Lucky Das 
In the bustling city of Cuttack, Santosh Kumar Sahoo grew up in a low-income joint family, well aware of the hardships that defined his early years. The narrow streets of Cuttack and the packed classrooms of his public school were full of stories of resilience and perseverance. Santosh’s upbringing wasn’t marked by luxury but by a deep, unwavering determination to overcome obstacles.
A Humble Beginning: Education, Struggles, and Responsibility
Santosh’s formative years came at a time when his hometown’s education and healthcare systems were nearly non-existent. Attending a local government school, he quickly realized that the ordinary course of life wouldn’t be enough to change his family’s circumstances. “I was working not only for myself but also for my family. Because of the financial constraints we faced, I had to start earning money to fund my younger brothers’ education,” he recalls.
A Leader’s Perspective: Turning Challenges into Triumphs
Santosh’s journey into the world of technology wasn’t by chance; it was a well-thought-out path. “I have an undergraduate degree in economics and a diploma in computer science,” he shares. His initial career moves were driven by a need to support his family, and his first job was with a private computer company in Chennai. Later, he worked at a training institution in Bhubaneswar, where he began to see IT not just as a profession but as a tool to drive societal change.
These early experiences shaped his curiosity and intellectual growth in the IT field. “Overcoming challenges in this industry wasn’t just possible—it felt destined to be my path,” Santosh reflects.
Building Computer Lab: A Journey of Patience and Perseverance
As the CEO of Computer Lab, Santosh faced numerous challenges. From customer acquisition to competing with global IT giants and even securing unsecured bank loans, the journey was far from easy. But Santosh’s story is one of persistence and resilience. Throughout the 35-year journey of Computer Lab, his leadership became a beacon of patience, perseverance, and unwavering determination.
Under his leadership, the company became a pioneer in Odisha’s IT sector, facing the same challenges that many in the industry encounter but with a unique ability to turn adversity into opportunity.
A Visionary Leader: Empowering Employees and Innovating for the Future
As CEO, Santosh embraced leadership challenges that required him to not only win over customers in a competitive market but also to recruit, retain, and empower talent. He was committed to reorienting the company’s mission around three key principles: employee empowerment, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
Initiatives like an open-door policy, the creation of a green building, and a focus on a strong training culture helped Computer Lab evolve into a company of over 1,000 employees with management teams spread across Odisha and beyond.
Adding Value to Odisha’s IT Ecosystem
Santosh’s contributions extended far beyond the walls of the Computer Lab. His company played a pivotal role in Odisha’s digital transformation, actively participating in the state’s e-governance initiatives. These include projects focused on digitizing land records, court records, NPR and Aadhaar, voter ID cards, the photo electoral roll, the creation of the PDS database and ration card management system, and other citizen services.
Through his efforts, Santosh helped provide job opportunities for rural youth and fostered the growth of IT services, setting standards for startups in the region. “The recognition we’ve received—from the MSME National Award to the Odisha Business Award—validates our commitment to blending technology with social and economic progress,” he proudly states.
Balancing Work and Life: The Man Behind the Success
In today’s fast-paced, competitive world, it’s easy for professionals to lose sight of the importance of work-life balance. However, Santosh has always emphasized maintaining a healthy equilibrium between his professional and personal lives. His approach can be summed up in three simple words: “Stay cool and patient.”
Santosh credits his family—his wife, children, and daughter-in-law—with being the pillars of his success. He attributes much of his drive to their steadfast support and encouragement. For him, building strong social connections and working with people is crucial to both his personal and professional life. “I listen more than I speak,” he explains, stressing the importance of understanding people and cooperating with them when building a successful organization.
The Future: Transforming Odisha into an IT Hub
Santosh has always envisioned transforming Odisha into a leading IT hub. This vision aligns with the state government’s efforts to encourage entrepreneurship, with initiatives like interest subsidies, IT parks, and mega investor summits. Santosh is confident that these measures will position Odisha as a prime destination for IT industry investment.
At Computer Lab, he continues to focus on bringing new technologies to the market, generating employment opportunities, and contributing to the state’s overall economic development. His leadership has raised the bar for IT entrepreneurs in the region, emphasizing the importance of delivering quality services on time, prioritizing employee welfare, investing in research and innovation, and fostering collaboration among governments, businesses, and communities.
Santosh’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: delivering services with dedication, timeliness, and discretion, all while nurturing a strong organizational culture and staying committed to social responsibility.
Through his unwavering vision and tireless work, Santosh Sahoo has not only built a successful company but has also left an indelible mark on Odisha’s IT landscape.
