Bhubaneswar: Globally renowned scientist, visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr Sita Kantha Dash is a founder of the probiotics industry worldwide, and has made it his life’s mission to research and promote the benefits of probiotics. Coming from a remote village in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district, Dr. Dash has made it global in a big way.
Dr. Dash established UAS Laboratories, a developer and marketer of innovative probiotic products. Since the company’s founding in 1979, it has gained the reputation of being one of world’s top probiotics companies. Dr. Dash has been instrumental in growing the probiotics industry from a US$10 million-a-year to an estimated $100 billion-a-year industry, and the field continues to grow at a rapid pace.
Dr. Dash received his Ph.D. in nutrition and biochemistry from South Dakota State University (USA) in 1973 and subsequently furthered his education by earning a Doctor of Science in probiotic research from Utkal University in India. Prior to establishing UAS Laboratories in 1979, he worked as the director of Food and Drug for the state of South Dakota.
Over the years, Dr. Dash has utilized his knowledge and experience to author several publications. He wrote “The Consumer’s Guide to Probiotics” and “Health Benefits of Probiotics,” and co-authored “User’s Guide to Probiotics” and “The Garden Within.” Dr. Dash has also penned more than 40 research articles.
Dr. Dash has shared his expertise in adjunct professorship positions at both Minnesota State University and South Dakota State University. He recently established the Dr. S.K. Dash Probiotic and Prebiotic Innovation Center for Excellence and Endowed Professorship at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar (India) and South Dakota State University (USA).
An active philanthropist, Dr. Dash has also been integral in the establishment of several universities, hospitals, schools, and orphanages around the world. He has been serving as Chairman of Kalinga Hospital, the first corporate multispecialty hospital in Odisha, India.
He has served as the president of the Odisha Society of Americas and chairman of the Hindu Society of Minnesota. Other positions that Dr. Dash has held include director of the International Probiotics Association, director of the India Association of Minnesota, and founder and chairman of the Dr. Dash Foundation (USA).
He is the founder of the SKBET Center at IIT Bhubaneswar. He is actively participating to promote the Jagannath culture across the globe. He inspires to work innovatively for mankind and is a role model and hero for millions of youths across the globe.
Dr. Dash has received numerous national and international awards for his accomplishments in the fields of probiotics, science, technology, and philanthropy; including being recognized as Distinguished Man of the Year.
Other honors include, but are not limited to, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the State of Minnesota (USA) in 2018, distinguished Odiya Award from the President of India in 2017, the Distinguished Alumni Award from South Dakota State University in 2014, and the 2010 Probiotic Award from Frost & Sullivan, India Association of Minnesota (USA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, Odisha Society of the Americas in 2000 and the Outstanding Man of the Year by the Hindu Society of Minnesota in 1998.
Dr. Dash has taken a new challenge and is serving as Chairman and Chancellor of J.K. University, Odisha, (India). This is a start-up model university that is expected to offer educational and research programs in 2024.
Dr. Dash’s achievements in the fields of science and society are massive, yet the man leads a simple life and has always been attached to his roots. He is certainly an inspiration for one and all, in the true sense of the term.
Recently, OMMCOM NEWS had an opportunity to interview Dr Dash. Below are the excerpts from the interview….
Q: You are one of the recognised voices amongst the global Odia in the USA. You also contributed immensely to making it a vibrant diaspora. Tell us about the motivation behind it?
A: From my modest beginning in a remote village of Odisha to the USA I have seen many ups and downs in life. My love for Odisha always motivates me to facilitate Odia people and culture on the global stage. Odisha is unique we have a dance, music, and a vibrant culture and the world should know it. I think Odisha has many stories to tell the world.
Q: Do you think people in the USA appreciate our dance and culture in comparison to other Indian states?
A: Absolutely, I have seen the applause when Guru Kelucharan was dancing on the stage. The overwhelming response shall be ever remembered. The Odisha Society of Americans with which I have been proudly associated has made tremendous efforts to showcase Odia culture on the global stage.
Q: At a personal level what you have been doing to popularise Odisha culture in the USA?
A: Dr Dash Foundation under my leadership has facilitated a number of students to study in the USA. I have contributed to their expenses and extended a helping hand. Also over the years, I have facilitated Guru Kelucharan, Sanjukta Panigrahi to Aruna Mohanty to perform in the USA.
From Manoj Das, the master storyteller, to well-known writer Dr Prativa Roy, Dr Dash Foundation tried its best to facilitate these scholars to tell the stories of Odisha to the globe. Also, legendary Prafulla Kar and Pranab Pattnaik shared the great lyrics of Odisha in America and Dr Dash Foundation facilitated it. The work goes on. My job is to facilitate Odia scholars and give them exposure to a multi-culture world.
Q: Since you have been living in the USA for a long time. Do you feel a sense of belongingness to Odisha and made any attempt for its development?
A: I have made impact-worthy research in the field of probiotics (friendly bacteria that help for a healthy body). I am also associated with the IIT Bhubaneswar in the field of research. And the amazing results shall not only benefit Odisha but the world as a whole. Also, Kalinga Hospital, Bhubaneswar, a premier health centre of Odisha is known for its affordable health care is my humble attempt to serve Odisha. In the field of Education, Dr. Dash Foundation has been working hard for Jagadguru Kripalu University. I am the Chancellor, and my effort is to ensure global standard education in Odisha.
Q: Do you have any future plans?
A: I have been working hard to propagate Jagannath culture in the world and shall continue to do so. Also, a Children’s hospital in Bhubaneswar is in my futuristic plan along with a cancer unit at Kalinga Hospital, Bhubaneswar. At this stage, my only attempt is to put Odisha in the mainstream global discourse.
