Bhubaneswar, Nov 2: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Dr. Sarat Kumar Sahoo, the founder of Ruchi Masala and a towering figure in Odisha’s industrial sector.

In a heartfelt post on X, Pradhan described Dr. Sahoo as a pioneering entrepreneur whose contributions reshaped the state’s business landscape.

ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ଶିଳ୍ପପତି ତଥା 'ରୁଚି ମସଲା'ର ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠାତା ଡ଼. ଶରତ କୁମାର ସାହୁଙ୍କ ବିୟୋଗ ଖବର ଶୁଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ ଓ ମର୍ମାହତ । ଜଣେ ସଫଳ ଉଦ୍ୟୋଗୀ ସହ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଶିଳ୍ପ ଜଗତକୁ ଏକ ନୂତନ ଦିଗ ଦେବାରେ ତାଙ୍କର ଅବଦାନ ଅତୁଳନୀୟ । ତାଙ୍କର ବିୟୋଗ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଶିଳ୍ପ ଜଗତ ପାଇଁ ଏକ ଅପୂରଣୀୟ କ୍ଷତି । ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା କରିବା…

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 2, 2025

Dr. Sahoo, known for his leadership and innovation, transformed Ruchi Masala into a household name and played a key role in promoting indigenous food processing industries. His entrepreneurial journey inspired many and helped position Odisha as a rising hub for industrial growth.

Pradhan noted that Dr. Sahoo’s demise is an “irreparable loss” to Odisha’s industrial community and praised his unmatched legacy. He also extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul’s eternal peace.

Also Read: Ruchi Masala Founder Sarat Kumar Sahoo Passes Away

Notably, Dr. Sarat Kumar Sahoo, a pioneering industrialist and founder of Ruchi Foodline, best known for its popular Ruchi Masala brand, passed away Sunday afternoon at the age of 74.

Dr. Sahoo was serving as the Executive Chairman of the Odisha Assembly of Small and Medium Enterprises (OASME), where he played a vital role in strengthening the MSME sector in the state.

Tributes from business leaders and political leaders poured in, mourning the passing away of Dr. Sahoo.