Global IndianstoryThe Chaipreneuers bringing Indian tea to the world

The Chaipreneuers bringing Indian tea to the world

Written by: Global Indian

(Our Bureau, May 21) Indians love their chai and tea exports have created many successful business ventures for decades. But a new breed of entrepreneurs have stepped in to blend technology with tea sourcing and quicken the supply process to ensure tea lovers globally get their first cup within days of production. Meet three Indian startups that are brewing success by redefining tea exports.

Teabox: Kausshal Dugarr-founded Teabox eliminated middlemen and cut down the travel time between the produce and the end consumer from a minimum of five months to a few days. Backed by investors such as Accel Partners and corporate stalwarts like Ratan Tata, Siliguri-based Teabox has sold over two billion cups across 120 countries.

VAHDAM: Founded in 2015 by then 23-year-old Bala Sarda, VAHDAM sells its superfood teas, drinkware and elixirs in 104 countries, raking in a turnover of ₹159 crore. Its clientele includes celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Mariah Carey, Martha Stewart, and Chris Prat.

Udyan Tea: Three friends — Punit Poddar, Parvez Gupta and Soveet Gupta — started Udayan as an online brand when tea e-tailing was virtually unheard of. Today, they source teas directly from more than 150 estates in India and Nepal and export to over 40 countries.

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Published on 16, Jun 2021

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Shriyans Bhandari and Ramesh Dhami: Helping solve footwear wastage with a sustainable brand

(October 23, 2023) Being an athlete, Shriyans Bhandari developed a passion for long-distance running during his NCC days. An activity that helps him escape to a meditative state of mind. While training under Savio D'Souza during his second year at Jai Hind College, he met Ramesh Dhami, a runner who came from a humble background. "For him running was his life, and he didn't want to throw away his worn-out pair of shoes and was trying to mend them. He eventually converted his old shoes into chappals by retaining the soles," says Shriyans, adding that it stayed with him for long, and this incident gave life to the idea of Greensole. A sustainable footwear startup that earned Shriyans and his co-founder Ramesh a place in the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list and a winning position at the recent G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance Summit 2023. Coming from a family that runs hotels in Udaipur, Shriyans always knew that he wasn't meant for a 9-5 job and was keen to start something of his own. The idea struck him during his college days after his chance encounter with Ramesh, whom he invited to join an innovators competition as he was keen

9-5 job and was keen to start something of his own. The idea struck him during his college days after his chance encounter with Ramesh, whom he invited to join an innovators competition as he was keen to pitch the idea of Greensole. "Upon research, I found that over 300 million shoes each year make it to landfills but there is no clear solution. So, I came up with the idea of refurbishing shoes, and this was the beginning of Greensole," Shriyans tells Global Indian. In no time, Greensole, launched in 2015, started to make an impact as lakhs of discarded shoes got another lease of life. "We were among the top 30 innovators in India," reveals Shriyans, who earned his master's degree in leadership from Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business.

Championing two causes - footwear wastage and environment preservation

What began as an idea to preserve the environment by cutting down on carbon print by refurbishing shoes soon took the shape of a campaign that helped lakhs of children across the country who didn't have adequate footwear. "It began with a drive at Priyadarshani Park in Mumbai where thousands of people brought in their old shoes, and we turned them into slippers for children," says Shriyans. The soles of the shoes are used for the slippers, and the uppers are upcycled into slipper straps, thus giving old shoes a second life. However, starting refurbishing at a time when sustainability wasn't a trend was an uphill task for the co-founders of Greensole. "We were also learning a lot in the process, as it was something very new. Even if you would search online, you couldn't find much information," he adds. Being a novel concept, Shriyans was skeptical if people would be interested in buying refurbished footwear, so they began by donating shoes to underprivileged children through the help of CSR. "We kept using the same model for the next four to five years."

In those initial years, Greensole became a talking point. "It was a novel innovation that had not happened in India before. Suddenly, we went viral. We grew from working with 1 corporate to 35 corporates without spending a single penny on marketing for the first five years," reveals the social entrepreneur. The growing trust of the corporates helped in making a bigger impact. "From upcycling 50 pairs of shoes a day to now we have moved onto upcycling 3 lakh pairs a year."

Sustainability - the need of the hour

Over the years, Greensole understood that donation couldn't be the only way for the social enterprise going forward, so they diversified, and forayed into upcycling shoes and apparel, along with launching their vegan footwear brand. "We have now shifted to our sustainable material (made from plant-based material) and sustainable retail. So if you are buying a sustainable shoe, you are contributing to a social cause as well as helping preserve the environment."

