FEATURE: Kamal Mohanty exemplifies how an individual can seamlessly transition from a successful sports career to a thriving role in the business world. His inspiring journey from cricket fields to corporate boardrooms is defined by his relentless hard work, sharp decision-making, and commitment to long-term growth. In a candid conversation with Interview Times, Kamal opens up about his life, starting from his formative years in a military family, his illustrious cricketing career, and his ambitious entrepreneurial ventures.
A Sportsman’s Genesis
Growing up in a disciplined military household, Kamal was fortunate to explore various sports such as cricket, badminton, and horse riding. Hailing from Odisha, he began his cricketing journey and eventually played domestic tournaments for West Bengal. Known for his all-round skills, Kamal’s cricketing career spanned several years in the domestic circuit. Among his many achievements, his time as a teammate of Sourav Ganguly stands out as a defining memory.
Kamal’s passion for sports laid a strong foundation of discipline and resilience. These qualities would later serve him well in his entrepreneurial ventures. While cricket taught him teamwork and leadership, his exposure to diverse experiences during his formative years prepared him for the multifaceted challenges of the corporate world.
The Shift to Business
After stepping away from cricket, Kamal’s entry into the business world was serendipitous. Though he always had a strong inclination towards finance, banking, and investment, his transition to the corporate realm wasn’t meticulously planned. A native of Odisha, he pursued his MBA in Information Systems and Corporate Finance from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. Armed with academic expertise and an entrepreneurial spirit, Kamal founded the Lamak Group in 2007, a specialized staffing company focused on technology and management.
Leveraging the power of social networking, Kamal’s business model emphasizes recruitment through referrals. With over a decade of successful business development in IT recruitment and consulting, he has operated across South America, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Taiwan, and Europe. Despite his global presence, Kamal remains deeply connected to India. “There is no place like India on earth,” he asserts passionately.
Kamal’s ventures extend beyond recruitment. He has been instrumental in building startups and fostering innovative solutions. His vision for business emphasizes creating value through strategic partnerships and sustainable practices.
Plans for Odisha’s Growth
Driving Technology-Enabled Business
Kamal sees immense potential in Odisha for leveraging technology to boost business development. With operations already established in the US and Europe, he envisions Odisha as a hub supporting his global ventures. His approach involves hiring local talent and creating the infrastructure necessary for large-scale operations. “This transformation won’t happen overnight. It will take five to seven years of consistent effort. However, our company, Lamak, is committed to investing and collaborating with the state government to achieve this vision,” Kamal explains.
Pioneering Water Independence
A groundbreaking aspect of Kamal’s vision involves making Odisha the first Indian state to achieve water independence. Through partnerships with US industrialists specializing in desalination technologies, Kamal aims to address the global challenge of freshwater scarcity. Desalination, the process of removing dissolved salts from water, holds the potential to transform seawater into a viable resource for consumption and agriculture. “Fresh drinking water is one of the world’s biggest challenges, and Odisha has the opportunity to lead the way,” he affirms.
Positioning Odisha as a Financial Hub
To attract investors, Kamal underscores the need for regulatory reforms. According to him, enhancing infrastructure and professionalizing operations has already set Odisha on a progressive trajectory. “In the next 10 to 15 years, I am optimistic that Odisha will rank among the top ten destinations for investment in India,” he predicts.
Focus on Youth Empowerment
Kamal emphasizes the need to channelize the energy of Odisha’s youth. His strategy focuses on fostering an intellectual workforce rather than relying on labor-intensive employment. “Opportunities need to be created, but young individuals must bring the necessary skills and expertise to seize them,” he insists. By establishing institutions that equip the youth with resources and training, Kamal envisions a brighter future for the state.
As a strong advocate for skill development, Kamal believes that education and hands-on training are vital to nurturing talent. His plans include setting up programs that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, ensuring that the youth are well-prepared to meet the demands of the evolving job market.
Odisha on the International Sports Map
Despite Odisha’s deep cultural connection to sports, particularly cricket and hockey, the state has struggled to produce international-level cricketers in recent years. Kamal points out that inadequate infrastructure, lack of funds, and the unavailability of psychological coaching have hindered the growth of talented players. Moreover, cricket coaches need to adopt modern approaches to train players effectively and foster mental resilience.
“Cricket is no longer just a physical game; it is as much about mental toughness as it is about skill,” Kamal notes. The absence of quality coaching that addresses the psychological aspect of the game remains a significant hurdle.
Beyond cricket, Kamal sees tremendous potential in promoting unconventional sports like horse riding. He recounts the impressive talents of children in Malkangiri who have developed a knack for riding horses. With proper training and resources, Kamal believes Odisha’s youth can achieve global recognition in such niche sports.
Kamal Mohanty’s multifaceted journey embodies resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Whether on the cricket field, in the corporate world, or through his philanthropic endeavors, Kamal continues to leave an indelible mark. His endeavors are poised to elevate Odisha’s profile both economically and socially, paving the way for transformative growth.
For Kamal, the journey has just begun. From a cricketer who graced domestic pitches to an entrepreneur shaping global strategies, his story is a testament to the limitless possibilities born from determination and innovation.