In the coastal town of Gopalpur, Odisha, where the sea breeze carries tales of generations past, Havaldar Ardhi Krishna Rao followed footprints left in service to the nation. His father, an Army Service Corps veteran, had sown the first seeds of duty in young Krishna's heart. Now, in the home he shares with his parents, wife, and two school-going children, those seeds have blossomed into a legacy of both service and innovation.  The call to serve came naturally to Krishna, the eldest son who grew up hearing stories of sacrifice and honour. After completing his schooling in Berhampur, he stepped into his father's boots, passing the Army selection process with unwavering determination. What followed was a 26-year odyssey across the nation's frontiers — from the snow-capped peaks of Jammu & Kashmir to the plains of Punjab, each posting adding a new chapter to his story. In 2023, amidst the rubble of earthquake-stricken Syria, Krishna found himself as a part of the UN Disengagement Force. "In those moments," he recalls, his eyes distant with memory, "you realize that serving goes beyond wearing a uniform – it's about being there when humanity needs you most."

Today, on the three acres of ancestral land gifted by his father, Krishna orchestrates a different kind of operation. His kevda flower farm is a testament to nature's bounty and human ingenuity. The delicate blooms, numbering over 25,000 at a time, yield precious oil worth twelve lakh rupees per litre. But more than the monetary value, it's the creation of a sustainable ecosystem that brings pride to this veteran's eyes.

Six skilled workers, housed on the farm like family, tend to the flowers with the same precision Krishna once applied to his military duties. Nothing goes to waste – even the dried remnants return to the soil as manure, completing nature's cycle. From April to November, the farm buzzes with activity, the fragrant breeze carrying promises of prosperity to Kannauj, where his precious oils find their market.

But for Krishna, this is just the beginning. Like every good soldier, he's already planning his next objective – expansion, more customers, greater reach. The discipline of army life flows through his business practices, yet now he's free to chart his own course, turning flowers into fortune while honouring both his military past and agrarian roots.

In the end, Havaldar Ardhi Krishna Rao's story is more than a tale of transition – it's a testament to how the seeds of service, when planted in fertile soil, can bloom into unexpected gardens of opportunity. From protecting borders to cultivating fragrance, his journey continues to inspire.