In pursuit of a more sustainable and environment friendly world, Greensole has come up with its plant-based material which Shriyans says has "the potential to replace synthetic leather." With the world progressing steadily towards sustainability, the ongoing changes will become increasingly prominent in the coming years. However, this wasn't the case a few years ago. When the startup ventured into sustainability in 2015, people didn't understand veganism. "By 2019, there were a handful but the number was still very low. Now, people do understand sustainable and vegan but people don't want to pay extra at this time." However, Shriyans points out that the change of perception has begun in metros where a handful of people still choose sustainable shoes. "Most of our orders come from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru. Awareness is a lot in these cities. Because of Neeman's (a brand that popularised vegan shoes across the globe), people have got to understand vegan shoes and sustainability, and now almost all brands are catching up on the trend. However, we have been ahead of the trend always."

Greensole | Global Indian

Amplifying the impact

Greensole was way ahead of its time, and the co-founders knew that selling a new concept would be challenging. "We didn't say we were doing something new, we said we were doing good for the planet." Since they kept innovating and adding new layers to the startup, Greensole "had to never fight for survival." "If we stick around for another five years, we have the potential of becoming a household name," adds Shriyans, who is creating an impact with Greensole. "Till now, we have donated six lakh pairs of slippers. So, we ended up saving that number of shoes from making it to the landfill by giving them a second life along with saving tonnes of carbon emissions. In the process, we have also created job opportunities with each pair has is being refurbished along with jobs in the retail."

However, Covid-19 pushed Greensole to think of a new strategy to keep the startup afloat as depending solely on corporates wasn't cutting the deal for them. "It was a learning curve for me, so we started to make our presence felt online. A big brand from Germany reached out to us, and that's how we ventured into materials. I realised it's important to have solid planning in place and one should never stop innovating."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z95jJk06VZQ

In the last eight years, Greensole has disrupted the footwear industry in India with bigger brands now venturing into sustainable footwear. "It's been a challenging journey but at the same time rewarding," says Shriyans, who loves travelling and catching up with his friends. Being a torchbearer in the industry, Shriyans is happy to see the change take place. "People are now becoming conscious and adopting the sustainable approach in their lifestyle," he says, adding more people will adopt sustainability shortly. "People will become more aware and most of the shoes available in the market will be sustainable. Also, in the coming years, India will reach a leadership position. In the next decade or so, India will be at the top, and will be recognised as a leader as it will open more and better opportunities."

Follow Greensole on their website
Follow Shriyans Bhandari on LinkedIn
Follow Ramesh Dhami on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 min

Nishant Malhotra: Reviving GI-tagged textile heritage and celebrating artisans with WeaverStory

(August 13, 2024) “As children of the pre-digital era, we have all grown up in homes and environments that have been driven by tradition. From food to craft and clothing, everything had a story and was a hand-worked skill passed through generations, be it the chutneys that were made at home or the sweaters that were knit. So there always was an inclination towards culture and the traditions of the past,” Nishant Malhotra reminisces as he connects with Global Indian. Although he was always fascinated by India’s luxurious heritage and traditions, he had never imagined that he would one day work with it. After spending several years in the banking and finance sectors, Nishant Malhotra founded WeaverStory nine years ago, finding both purpose and an avenue for social impact. [caption id="attachment_53617" align="aligncenter" width="482"] Nishant Malhotra at WeaverStory curated runway show at BNI4M2024 event[/caption] Led by artisans The craft-led textile brand has come a long way. Launched with just five sarees on a Facebook page, WeaverStory has grown into a 30-member team working with over 400 weavers from 10 different weaving clusters. “This transformation has significantly improved the lives of weavers and their families and enhanced the experiences of our customers

="aligncenter" width="482"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian Nishant Malhotra at WeaverStory curated runway show at BNI4M2024 event[/caption]

Led by artisans

The craft-led textile brand has come a long way. Launched with just five sarees on a Facebook page, WeaverStory has grown into a 30-member team working with over 400 weavers from 10 different weaving clusters. “This transformation has significantly improved the lives of weavers and their families and enhanced the experiences of our customers spread across more than 20 countries," tells the entrepreneur.

Whether it is the famed yarns of Banaras, the vibrant hues of Gujarat, the ethereal threads of Chanderi, intricate works of Kashmir, poetic weaves of Bengal, or resplendent silks of Kanchipuram - WeaverStory has been championing authentic handmade products like luxurious sarees and fabric, bespoke occasion wear, bridal couture and accessories blending tradition with modernity.

