FEATURE: In a fast-paced world where setbacks often derail even the most ambitious dreams, Susanta Kumar Jena has emerged as a shining example of resilience and determination. Born into a humble family in Jaipurpatna, Nuagaon, Odisha, Susanta’s inspiring journey from a ₹600-per-month sales officer to becoming the Managing Director of Tarinee Promoters Pvt. Ltd. is a story of grit, ambition, and an unyielding spirit.
What sets Susanta apart is not just his impressive business achievements in real estate and agriculture but his ability to transform failures into lessons and relationships into lifelong partnerships.
Humble Beginnings and the Start of a Journey
Born into a joint family of seven siblings, Susanta’s upbringing was defined by hard work and discipline, instilled by his father, a retired government officer. After passing Matriculation in the year 1983 from D M School, Bhubaneswar, he pursued higher studies, earning a postgraduate degree in English from Ravenshaw University in 1989.
It was during his college years that fate intervened. On a whim, Susanta applied for a sales officer role at Titan Watches after spotting an advertisement in a newspaper. To his surprise, he got the job and embarked on his career with a modest salary of ₹600 per month. Over the years, Susanta worked with renowned companies like Crescent, Bombino, Dunkin, and Hindustan Unilever, steadily climbing the corporate ladder and sharpening his business acumen.
Venturing into Real Estate
By 2002, Susanta transitioned from sales to real estate, taking on the role of General Manager at Safal Constructions. However, his entrepreneurial instincts soon led him to establish his own firm. In 2003, Tarinee Promoters Pvt. Ltd. was born—a real estate company built on a foundation of trust, quality, and reliability.
“My dream was to create something that reflected my values,” Susanta shares. Under his leadership, Tarinee Promoters quickly earned a reputation as a reliable name in Odisha’s competitive real estate market, known for delivering excellence and building strong client relationships.
An Unexpected Turn into Agriculture
Just as his real estate career was flourishing, life took an unexpected turn. Encouraged by a friend, Susanta ventured into the agricultural sector, becoming a distributor for Devi Dayal, a Gujarat-based company.
However, his lack of experience in the field led to challenges. Mismanagement and betrayal by trusted associates resulted in a devastating financial loss of ₹95 lakhs. Reflecting on the experience, Susanta says, “I lost everything I had earned, but I refused to give up. Losses are lessons if you choose to see them that way.”
Rising from the Ashes
Susanta’s resilience shone through in the face of adversity. He pivoted to government tenders and found success through the National Food Security Mission, which became a turning point in his career. The opportunity not only helped him recover his losses but also positioned him as a key player in Odisha’s agricultural landscape.
Today, Tarinee Promoters Pvt. Ltd. is a trusted name in agriculture, dealing in P.P. chemicals, organic manures, micronutrients, and seeds. The company is an authorized distributor for some of the most prominent agricultural firms, including Adama India Pvt. Ltd. (Hyderabad), Bayer CropScience Limited (Mumbai), Crystal Crop Protection Ltd. (Mumbai), Rallis India Limited (Mumbai), and Syngenta India Limited (Pune). Additionally, Tarinee Promoters represents other leading manufacturers such as Beena Chemicals and Fertilizers Pvt. Ltd. (Meerut), Paramount Pesticides Limited (Meerut), East Coast Biotech Project (Bhubaneswar), Jagannath Seeds (Cuttack), and Kalyani Industries Limited (Mumbai), among others. Through these collaborations, Susanta has been instrumental in introducing innovative and sustainable farming practices across Odisha, helping farmers access high-quality products and modern agricultural techniques.
Promoting Cultivation in Rice Fallow Lands
One of Susanta’s key initiatives is promoting the cultivation of oil seeds and pulses in rice fallow lands. This approach aims to maximize agricultural productivity by utilizing idle land, enhancing soil fertility, and reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers. His vision aligns with sustainable farming and the long-term goal of making Odisha self-reliant in food production.
A Leader Rooted in Relationships
At the heart of Susanta’s leadership philosophy is a belief in teamwork and mutual respect. “The owner doesn’t pay his employees; rather, the employees earn and pay their owner,” he says, emphasizing the reciprocal value between employers and employees.
Susanta’s 35 employees are not just staff but an extended family, and his emphasis on fostering trust and goodwill extends to his long-term relationships with clients, colleagues, and friends.
Vision for a Corruption-Free Society
Beyond his business pursuits, Susanta is passionate about eradicating corruption. One of his bold suggestions is to withdraw high-denomination currency notes and replace them with ₹50 coins. He also proposes capping daily cash withdrawals at ₹10,000 per Aadhaar-linked account, irrespective of the number of accounts linked to the same Aadhaar.
“These measures would curb cash hoarding, promote transparency, and take a decisive step toward a corruption-free society,” he asserts. Acknowledging the challenge, Susanta asks, “Who will bell the cat?” but remains confident in the transformative potential of such reforms.
Living by a Philosophy of Resilience and Faith
Susanta’s life is guided by the mantra: “Live today as if there is no tomorrow.” His deep faith in God and commitment to integrity form the foundation of his personal and professional life.
“I’ve never taken a loan in my life. I believe in earning and recovering my losses through hard work. Stressing over setbacks only hinders growth,” he explains. His optimism and focus on forward momentum have been key to his enduring success.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
To those aspiring to enter the business world, Susanta offers timeless advice:
“Be honest, be fair, and always prioritize relationships. Build trust through genuine interactions and treat every partnership with respect and transparency. Skills and strategies are important, but staying true to your values is the real key to long-term success.”
Looking Ahead
With Tarinee Promoters Pvt. Ltd. thriving and his influence in agriculture expanding, Susanta remains committed to giving back to society. His vision of a farmer-friendly, corruption-free India continues to drive his efforts in creating sustainable solutions for agriculture and real estate.
“Happiness is a choice,” Susanta often says, and his life is a testament to that belief. Through resilience, hard work, and a relentless focus on relationships, he has turned his setbacks into stepping stones, building a legacy that inspires all who hear his story.