Suparjya swain 
FEATURE: In the sunlit fields of Western Odisha, far from the noise of bustling cities, a quiet yet powerful revolution has been steadily unfolding. At the heart of this transformation is Mr. Murali Krishna—a visionary educationist, compassionate reformer, and a relentless advocate for rural empowerment through education, healthcare, and social upliftment.
He began with little more than an unshakable conviction and a burning question: “If not me, then who?” Armed with nothing but determination and a dream, Mr. Krishna co-founded the Vikash Residential School in Bargarh in 2002, along with three equally committed collaborators. Faced with skepticism and mockery—”Ek dabba wala kya school chalayege?” they said—he remained undeterred. That humble school, started in a single rented building, sowed the seeds for a movement that would one day touch thousands of lives.
Today, that small spark has blossomed into the Krishna Vikash Group, an inspiring educational and social ecosystem comprising 19 institutions across Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh, nurturing over 12,000 students and providing livelihoods to more than 3,500 people. What began as a modest effort is now a thriving force for change, driven by purpose, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to community. The GARUDA Eco Project founded by is a game changer project in Odisha tourism map and now he will come up with another House Boat project at Hirakud Back Water.
From its early roots in Bargarh and Rourkela, Krishna Vikash expanded thoughtfully to Angul and Berhampur. The CHSE Higher Secondary School at Bargarh, launched in 2003, became a cornerstone for their educational vision, offering students not just academic instruction but a nurturing environment focused on holistic growth. These are not mere institutions; they are sanctuaries where learning is personal, joyful, and rooted in the spirit of Bloom’s Taxonomy—fostering critical thinking, creativity, and real-life application skills.
The Group’s footprint in Chhattisgarh further strengthened its reputation. The Raipur campus, housing colleges in engineering, pharmacy, commerce, education, and management, stands as a testament to their commitment to broad-based, career-ready education. A 60-acre private university is now on the horizon, with the Letter of Intent already secured. In Bhilai, an English-medium school flourishes, while in Jagdalpur, a residential school serves as a beacon of hope for rural students, offering access to quality education previously beyond their reach.
In Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, the group operates Vijayam School, a CBSE-affiliated English-medium institution, marking its presence in the southern educational landscape with pride.
The Group’s forward-thinking collaborations, like the one with AIPH University in Bhubaneswar, offer cutting-edge education in public health, allied sciences, and clinical disciplines. An upcoming private university campus near IIT Bhubaneswar is set to further strengthen their higher education initiatives, solidifying the group’s vision of creating institutions that empower future generations.
Beyond education, healthcare has emerged as a critical pillar of Mr. Krishna’s legacy. During the harrowing days of the COVID-19 pandemic, he personally helped establish 100-bed temporary hospitals in Sambalpur, Kalahandi, and other districts within just 15 days. His swift action and deep compassion earned accolades from the state government and brought much-needed relief to struggling communities. Today, Multi-specialty hospitals in Bargarh, Burla, and Sambalpur continue to serve thousands, embodying a model of advanced care fused with empathy and accessibility.
Mr. Krishna’s social commitment runs even deeper. The Vikash Institute of Social Welfare offers free, residential education to over 400 underprivileged children, adhering to CBSE and ITI curricula. Further amplifying this mission, the MuraliKrishna Foundation supports free surgeries, health camps, OPD services, and scholarships. Its community impact has been profound—over 1,000 cataract surgeries completed, 15,000 OPD patients treated, and 30,000 lives positively touched through rural healthcare outreach programs.
Another remarkable chapter of his journey is the revival of the dormant Lions Eye Hospital in Bargarh. Through consistent support and unwavering belief, Mr. Krishna restored it into a fully functioning institution, once again serving the people who needed it the most.
One of the most heartwarming and powerful aspects of Mr. Krishna’s efforts is his commitment to women empowerment. Recognizing the challenges faced by vulnerable women, all Krishna Vikash campuses prioritize hiring widows, single mothers, and sole earners of families as hostel wardens and residential caretakers. Many destitute, abandoned, or unmarried women have found dignity, livelihood, and a renewed sense of purpose under his initiatives. It’s not just about employment—it’s about restoring hope, self-respect, and the promise of a better life.
Today, the Krishna Vikash journey is entering a new era. Actor and humanitarian Anupam Kher has joined as the group’s official brand ambassador, signalling a step toward national visibility while maintaining their grassroots authenticity. The launch of the group’s first brand film beautifully captures their story, giving a powerful voice to their journey.
Even amidst this success, Mr. Krishna remains a tireless learner and servant leader. He recently completed an Executive MBA from IIM Sambalpur, sharpening his management acumen. He is also an active member of JCI, having conducted more than 100 sessions for students, teachers, women, and youth on leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. His case study, Vikash: A Social Entrepreneurship Venture of Shri DM Krishna, was featured in the 2008 International Conference on Management Cases. The spiritual dimension of his personality is well evident with his whole hearted involvement in the management and growth of Tirupati Tirumala Devsthanam, Bhubaneswar temple at Jayadev Vihar, Bhubaneswar.
At its core, Krishna Vikash is not about creating institutions—it is about transforming lives. Mr. Murali Krishna’s leadership is not flashy but steadfast, rooted in humility, resilience, and an unyielding belief in the potential of ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things.
“Find a need, and serve it with sincerity. Don’t chase recognition; focus on relevance,” he often says—a simple principle that defines his extraordinary journey.
And so, in the fields of Odisha and beyond, the spark that Mr. Krishna once ignited has now grown into a flame—steady, bright, and impossible to ignore.