GI certified handloom

The textile brand’s products are silk mark and craft mark-certified with GI tags. It has been participating in the Government of India’s ODOP (One District One Product) initiative which aims to promote indigenous and specialised goods and crafts distinct to various districts across the country. “WeaverStory sources 350 products from over 19 Geographical Indications (GIs), thus ensuring genuine handloom apparel from the craftspeople who bring them to life.”

The hand weaved textiles are delivered through retail stores in Delhi and Hyderabad and the brand’s website. It also retails online through domestic and international marketplaces such as Pernia’s Pop Up Shop, Aza, Aashni + Co., Nykaa Fashion and Etsy.

[caption id="attachment_53634" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian One of the WeaverStory stores[/caption]

The journey of transition

As a banking and financial services professional, Nishant often travelled to rural areas and smaller cities in India, working on financial inclusion projects. These experiences exposed him to not only the challenges faced by the local population but also to the complexities of implementing programs to benefit them.

“I realised that even small steps could have a significant impact on their lives and it was this thought that drove me to start WeaverStory after a trip to Banaras that proved pivotal in the transition,” tells the Delhi based entrepreneur.

Starting small

In Banaras, Nishant met a weaver who had been forced to quit his craft due to low income and the pressure of supporting his family. Instead of engaging in his creative work, the weaver was folding sarees at a retail shop. This deeply moved Nishant. Upon his return to Delhi, he began conversing with others to understand the market need for Indian handlooms – the artistic heritage of India.

“I discovered that there was a demand for handloom products, but people were unaware of authentic sources,'” he says. This realisation led him to start a small initiative by creating a Facebook page, where he showcased five well-crafted saris by a weaver of Banaras to help people appreciate the value of craftsmanship of the weaving community.

Within months, his initiative started gaining recognition, motivating Nishant to leave his job and pursue social entrepreneurship. He had found the purpose of creating better opportunities for the artistic weavers of India and making a difference in their lives.

[caption id="attachment_53625" align="aligncenter" width="687"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian WeaverStory team[/caption]

“It started as a mere passion project with no intention of launching a full-fledged brand. However, that small step transformed everything, leading us to where we are today,” says Nishant who had over 15 years of corporate experience with Fortune 500 companies and biggest conglomerates like the TATAs and Reliance group at the time of stepping into social entrepreneurship. “Through WeaverStory my attempt has been to bridge the gap between true fans of original Indian handlooms and those with a century-long lineage in this artistic heritage. We work towards preserving our heritage and enabling weavers to become financially successful,” he says.

Rising above challenges and earning trust

In the initial days of his venture gaining the trust of the weavers was a challenge. “Coming from a banking background with no experience in textiles, I wasn’t attempting to become a designer. My goal was to create an ecosystem around handlooms. However, understanding the craftsmanship, the uniqueness of handwoven fabric, and effectively communicating with the weavers required substantial knowledge,” Nishant mentions.

When he approached weavers, they were sceptical. “They doubted my understanding of their craft and feared their products would be rejected after completion.” An online brand, was an unconventional idea in 2015, especially for the rural weavers for whom trade meant an offline activity.

To alleviate their fears Nishant started work on the model of buying products outright from the weavers addressing their concerns. “By ensuring immediate and fair compensation, we gradually earned their trust and overcame their initial resistance,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_53624" align="aligncenter" width="523"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian A Madhubani artist associated with WeaverStory[/caption]

Assuring quality

Earning the trust of the weavers was just one side of the story. Nishant highlights that when purchasing a premium product like a handwoven saree, customers seek assurance about their investment. Therefore, early in their journey, the WeaverStory team began conducting video calls with customers to showcase the products in detail, thereby earning their trust as well.

“At WeaverStory, our values of purity, pride, and intention have always been at the core of everything we do. We have consistently strived to present our customers with a curated collection of authentic weaves in pure fabrics that best represent India’s textile heritage and the skills of our weavers,” the entrepreneur mentions.

Weaving stories

To bring the stories of the rural weavers to the forefront and change the narrative in their favour Nishant Malhotra and his team does not just look at them as mere suppliers of products that they are marketing but provide the weaving community a sense of close collaboration. “This outlook is one of the major factors contributing to our growth story,” says Nishant.

