech Impact LONDON, United Kingdom - 2nd Jun, 2025 - In an age dominated by startup valuations and venture capital pomp, Arun Kar 's journey stands apart — a narrative defined not by overnight success but by persistent resilience, clarity of purpose, and quiet determination. Born in Odisha, India, and raised in a modest household, Kar's early life was marked by adversity. One of the most defining moments came in 1999, when he survived the devastating Super Cyclone that ravaged the eastern coast of India. 'Witnessing the destruction and the quiet strength of my community left a lasting impact,' he recalls. That formative experience planted the seeds of a lifelong mission: to build solutions that serve both people and planet. Kar's path initially led to military service. After clearing India's Combined Defence Services examination with an all-India rank of 152, he was commissioned into the Indian Army's Artillery Arm. For seven years, he served with distinction, often in some of the country's most demanding environments. Kar said, 'The Army taught me the value of leadership under pressure, discipline, and unwavering accountability'. Those lessons would prove critical in the chapters to come. Battleground to Boardroom Following his military tenure, Kar transitioned to the corporate world, working with leading global IT firms including Tech Mahindra and Virtusa. There, he gained exposure to digital transformation, enterprise systems, and global operations — insights that laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial vision. In 2016, he founded Xpertnest, alongside partners Chintan Panara and Pradip Butani. With no external funding, the team started from scratch — quite literally from their living rooms. Their first project brought in just $900. But what followed was nearly a decade of steady, values-driven growth. Today, the company is a global digital innovation firm headquartered in London, with operations spanning the UK, Europe, India, and the Middle East. The company's portfolio includes smart city infrastructure, AgriTech platforms supporting Indian farmers, and critical applications for Fortune 500 companies and national law enforcement agencies. Their technology has powered everything from 5G event solutions to IoT-based utility management systems. Notably, several of their applications have been featured in Apple's enterprise success stories — a testament to the firm's technical acumen and real-world impact. In early 2025, the company was independently valued at over $100 million, a figure verified by both a SEBI-registered Category-I Merchant Banker and a UK-based valuation firm, with the milestone reported across the London Stock Exchange (RNS), Reuters, and the Financial Express. Building a Greener Future Kar's ambitions extend beyond technology. In recent years, he launched Earthnest, a sustainability venture focused on biodegradable and plastic-free packaging solutions. The company's flagship product — Bio Bags — aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and is already in use across the UK, including a successful trial with Paultons Park, one of Britain's top family attractions. 'Technology must serve humanity and the environment — not just profit margins,' Kar says. A Quiet Rise In May 2025, Arun Kar's personal net worth was independently assessed and certified at $145 million by a SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) registered Category-I Merchant Banker, based on his equity in Xpertnest, stakes in other high-growth ventures and companies, and a portfolio of income-generating real estate assets. Yet, despite reaching multimillionaire status long before public recognition, Kar remains grounded. His next goal? To support emerging leaders and startups through mentorship, investment, and ethical governance. 'Impact is the true measure of success,' he acknowledges. Kar's journey — from cyclone survivor to Army officer, tech innovator to sustainability champion — is a rare tale of purpose over hype. It serves as a powerful reminder that in an age of instant gratification, long-term vision, discipline, and integrity still have a place at the heart of innovation. Media Contact Company Name: Premium NewsWire Contact Person: Benjamin Sadhu Email: Send Email Address:10, Winnipeg Drive Green Street Green City: Orpington State: Kent Country: United Kingdom Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: From Military Roots to Global Innovation: Arun Kar Builds a Greener Future with $145M Net Worth
