US Rotary Club Honours Renowned Odia Sita Kantha Dash With Prestigious Award

Bhubaneswar: Globally-renowned Odia entrepreneur and inventor Dr Sita Kantha Dash was recently honoured by Rotary Club of Edina, Minnesota (USA) with the prestigious membership in the Arch Klumpf Society.

Arch Klumpf Society, named after one of Rotary Club’s Presidents, is a recognition given to people who have contributed at least $250,000 to “do good in the world.”

Dr Dash has helped shape the $100 billion probiotic industry through his pioneering work.

In a special ceremony that was also heralded as India Day, community leaders spoke of the many contributions of Dr Dash both locally and globally — from supporting water projects around the world to launching a world-class university in Odisha.

“We are honoured to recognise the philanthropic work of Dr Dash across the world,” said Rotary Club Edina President Shelly Loberg.

Tanwi Prigge, President of India Association of Minnesota, spoke of the wide-ranging contributions of Dr Dash.

“Dr Dash has received numerous national and international awards for his accomplishments in the fields of probiotics, science and technology, including being recognised as Distinguished Man of the Year. Other honours include, but are not limited to, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the State of Minnesota in 2018, distinguished Odia Award from the President of India in 2017, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from South Dakota State University in 2014,” said Prigge.

“Dr Dash reflects the tremendous contributions Indian Americans make in the USA with their buying power bigger than the economy of Arkansas, their business revenue bigger than the economy of Nevada and estimated tax payments almost as large as the budget of Minnesota… What I appreciate most about Dr Dash is that he treats every person with respect and value,” said Dr Bruce Corrie, economist and Associate Vice-President of Concordia University, Minnesota.

“Dr. Dash was recently honoured with the rotunda of the Minnesota History Museum named after him… We appreciate his efforts to lift up the Indian American community through supporting a book on the Indian diaspora to Minnesota, support for the Beyond Bollywood exhibit of the Smithsonian in Minnesota, and the annual celebration of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi and India Fest,” said Nash Shaikh, Chief of Staff, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.