“Our product curation and storytelling are deeply influenced by the intentions and narratives of the weavers, and we make it a point not to interfere with their stories. The authentic stories behind each weave is what attracts our customers; and they want to buy, own, and cherish these unique pieces of art.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_QW-F7l3Yk

WeaverStory Foundation

Recently, the entrepreneur has started the WeaverStory Foundation, which will undertake projects aimed at providing sustainable livelihoods and skill development for weavers, with a special focus on women artisans. “We are actively seeking and collaborating with like-minded partners to further this mission,” Nishant points out.

Awards galore

The textile brand has instituted several reward and recognition programs, such as Kala Nishtha, Kala Samridhi and Craftales to encourage lesser-known and new weavers to look at their skills with more optimism and be part of the WeaverStory network.

“These initiatives help create visibility for them, especially among their peers and within their communities, where weaving is often seen as a low-paying job.”

In the WeaverStory model, the products are purchased outright from the weavers. “WeaverStory ensures that weavers are paid fair market prices that account for the scale and input while keeping the product competitive. This approach rewards the weavers for their skill, time, and labour,” Nishant says.

[caption id="attachment_53627" align="aligncenter" width="723"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian Naseem Bano (extreme right) is one of the weavers that WeaverStory works with to upskill village women artisans[/caption]

New Initiative - Revival collection of Venkatagiri sarees

On the occasion of National Handloom Day which falls on 7th August and coincides with WeaverStory’s foundation day, the textile brand launched a revival collection of Venkatagiri Sarees.

“Venkatagiri was once known for its fine-count cotton sarees with gold khaadi borders woven on a traditional pit loom. It held a place of pride in Andhra’s handloom traditions. However, with the advent of the power loom, the decline in the value of cotton, and a shift in market demand that leaned towards Banarasi, Kanchipuram and Paithani styles, the weavers of Venkatgiri lost touch with their traditional design language and eventually met with flagging patronage and diminished popularity,” informs Nishant.

For the past several months, WeaverStory has been working with Tata Trusts’ Antaran to revive the lost designs of the Venkatagiri cluster. The textile brand has launched a collection of sarees with four archival designs that have not been woven in over 70 years. “The aim is to rekindle significant market interest in this historic craft and give saree connoisseurs across the world a piece of heritage to own,” says the entrepreneur who works with the vision of promoting the exquisite craft of handweaving, ensuring its legacy continues to thrive.

[caption id="attachment_53637" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian Nishant Malhotra with Mridula and Parvez Alam from Tata Trusts during the unveiling of Venkatagiri Revival Project[/caption]

Follow Nishant Malhotra on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram
Follow WeaverStory on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and its website

Reading Time: 5 mins

Mafat Patel: Building the Patel Brothers empire

(October 22, 2022) When Mafat Patel left home at the age of 23, back in the year 1968, his mother wept to see him go. Mafat had grown up sheltered, spending his childhood on a farm in a village named Bhandu, in Gujarat's Mehsana district. The farthest from home he had ever been was the neighbouring district of Patan, where he earned himself a degree in Mechanical Engineering. When a friend, who had just returned from the US, asked Mafat's father to consider sending his son, the old man jumped on the idea. As did Mafat. And so, in 1968, Mafat arrived in the United States of America, where he studied in Ohio. Global Indian takes a look at the story of Mafat Patel, his brother Tulsi and his sister-in-law Aruna and how they built the Patel Brothers grocery empire. There was no inkling then, in the minds of his family, or even in the farthest reaches of Mafat's own imagination, that he would go on to build an empire in America. Recently, as I chatted with a friend about the years she spent living in Hoboken, New Jersey, her mother demanded: "Did you tell her about the Patel Brothers

empire in America. Recently, as I chatted with a friend about the years she spent living in Hoboken, New Jersey, her mother demanded: "Did you tell her about the Patel Brothers supermarkets?" The chain of Indian grocery stores is an absolute go-to for every South Asian in New York, Chicago and Atlanta, a thriving business worth over $140 million. Mafat Patel, now in his seventies, still walks through the aisles, meeting his customers and addressing many by name as they sip on steaming chai or order hot chapatis.

After his business degree, Mafat moved to Chicago, where he had been offered a job in quality control at Jefferson Electric. "When I came here, there weren't too many Indian families. We were two roommates from India, here together. Both of us were vegetarian and it was difficult to eat. We would cook on our own." Although he had a good job and lived a comfortable life, Chicago just wasn't home. The already overwhelming loneliness was only heightened by the fact that he didn't have the one thing for which he wanted most - a hot, home-cooked Indian meal. "He would talk about how difficult it was, to come home in the cold and the rain on the bus and think, now what do we do about dinner," said a friend of Mafat, Ramesh Vitha, in an interview.

