Report by Pravuprasad Routray, Bhubaneswar: Entrepreneurship is not all about profit or moneymaking. But for young entrepreneur Alok Maharana  it is all about responsibility to protect our heritage, promote our tourism potential and plough the wealth back into the state.

Alok Maharana  who is the Managing Director  of Sand Pebbles Tour 'n' Travels (I) Pvt. Ltd. said our main motto is to promote our eco tourism spots, living heritage. Maharana a Post graduate of the RCM, Bhubaneswar has more than two decades of experience in hospitality.

Prior to Sand Pebbles, Mr. Maharana started a small tour operation unit just after completing his MTA in 1995 which was registered as "Sand Pebbles Tour 'n' Travels in 1999 and thanks to his unwavering zeal to succeed in his chosen field, it now has turned into a hugely successful conglomerate. Today "Sand Pebbles Tour 'n' Travels (I) Pvt. Ltd" is one of the most trusted brands of Odisha having branches in almost all the important metro cities in India like Hyderabad, Kolkata, and New Delhi apart from having branches at the Temple City Bhubaneswar, Steel City Rourkela, Puri -Abode of Lord Jagannath. Further Eco Tourism Jungle Resort at Bhitarkanika National Park is one of the noteworthy contributions that "Sand Pebbles Tour 'n' Travels (I) Pvt. Ltd" has come up with and it would not be an exaggeration to state that it (Sand Pebbles) is on an ever expanding spree. "An institution is the lengthen shadow of one man" says Ralph Waldo Emerson and this can not be more true of "Sand Pebbles Tour 'n' Travels      ( I ) Pvt. Ltd" and Mr. Alok Maharana. From humble beginning he has leapfrogged to the pole position and is creating ripples in the Sunshine sector bears ample testimony to his commitment, care, prudence & foresight and work ethics. Moreover, this enterprise is built on "TRUST" and he has done everything to be synonymous with the 'T 'word. A genuine and affable man, his steely resolve and 'there is no short-cut to success' attitude is particularly worth emulating.

Some are successful, for, they are destined to; Mr. Alok Maharana is successful, for, he is determined to. Appearance can be deceptive they say. This can not be truer than in case of Mr. Maharana.  Beneath his impeccable dress-code and glint in the eyes what sets him apart is his fierce determination and rigorous work ethics coupled with never say die attitude –that has been instrumental in defining him and his ever expanding enterprise "Sand Pebbles Tour 'n' Travels ( I ) Pvt. Ltd". It all started when he was barely out of his teens. Just after completing his M.T.A. from RCM, Bhubaneswar in 1994, very few expected him to embrace upon this ultra-fluctuating assignment in the "Sunshine Industry", that too at a time in Odisha, where "TOURISM" was at its nascent stage. But then he had other ideas! From a very modest beginning the "Sand Pebbles" is rising like a phoenix, attests to his business acumen and enterprising skill.

It is so difficult to strike a balance between business and family but he does that exceptionally well is what, Mrs. Bijayalaxmi, his better half, says. Piush, the Junior Maharana, then joins to add of his father's affection and what a "doting dad" he's been. Close chums vouch for his generosity and his willingness to throw his weight for a collective cause –to help the needy and downtrodden and what's more is to do all these without anyone's notice, i.e. remaining far away from media attention and advertisement. Those in the know speak of his simplicity and unassuming nature.
 
Though he has been fairly successful as an entrepreneur in the estimate of general public at large, he is not the one to rest on his laurels and constantly strives to conquer newer horizon and take on the world heads on. To set a benchmark and redefine Travel 'n' Tourism Industry has remained his motto and he remains more than sincere pursuing them.