Founder of Sahara India Pariwar, Subrata Roy, Passes Away at 75

Subrata Roy, the visionary founder of Sahara India Pariwar, breathed his last on November 14 at 10:30 pm. The Sahara group confirmed the demise of the 75-year-old entrepreneur, attributing the cause to cardiorespiratory arrest after a prolonged battle with complications arising from metastatic malignancy, hypertension, and diabetes. Roy had been admitted to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute on November 12, following a deterioration in his health. He is survived by his wife Swapna Roy and two sons, Sushanto Roy and Seemanto Roy.

Born in Bihar’s Araria in 1948, Subrata Roy laid the foundation of Sahara India with a modest capital of Rs 2,000. Over the years, the company burgeoned into a major player in India’s business landscape. Roy relocated the headquarters to Lucknow in the 1990s, with Time magazine once recognizing Sahara India as the second-largest employer in the country, trailing only Indian Railways. Known for his association with film stars and a wide network across political parties, Roy held deep ties with Mulayam Singh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party. The entrepreneur was not only celebrated for his business acumen but also for his philanthropic endeavors, earning a reputation as a sensitive individual with a generous heart.

The news of Subrata Roy’s demise has elicited emotional responses, especially from the political sphere. Samajwadi Party chief and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav expressed deep sorrow, stating, “The death of Shri Subrata Roy ji is an emotional loss for Uttar Pradesh and the country because along with being a very successful businessman, he was also a very sensitive person with a big heart who helped countless people and became their support.” The void left by Roy’s passing is not only felt in business circles but also resonates as a loss for the state and the nation.

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