[caption id="attachment_30969" align="aligncenter" width="648"] Mafat Patel[/caption]

The Devon storefront

In 1971, Mafat's wife and children joined him in America. That year, he received an offer from a businessman named Ramesh Trivedi, who had a storefront on Devon Avenue that he was looking to sell. It was a dilapidated place but Mafat, whose business acumen kicked in instantly, leapt on the opportunity. He wanted to open an Indian grocery store. Mafat got in touch with his brother, Tulsi and his wife, Aruna, who left Gujarat and joined him in America.

In 1974, they got things up and running. "We started a small grocery store, in an 800 sq foot space," Mafat said, in a 2018 episode of Zee TV's Those Who Made It. "I was working and my brother was running the store. We did two shifts and Aruna was working from 10 am to 10 pm." Mafat's wife handled the domestic affairs and making sure the home ran smoothly. "If it wasn't for Aruna, we wouldn't be here right now. She was controlling the business then. We were two brothers and two sisters, all living together. We would stick together and worked very hard." Mafat would arrive at the store after work, interviewing suppliers late into the night. Early the next morning, he would go back to the office.

Cultivating relationships

The Indian diaspora was miniscule, limited to around 150 families. "We opened the store and would go one or two days without a single customer," Tulsi Patel said, in 'Those Who Made It'. They held things together, though, with impeccable customer service. Tulsi would carry huge bags of groceries in cloth bags and deliver them to customers. "There were about 150 families and whenever they called, even if they were 10 miles away, we would go, in rain or snow. That's how we maintained relationships," said Mafat. Tulsi recalls, "Even if it was after 10 pm, I would make the trip, up to the third floor, just to deliver milk."

They genuinely cared for their customers and that held them in good stead. Moreover, Mafat Patel was a far-sighted man - he predicted, correctly, that in 20 or 30 or even 40 years, there would be a lot more Indians in America and that they would need groceries.

As the business grew, Patel Bros needed external funding. That came from Ramesh Ajawani, a banker, whom the brothers still count among their closest friends. "He was still working as an engineer and trying to get a foothold in Indian groceries," Ramesh said. "He said he had high energy levels, could work 24/7 and had a lot of passion for what he wanted to do. I liked his entrepreneurial attributes and we started doing a lot more."

By 1976, Mafat recalls, they started expanding the business. "We bought another supermarket in Chicago. In 1977, we built other stores on Devon Avenue. In 1981, we went to Atlanta and a year later, to New York. Then the whole family came and we had lots of hands." Mafat stayed with his day job for 16 years, finally quitting in 1985 to devote himself full time to the import/export business. Patel Bros had arrived, bringing Indian grocery stores into the mainstream, to compete with mega stores like Walmart.

The next generation

Today, the reins are held largely by Mafat's son Swetal and his nephew, Rakesh. Swetal Patel was born to Mafat Patel and his wife in Chicago, growing up in a family of 10. Although business was thriving, life wasn't always easy for Swetal, Indians were still decidedly a minority in the US. Like most immigrants growing up in a foreign country, he struggled to balance two identities - the America he saw every day at school and the close-knit, Gujarati joint family to which he returned every day. He didn't want to carry Indian food for lunch every day, because of how it smelled, according to Intertwined Cultures.

Every day after school, all the Patel children would help out with the family business. As his American peers went home to a PBJ and chocolate milk, Swetal Patel helped his parents make bhel puri. Evenings and weekends were spent bagging groceries, talking to customers, sweeping floors and loading and unloading goods. He recalls helping customers wheel their grocery carts in winter, winding his way through the snow. Back home, his mother continued to hold the fort, keeping meals ready for the ever-growing family and for the stream of guests and visiting relatives.

[caption id="attachment_30966" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Swetal and Rakesh Patel[/caption]

Today, Patel Bros is every bit the organised supermarket. Back when Swetal lent a hand, though, the place was chaos. Even that lack of organisation held a sense of Indian-ness, the smell of spices pervading through the cloth bags, all stacked along the shelves as customers stood around and pointed to what they wanted. Every morning at 10 am, the store would open with an hour of 'bhajans'.

Branching out

They have thriving stores in 51 locations across America and the Patel Brothers haven't stopped there. They also own Patel Air Tours, Sahil, a clothing boutique for Indian weddings, Patel Handicrafts and Patel Cafe. In 1991, they also launched Raja Foods, a Patel Brothers subsidiary, which offers readymade foods like chapatis and samosas.

