As one of India’s leading business minds and philanthropist, Subroto Bagchi has inspired a new India, guided businesses in the nation, motivated its talent, inspired youth and consistently ranks as one of the top donors of the country. This book is a blueprint, a front-row seat to how real action can turn a quiet state like Odisha into a case study in transformation. It challenges us to look at government machinery from a different perspective, one that isn’t marred by preconceived notions of sloth, arrogance and corruption.
After four decades in the corporate sector, he crossed over to public life. Accepting an invitation from the Government of Odisha, he became the Chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA), taking on the mantle of building a world-class skills ecosystem for the state’s youth. In this book, he tells the story of how this became a movement, changing the face of Odisha and challenges how we think about governance, individual dignity, and collective development.
At its core, the book is about people, those who are often invisible in the policy discourse. Their struggles, strength, and potential shape the world and remind readers that development is about dignity, not just data. Moving miles beyond abstract concepts and ideals, Bagchi offers real stories of the people behind the policies. He talks of women like Muni Tigga, a Railway Loco Pilot in Bhubaneswar, or Sumati Nayak, a manager at Westside Bengaluru, who rewrote their histories against all odds. It is these people that drive change, and it is their identity that matters. Skill development Institutions like ITI don’t just teach an employable skill, they impart an identity and leave a permanent mark on those who are a part of it.
From “Made in China” to “Skilled in Odisha”
It started with the vision to put Odisha on the global map. We are aware of the brand notoriety of “Made in China”, the precisionary technology of “Made in Japan”, the innovation of “Designed in California”, but what of the efficiency and resilience of “Skilled in Odisha”? As a chairman of the Odisha Skill Development Authority, Bagchi’s aim was clear, to lead a journey of human development in India and turn Odisha into a sandbox for innovation. Coming from a private sector background, Bagchi set out to build “Skilled in Odisha” as a renowned brand.
“A day must come when future employers would ask their employers: Are you skilled or are you skilled in Odisha?”, he says, highlighting the overarching aspiration to create a pool of extraordinary talent in Odisha. Over the years, Bagchi embodied this vision with the three-fold strategy of Fix, Scale, and Accelerate.
The book is a journey spanning over 8 years, a journey that will inspire you to expect more of yourself. It discusses societal stigma associated with institutions like ITI, which were often synonymous with failure, and takes them to an unprecedented level. It talks of derailment and of failed dreams, but also of the birth of new aspirations and of hope. Today, Skill Development means more than just a diploma, it is a respected route, acknowledged by leaders of top companies such as Tata Steel, I-Merit or Jindal Steel.
About the Author: Subroto Bagchi is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and former public servant. He co-founded Mindtree, one of India’s most admired IT firms, and later served the Government of Odisha, as a Chairman of the Odisha Skill Development Authority. Known for books like Go Kiss the World and The Professional, his work blends leadership insight with human values. Bagchi and his wife Susmita actively support public health, cancer care, and palliative services across India through major philanthropic initiatives.
