About Lift
History
The Leelabati Institute of Foreign Trade (LIFT) was founded in 2007 in the culturally rich and historically significant temple city of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Established as an independent institute by the visionary Late Shri Hari Charan Sahoo, an esteemed former Director, LIFT was born out of a deep commitment to contribute meaningfully to India’s external trade sector through skill development and capacity building.
Named in honor of values rooted in knowledge, perseverance, and service, LIFT began its journey with a strong foundation in education, research, and consultancy focused on international business and trade. With Shri Sahoo’s foresight and dedication, the institute quickly distinguished itself as a center of excellence in the field of International Business Management and Strategy.
Over the years, LIFT has evolved into a premier institution, known for its academic rigor, practical relevance, and global perspective. Its work spans research initiatives, training programs, and strategic consultancy, aligning with the changing dynamics of global trade and the growing aspirations of Indian enterprises. At LIFT, we are committed to building a strong foundation for India’s export ecosystem by imparting high-quality education, hands-on training, and real-world exposure in international trade.
Going beyond the classroom, our consulting arm, LIFT-EXIM, offers dedicated guidance and mentorship to budding entrepreneurs and start-up export enterprises.
LIFT-EXIM specializes in helping businesses profitably grow through global market expansion. With deep expertise and proven methodologies, we assess your export readiness, craft practical strategies, and support you at every step—ensuring you avoid costly mistakes and navigate global trade with confidence.
Whether you’re just starting out or seeking to scale, LIFT and LIFT-EXIM work with you to turn your global business ambitions into tangible success.
Today, LIFT continues to uphold its founding vision, shaping skilled professionals and informed leaders ready to contribute to India’s growth in the global economic arena. The institute remains a beacon of specialized education and a driving force in fostering international trade competence across sectors.
Today, LIFT humbly expresses its heartfelt gratitude to all our esteemed patrons — whose unwavering guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping our journey into a specialized institution of excellence.
We are deeply indebted to:
- Shri Panchanan Dash, I.S.S. (Retd.)
- Late Shri Niranjan Mohanty, Managing Director, Magnum Apparels
- Shri Rajen Padhi, Iconic Seafood Exporter
- Shri Himadri Pattanaik, Managing Director, Exim Logistics
- Jugal Kishore Sahoo, Former Vice Chancellor, North Odisha University
- Samson Moharana, Former Head, Department of Commerce, Utkal University
- Ranjan Kumar Bal, Former Head, Department of Commerce, Utkal University
- Maheswar Sahu, Former Head, Department of Commerce, Utkal University
- Shri Sukanta Kumar Sahoo, Assistant Director, MSME-DI, Cuttack
- Shri Kamalakanta Sahoo, Head-Odisha Chapter, Federation of Indian Export Organisation
- Tushar Kanta Pani, Head, Department of Commerce, Ravenshaw University
- Dr.Sridhar Panda, Former Director Academics, Fortune Institute of International Business
- Late Er. Pradipta Chandra Mohanty, Former E.I.C. (Energy), Government of Odisha
- Shri Chittaranjan Mishra, General Manager-Exports, Gupta Cables Pvt Ltd
- Shri Bhawani Shanker Pani, General Manager (Retd) NALCO
- Shri Bibekananda Mishra, Manager, J.M.Baxi
- Shri Sankershan Mohapatra, DB Schenker Logistics