Much of their success, they will readily admit, comes from remaining connected to Indian family values. A large section of their employees still comprises members of the family. "I have brought more than 350 families here and they are all well-to-do," Mafat said, in the Those Who Made It episode. The families come there, learn the trade and in time, Mafat will help them set up their own store.

"Whatever you get in India, you will get in Patel Brothers," Mafat smiles. "People from everywhere come to Devon Avenue or New York and say, 'let's go see the Patel Brothers'. Asian immigrants know their needs will be met in a single store. We are essentially grocers. From ingredients like turmeric and red chilli powder, to snacks like khakras, gathias and theplas, we are a truly Indian brand and cater to almost all NRIs in the US."

Illinois University alum Shashi Kumar is revolutionising the dairy industry in India

(August 21, 2022) What is the most innovative marketing tactic that you have heard? I came across one a few days ago during my interaction with dairy pioneer Akshayakalpa Farms and Food's CEO, Shashi Kumar. An avid chess player, Shashi would go to chess tournaments in Bengaluru during the company's initial days and give free milk samples to all the participants to market his products. Later, the entrepreneur even started organising chess tournaments, to give a boost to both the game and his product. Interestingly, their brand ambassador is Grandmaster Nihal Sarin. [caption id="attachment_28249" align="aligncenter" width="641"] Shashi Kumar, entrepreneur[/caption] Although many were not sure if Shashi was doing the right thing by leaving his well-paying job in the US and starting over in India, his dedication and hard work have made Akshayakalpa India’s first and the biggest certified organic milk company. "We do sales of about Rs 14 crore every month and most of our customers contact us via our app. When I and my partners started the company, we made a promise to never bribe any official and create an ethical and sustainable business model. I am very proud that we have been able to do that," shares Shashi

rtified organic milk company. "We do sales of about Rs 14 crore every month and most of our customers contact us via our app. When I and my partners started the company, we made a promise to never bribe any official and create an ethical and sustainable business model. I am very proud that we have been able to do that," shares Shashi as he connects with Global Indian over a video call.

A farmer-turned-engineer

Born in a farming family, Shashi has always loved being in nature. However, while he enjoyed working on the farm, his father was determined to send Shashi to a city. "Farmers do not earn well, and my father also had to stop farming after a while because the income was not so good. So, he encouraged me to do engineering and leave our village," shares Shashi.

Motivated by his father, Shashi pursued a bachelor's in software engineering from Bangalore University and later went to the United State of America to pursue a master's from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. A specialised telecommunication engineer, Shashi soon joined Wipro Technologies. "It was a whole new world for me - so much to do, and so much to learn. Since I was a dedicated employee, my company rewarded me generously as well," shares the entrepreneur. However, despite having a great job and loving family there was something amiss, which always bothered Shashi.

[caption id="attachment_28250" align="aligncenter" width="666"] Entrepreneur | Shashi Kumar | Global Indian Akshayakalpa farm[/caption]

"It is difficult to cut off from one's roots completely. I loved farming and wanted to return to it, however, didn't know what to do about it. Incidentally, I had other friends in the US who also wanted to return to the country, but found it difficult to come back," informs Shashi. However, as they - where there is a will, there is a way. While his friends couldn't return to India, they decided to support Shashi in his endeavours. The entrepreneur left his 17-year job at Wipro in 2010 to return to India to explore opportunities in the dairy industry. "My father was not too pleased with my decision. When I told him about my plans to start Akshayakalpa, he told me, 'Are you going to feed me, or will I have to feed you," laughs Shashi.

Taking the less travelled road

That the dairy industry can be a profitable avenue to invest in is no secret. However, Shashi did not want to do this the easy way by bribing officials and compromising the quality of his product - a principle he still swears by. "I started surveying around 200 villages around Bengaluru and found that most farmers have left villages and work menial jobs in bigger cities. So, I decided to approach one farmer from one village and help him run his business successfully. Incidentally, I didn't have to look far. I found 20 auto-drivers in Bengaluru who were once farmers, and convinced them to give our sustainable dairy model a try," he shares.

[caption id="attachment_28253" align="aligncenter" width="626"] Entrepreneur | Shashi Kumar | Global Indian Shashi Kumar with Grandmaster Nihal Sarin[/caption]

But what is a sustainable dairy model? "It’s one where the farmer doesn't have to rely on any chemicals or pesticides. We ask farmers to start with dairy, as that can help them with daily cash flows. Cow-dung also works as a natural fertiliser for the soil, so it’s a win-win situation,” he quips. Once the farmer has a daily cash flow, the Akshayakalpa team introduced fodder into the existing operation so that farmer is not reliant to buy that from outside. "This also helps in producing organic and good quality milk that can be later sold in the market. We have very strict quality control on what farmers feed their cattle and how they are kept. We do timely inspections to ensure that those parameters are met. Meanwhile, the farmer can start cultivating any other crop on their land."

