Basanta Kumar Kar

Fondly known as ‘Nutrition Man’, Basanta Kumar Kar is an award-winning international development professional who has led large country and regional programs in South and Southeast Asia and provided strategic advisory support to Africa. An acclaimed global leader in food and nutrition, Basanta won numerous accolades for his work on nutrition and sustainable development. He has held leadership positions in credible national and international non-profit and social business organisations of repute.

For his contribution to the food and nutrition sector, Basanta was adjudged as one of the 12 Global Food and Nutrition leaders to follow on social media (January 2022), conferred with the prestigious Global Nutrition Leadership Award (2019), ‘Hero of the Decade’ recognition for contribution to the Swachh and Swasth (Clean and Healthy) India (2019), Government of India’s recognition on contribution to the National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan)-2018, ‘Transform Nutrition Champion’ Award for India and Bangladesh (2016), Odisha Living Legend Award (2016), Pravasi Odia Samman (2023) and Sustainable Leadership Award (2025).

He represents in many policy and advisory bodies of the government and nutrition platforms in the Asian region and has been on expert panel of local and global conferences. The author has published two collections of poems in English. He holds a Management degree from the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) and a degree in English Literature and Law.