Chandigarh, November 20, 2025: HS Oberoi, one of India’s most respected dairy technologists and a globally recognised authority on cheese, ghee, and butter, has passed away, at 83, his family confirmed. His cremation took place in Chandigarh on Thursday.
Widely hailed as the man who “gave birth to cheese in India,” Oberoi dedicated six decades to reshaping the country’s dairy processing landscape.
His early and defining contributions came from Punjab, where he began his career with Punjab Milkfed. He served in Hoshiarpur as GM, Punjab Milkfed and was also MD at Ludhiana in 1983. He again served as MD, Milkfed at Patiala from 1985-89 . He played a key role in strengthening the cooperative dairy movement and setting new benchmarks for product quality and processing excellence. His work with Milkfed is still remembered for advancing Punjab’s reputation as a leader in dairy innovation.
After Milkfed, he worked with Milkfood in Patiala and Modern Dairies. He contributed a lot to the white revolution in Punjab. After serving in Punjab, Oberoi went on to contribute to some of India’s most iconic dairy and food brands. He played a pioneering role in the development of ‘Go Cheese’, now among the country’s most recognised cheese brands. Colleagues fondly remember him as a visionary who transformed India’s dairy processing environment, especially during the period when cheese was still a nascent category in the country.
Oberoi shared a warm bond with Amul’s Managing Director RS Sodhi, who frequently sought his advice during new product launches. Industry observers often note that two Sikhs — HS Oberoi and RS Sodhi — together contributed to more than half of India’s modern dairy development, shaping the sector for future generations.
His unmatched technical expertise enabled breakthrough advancements across ghee, butter, cheese, paneer, and milk powder production, making him a valued figure behind several major food companies.
Over an illustrious career, Oberoi contributed to the manufacturing of milk powder for Nestlé, butter for Britannia, cheese for Jubilant Foods and Pizza Hut, and paneer for KFC, among several other collaborations that helped shape India’s modern dairy ecosystem.
Known for his integrity, he often helped dairy plants establish new lines and products without ever accepting financial compensation. Despite multiple offers from international companies, he chose to dedicate his life’s work to India.
His contributions also reached the global stage. He once appeared on the front page of a leading Danish newspaper during his participation in the International Dairy Conference in Denmark—an honour that brought pride to India’s dairy community.
HS Oberoi is survived by a large community of students, colleagues and admirers who credit him with inspiring, mentoring, and uplifting the field of dairy technology in India. His life remains a testament to dedication, patriotism, and his belief that great work is done not for money, but for purpose.