What started with 20 people is a happy family of 700 today. Shashi and his team have been able to not only help the farmers build a successful business model, but also restore the soil health in the villages they worked in. The company collects milk at various centres across Karanataka and after carefully processing and packaging it, distributes the product to about 10,000 houses in southern states every morning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS86CM17I_c

However, Shashi is not just the CEO of India's fastest-growing agricultural company. This FIDE-rated chess player loves to take part in tournaments from time to time. A vocal environmentalist, Shashi has also been dedicating time towards tree plantation drives. "I am also actively involved with several initiatives like recycling plastics generated from milk packets, and a tree plantation drive that includes adopting a two km stretch every year to plant as many saplings there as possible. I continue to tend to these saplings for at least four years," shares Shashi as he logs off.

Follow Akshayakalpa on LinkedIn and Twitter

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Punit Pandey: Merging India’s ancient Vedic wisdom with cloud technology and AI

(October 26, 2024) The global astrology market, valued at $12.8 billion in 2021, is projected to reach $22.8 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2022 to 2031, according to Allied Market Research. Meanwhile, a joint report by FICCI and Ernst & Young forecasts the Indian astrology market to reach ₹50,000 crores (USD 6.5 billion) by 2025. As a visionary at the intersection of technology and astrology, with over two decades of experience in the IT industry, Punit Pandey recognized the potential in this market early on. During his career as an IT professional in the US, he worked for an IT firm with major clients like Boeing and the US Army. Eventually, he decided to fully commit to his passion for entrepreneurship and astrology, and hence made the decision to return to India to focus on expanding his technology-based astrology platform, which until then had just been a hobby. AstroSage, a leading digital astrology platform and Punit Pandey’s brainchild, has taken astrology beyond borders. “With more than one million daily active users, 50 million downloads, and over half a million astrologers, AstroSage is reaching a threshold few Indian tech products have achieved. Unlike many apps that

and over half a million astrologers, AstroSage is reaching a threshold few Indian tech products have achieved. Unlike many apps that rely on cash burn, our growth has been organic - driven by word of mouth. People love AstroSage because it provides real value, similar to how WhatsApp and Instagram grew through recommendations,” Punit shared with Global Indian, adding “This is just the beginning. With AI at our platform’s core, we’re shaping the future of astrology, bringing it closer to millions worldwide."

[caption id="attachment_58643" align="aligncenter" width="763"] Indian entrepreneur | Punit Pandey | Global Indian Punit during his days in the U.S.[/caption]

Vedic astrology – India’s spiritual soft power

Astrology in India, known as 'Vedic astrology' or 'Jyotish,' is part of the country’s ancient Vedic sciences, rooted in the sacred texts of Hinduism. It is based on the belief that celestial positions influence human affairs and natural events.

Globally, Vedic astrology has become a significant part of India’s soft power, alongside practices like yoga and Ayurveda. It has contributed to the worldwide fascination with Indian traditions, spirituality, and wellness practices. Astrotech platforms are amplifying the reach of this ancient science by integrating it with modern technology, showcasing India’s ability to blend tradition with innovation.

Merging Vedic science with AI

The Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of AstroSage, Punit has introduced services like AstroSage Cloud, the first cloud-based solution for astrology, and AI-powered Astrology Avatars.

Established in 2011, his cloud platform connects astrologers in even the smallest towns with clients on the other side of the world, opening doors to opportunities that were once unimaginable. “Today, we have users in several countries,” says Punit, whose astrotech startup is widely recognized for revolutionizing astrology through AI and digital transformation.

“Companies like OpenAI, creators of ChatGPT, developed Large Language Models (LLMs) primarily trained on past data, which struggle with calculations,” he remarks. Punit's challenge was to create models that not only foresee the future but also perform calculations and interpret them as a human astrologer would - a feat he successfully scaled.

From hobby to full-fledged venture

For Punit Pandey, AstroSage began as a hobby - a project driven by his curiosity about what he could achieve in India’s traditional Vedic sciences with the help of technology. This led him to create the Mobile Kundli app in 2001. “At that time, mobile apps were a far-off concept for most people in India. To put it in context, the iPhone wasn’t launched until 2007, and the App Store came in 2009. Yet, here we were, launching India’s first consumer mobile app in 2001, followed by the first cloud-based solution in 2003,” he remarks.

