Asia’s first Sugar Factory in Aska of Odisha, know history: Watch
With the history of this factory that had been established in Aska, in today's Ganjam district of Odisha in the mid-nineteenth century, comes the interesting anecdote of Vivian Minchin and his wife Sona Sahebani
The Aska town in present day Ganjam district of Odisha is also known as the Sugar city since the first ever sugar factory of Asia had taken birth here in the nineteenth century. Fredrick Joseph Vivian Minchin is known as the father of Sugar industry who bears the credit of successfully running the Sugar factory with the then available latest modern technology during the British era in India.
In lieu of housing Asia’s first ever sugar factory Odisha enjoys a special identity. Interestingly, despite several ups and downs the same is still running where a large numbers are employed. And during its journey of hundreds of years the factory has passed through many incidents which are worth remembering.
In the middle of the nineteenth century erstwhile Aska was famous for sugar farming. Then, after completion of his studies in England Vivian Minchin joined British Army and came to India at the age of 18. Major Vivian Minchin kept much interest for agricultural industrialisation. He chose to live in Aska.
The Asia’s first jaggery mill in Aska met with huge losses due to some bottle-necks. Accordingly, Vivian Minchin later purchased the said factory and with the new Sugar Technology obtained from Germany designed and rebuilt the factory. With his able managerial capacity and modern know-how he successfully ran the factory.
As per reports, the sugar produced in this factory stood first in an international sugar exhibition held in Paris in 1878. Accordingly, Major Minchin was regarded as the father of Sugar industry in Asia. He was fondly known as Minchin Sahib in Aska area.
Despite his foreign origin, Minchin Sahib decided to stay back in the then Odisha after establishment of the sugar factory. Later, he got married to a local Odia woman named Sona (also called Suna). Accordingly, now another name ‘Sona Sahebani’ got attached to the name of Minchin Sahib.
The couple constructed their own bungalow in erstwhile Aska where the Harihar High School is located these days.
Along with sugar, rectified spirit was also produced in the factory that was prepared utilizing molasses, the organic by-product of the sugar unit.
The products were exported to foreign countries via the nearby Gopalpur port. In this way, the local sugarcane farmers reaped the benefit of the establishment of the factory and earned handsome income while sugarcane farming flourished in the area.
The sugar industry created appointment opportunities for large number of locals. Meanwhile road communication developed from Aska to Gopalpur while bridges were constructed over Rushikulya River and Ghodahada River of Hinjili. Gradually the locals developed socially and economically with booming of agriculture as well as industry in this region.
Apart from business, Minchin Sahib and Sona Sahebani also hosted social work to help out people. They also supported small industries to grow.
Minchin Sahib breathed his last in 1908 during his stay in Gapalpur. The responsibility of the Sugar factory now vested on the shoulder of Sona Sahebani, his wife.
After running for a few years Sona Sahebani sold the factory to Paramananda Sahu, an entrepreneur from Berhampur. Later, Sona Sahebani passed away in the year 1916. After their demise, the samadhi of Sona Sahebani was made near the burial place of Minchin Sahib in the premises. At this place a bronze statue of Minchin Sahib and a statue of Sona Sahebani that looked like a fairy were erected.
On the other hand, after the factory was sold, it ran well for some years but became sick later. The ailing factory had to be closed for becoming out-dated, uneconomical and could not fight with modern technologies.
After long years, efforts were made to materialize the dream of Minchin Sahib who had conceptualized the sugar industry. A few co-operative society experts, intellectuals and leaders came up for revival of the factory.
Accordingly, in the year 1960 the then Odisha Chief Minister Harekrushna Mahatab laid the foundation of the factory in Nuagan of Aska. Later, in 1963, former Odisha CM Biju Pattnaik inaugurated the new sugar factory. After 10 days of inauguration, production started from the factory.
Along with sugar production, a bottling plant was established in the factory. Country liquor Aska-40 was produced here that was prepared from molasses, the organic by-product of sugarcane. The product was supplied to the Depots of Nirgundi in Cuttack, Khordha, Chandikhol and Balasore. The factory earned good profit. It brought development to the area while created huge employment opportunity.
However, later the factory again faced issues. Defects were marked in crushing of sugarcane as well as production of sugar and liquor. And hence the factory could not function regularly. In the meanwhile, labour issues also surfaced due to the difference between the working labourers and labour organisations. Complaints were raised over appointment and disengagement of labourers and staff. The farmers who were supplying sugarcane to the factory complained of non-payment. Accordingly, both sugarcane farmers and farming got affected. Due to decline in production and other issues the factory got entangled in debt trap.
Later, on January 12, 2012 an explosion took place in the factory at about 10 pm in a cold night when everybody was in deep sleep. Due to the blast the molasses tank exploded in the premises. The liquid molasses flowed to the nearby area as the factory wall collapsed and three people were killed when they were sleeping.
Tension gripped the area following the explosion while several protests were launched. After 8 years in 2020 March, again defect was witnessed in the molasses tank pipe and resultantly molasses hovered inside the premises. Earlier on another occasion in 2018 February, sugarcane crushing had been stopped for three days after defect was witnessed in the pipe of the boiler in the factory.
The dwellers living near the factory premises are still terrified of the explosion in the molasses tank. On the other hand, it has been complained that many labourers who had lost job are living a wretched life.
Despite all these ups and downs, the sugar factory of Aska has still maintained its identity. The factory officials have said that efforts are being made to improve situation. In these days, more than 940 employees including permanent and contractual staff are working in the factory. Also, Government allocation has been sanctioned for modernisation of the sugar factory as well as Aska-40 bottling plant. A loan of Rs. 9 crore has been taken from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for development of the factory. Accordingly, now there is loan burden of Rs 29.09 crore on the factory, says a report. However, still efforts are being made for repayment of the loan as well as overall development of the factory, said secretary of the factory.
On the other hand it has also been complained that negative campaign is being spread by some people that has come as hurdles in the development of the factory. However, all possible efforts are being made by the Government for the growth of the factory.
The Sugar factory of Aska that has carved a niche for itself in Asia has made its journey through ups and downs. It has been hoped that the factory will regain its past glory soon.
With inputs from Ratnakar Sahu, Bhanjanagar
Ms Kalinga