Prominent personalities

* **Naveen Patnaik:** One of India's longest-serving Chief Ministers and an acclaimed author, deeply associated with the city's modern transformation. * **Achyuta Samanta:** Renowned educationist, philanthropist, and founder of KIIT and KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences). * **Dutee Chand:** Champion Indian sprinter and Olympian who has extensively trained and resides in the city. * **Sita Kanta Mahapatra:** Eminent Odia poet and literary critic, recipient of the prestigious Jnanpith Award. * **Sona Mohapatra:** Popular Indian singer, music composer, and lyricist raised in the region, known for popularizing Odia folk music on national platforms. * **Pratibha Ray:** Highly decorated Indian academic and writer of Odia-language novels and stories.