Hearts Behind the Heritage
Meet the passionate minds behind your favorite South Indian vegetarian dishes — bringing age-old wisdom to modern-day tables.
Late Dr Radha Ramakrishnan |
Co-Founder and Chief Taste Officer 
Behind every great brand lies an extraordinary inspiration. For us, it was Dr Radha Ramakrishnan, whose remarkable journey shaped Rusingo's very foundation. As a distinguished officer in the Indian Railways, she balanced the demands of a challenging career with motherhood, often returning home after long hours and extensive travel across India. It was her daughter who witnessed firsthand the daily struggle of preparing healthy, authentic South Indian meals while managing a demanding career — a challenge that sparked the vision for Rusingo.
Dr Radha was already celebrated in her community for her exceptional South Indian spice blends, vadams, and pickles, each prepared with meticulous attention to detail. When her daughter envisioned building a world-class South Indian brand, Dr Radha joined forces with her, bringing not just her culinary expertise but also her unwavering values of honesty, sincerity, and authenticity. As our founding Chief Taste Officer, she wasn't merely a guardian of flavors; she became the very heart and soul of Rusingo.
A devout temple-goer, Dr Radha lived by the philosophy "You are what you eat." This belief, combined with her passion for women's financial independence, led to one of Rusingo's core missions: empowering women by providing them opportunities to create authentic South Indian products that meet our exacting standards.
Today, her legacy flourishes in every vegetarian dish we create. Our commitment to maintaining her high-quality standards and preserving authentic South Indian flavors remains unshaken. Through Rusingo, we continue to honor not just her culinary excellence, but also her vision of empowering women and preserving the authenticity of South Indian cuisine.
Sumithra Sen |
Founder
What happens when the soul of a South Indian home kitchen meets the vision of a global entrepreneur? Meet Sumithra, who turned her personal journey of recreating comforting vegetarian meals in the US into the driving force behind Rusingo. Growing up in a home where simple, wholesome cooking was a way of life, she deeply understood the struggle of sourcing quality ingredients and finding time to cook Indian food from scratch while living abroad.
Leaving behind a successful corporate career, she chose a more meaningful path — to build a clean-label brand that offers preservative-free, authentic, and premium Indian food for global Indians. Today, Rusingo is on a mission to bring the taste of home to Indians living abroad, with a commitment to tradition, quality, and care for the community it serves.
Every Rusingo recipe tells a story of heritage, perfected by Sumithra and her talented team to capture the true essence of South Indian cuisine. Her vision, shared with her mother, goes beyond creating exceptional food — it's about building a purposeful brand that enriches communities. Under her leadership, Rusingo consistently innovates while maintaining unwavering quality standards to delight consumers.
Sumithra's commitment to consumer health and establishing Rusingo as a trusted household name is reflected in every dish. She travels extensively with her team across India to taste, curate, and bring to life the essence of Rusingo — the joy of discovering authentic flavors. Through her brand, she creates meaningful employment opportunities while actively supporting causes close to her heart, from helping street dogs to empowering children in need through various charities.
Jagadish Menon |
Strategy Partner
Ask anyone about Mr Menon, and they'll tell you his eyes light up at the mere mention of the perfect idli and vada. For Mr Menon, whose roots trace back to the picturesque town of Nammara in Kerala, the passion for authentic South Indian cuisine runs deep in his veins. His culinary journey began in his mother's kitchen in Kerala, where he would watch in fascination as she prepared traditional dishes with love. These early experiences ignited a lifelong dedication to the art of cooking.
With an insatiable appetite for culinary knowledge, Mr Menon embarked on a global journey, mastering various cuisines while keeping his heart anchored in South Indian traditions.
Today, as Rusingo's trusted partner, Mr Menon masterfully translates authentic Indian food and cherished home recipes into safe, hygienic, and high-quality products at our state-of-the-art facilities. His four decades of food industry experience guide Rusingo's international expansion and strategic growth.
Arindam Sen |
Partner and Advisor
Born in Calcutta and a thorough foodie at heart, Arindam has been one of our earliest supporters, helping us stay focused and aligned with our goals from day one. He wears multiple hats at Rusingo, serving as both an advisory board member and an early investor
With his unmatched expertise as a taste specialist, Arindam ensures that every product reflects authentic flavors and exceptional quality. Under his guidance, Rusingo continues to grow and evolve as a world-class brand.
