Bhubaneswar: Renowned industrialist of Odisha Sarat Kumar Sahoo, who founded Ruchi Foodline, passed away on Sunday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai. He was 76.
Sahoo, who was Executive Chairman of OASME, breathed his last at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, family sources said.
The distinguished industrialist, who was famous for “Ruchi Masala,” has left behind a legacy of entrepreneurial excellence and social impact.
As the Executive Chairman of the Odisha Assembly of Small and Medium Enterprises (OASME), Sahoo played a pivotal role in empowering MSMEs across the state.
Widely respected for his contribution to Odisha’s industrial growth and commitment to promoting indigenous food products, Sahoo was instrumental in popularising Ruchi Masala and making it a household name.
Sahoo had founded the company in 1976 as a small enterprise named Om Oil and Flour Mills at a rented premises in the Industrial Estate, Cuttack.
Credited with building the company from a meagre start, overcoming significant challenges, he received several awards and was recognized as a visionary leader in the spice sector.
His passing has sent ripples of grief through the business community, with tributes pouring in from industry leaders, colleagues, and admirers.
