Harichand Megha Dalaya — India’s Quiet Dairy Disruptor

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Harichand Megha Dalaya (1921- 2004) was a brilliant engineer-scientist who invented the world’s first spray-dryer for buffalo milk, way back in 1955 — a technological feat, because buffalo milk’s high fat content made spray-drying seem impossible at that time. 

That single invention turned surplus buffalo milk into durable powdered form, enabling the huge success of Amul and powering India’s White Revolution. His work lifted rural incomes, stabilized milk supply, and unlocked dairy potential for generations.

Many consider Dalaya as the “silent hero” or the “technical backbone” behind Amul’s rise — alongside other legends of Indian dairy. 

In 1948, Dalaya earned his Master’s degree in Dairy Technology from Michigan State University.  He also completed an Advanced Business Management program at Harvard Business School in 1950. 

His contributions didn’t just help one brand — they helped transform India’s entire dairy landscape, supporting millions of rural livelihoods and making milk widely available across the country. 

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