[caption id="attachment_58644" align="aligncenter" width="777"] Indian entrepreneur | Punit Pandey | Global Indian Punit during his days in the U.S.[/caption]

In 2002-2003, as cloud technology and SaaS began emerging, he envisioned a cloud solution for astrology. He was working in the U.S. at that time. “No one in India was thinking about cloud software back then, especially not in astrology,” says the astrotech entrepreneur, who wanted a solution that didn’t require installation on each machine - something accessible anywhere, anytime, where updates could be rolled out instantly.

“I uploaded the solution to the astrosage.com domain. A few weeks later, I checked Google Analytics and was amazed to see the traffic surging. That’s when I realized I had created something viral,” he recounts talking about the days when he delved into astrology and astrotech as a hobby.

Around this time, Google launched AdSense, allowing websites to generate revenue. Soon, he was earning enough to sustain himself without a day job. “I had always dreamt of creating a global product from India, and AstroSage gave me that chance. So, I chose to follow my dream and return to India to build something transformative," remarks the entrepreneur, who is also the founder of Ojas VR Studios, a company that has produced several virtual reality games.

As an early starter, he launched the first AI astrology app, Bhrigoo.ai, in 2017. “I believe my knack for spotting emerging tech trends and turning them into products set us apart. We were early movers, and our perseverance and focus on innovation allowed these products to succeed.”

Interest in astrology since childhood

Although Punit Pandey pursued a stable career in the IT sector after completion of his studies from the Agra University, his journey with astrology began much earlier. Around the age of 10 or 12, he stumbled upon some astrology books at a small bookshop while growing up in UP's Auraiya. With a natural aptitude for mathematics, he found astrology surprisingly easy to grasp. The more he learned, the more he felt that astrology could hold the key to making the world a happier, more prosperous place.

“I'm certainly not the first to believe this - Indian sages recognized it thousands of years ago, which is why Jyotish is one of the six Vedangas, or limbs of the Vedas. Being part of the lineage of Sage Bhrigu, the author of the Bhrigu Samhita, it feels like destiny led me to this path,” he remarks.

Indian Entrepreneur | Punit Pandey | Global Indian

Embracing regional languages to scale technology's reach

It’s all been part of a continuous journey. He launched the Mobile Kundli app in Hindi back in 2001 - a time when 'vernacular' wasn’t even a buzzword. No one had created a Hindi app before, and Palm OS, the operating system he used, didn’t even support Hindi, so he developed custom fonts to make it work. “Today, we’re proud to offer our services in more than 10 Indian languages, both on web and mobile,” he shares.

But it isn’t just about the Mobile Kundli app. The initial AstroSage Cloud version that he was toying with as a hobby was also multilingual. From the beginning, Punit understood that reaching the masses meant embracing regional languages.

The next frontier - AGI for deeply personal insights

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is an advanced concept of AI aimed to mimic human cognitive abilities. Unlike current AI, which is limited to specific tasks, AGI would have the versatility to understand, learn, and perform a wide range of activities across various domains autonomously. It aims to achieve general, human-like intelligence, allowing it to adapt and solve complex problems independently. While AGI remains a future goal, Puneet, always an early starter, is keen on adapting this technology to further enhance his platform's capabilities. "It would be a step towards understanding not only the stars but also an individual’s life story. Imagine an astrologer who truly knows you, grows with you, and understands your unique context and experiences!"

“It would be like having a wise companion always by your side. It would bring empathy, intuition, and intelligence into astrology, transforming it from static predictions into a dynamic, evolving relationship,” he explains.

Looking ahead – From AstroSage Cloud to AstroSage AI

“With AstroSage Cloud, we reached 50 million downloads; with AstroSage AI, we aim to reach 500 million downloads—something no Indian app has achieved organically. If we succeed, our only rivals will be the giants like YouTube and Instagram. We are on the verge of creating the first true global tech product from India, and the journey has just begun,” he signs off.

Indian Entrepreneur | AstroSage | Global Indian

With ambitious goals and expanding user bases, astrotech is emerging as a unique segment in India’s tech landscape, led by entrepreneurs like Punit Pandey. As platforms like AstroSage harness AI, cloud computing, and mobile connectivity, they’re transforming traditional astrology into a modern and scalable service accessible to users worldwide. This sector’s rapid growth signals a new era where technology enables personal insights and guidance, making astrology a digital-first, accessible experience, regardless of where a person is in the world.

Follow Punit Pandey on LinkedIn

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