Kalarabank, a remote village in Cuttack district of Odisha, has been developed as a 'Smart Village', in a unique direct development action in the country. Work to develop the village as a 'Model Village' was started in 2000 at the initiative of noted educational entrepreneur, social activist & reformer Achyuta Samanta, a native of the village who was inspired by his mother Nilimarani Samanta to work for his village.
In the next five to six years, Kalarabank was transformed into a model village with development of many modern amenities for education, health & sanitation, communication, environment, etc. Shri Rameswar Thakur, the then Governor of Odisha inaugurated 'Kalarabank Model Village' on 5th June, 2006. Subsequently, the village has been developed into a Smart Village with coverage of entire village under Wi-Fi and introduction of solar energy.
The Smart Village Project is being implemented by Nilimarani Memorial Charitable Trust (NMCT), which was established for this purpose.