Patanjali group forays into Nagaland with big investments, 5 professional colleges announced

Naga Republic News

With the clock ticking for the likely announcement of elections in Nagaland, the present State government headed by Chief Minister TR Zeliang on Monday, January 15 announced big ticket investment by Patanjali Ayurved Limited, the fast growing brand of Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev. A series of foundation stones were laid at Punglwa, Peren District with the Chief Minister himself announcing on twitter the projects taken up by Patanjali.

The projects include a Para-Medical and Nursing College, Management College, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Ayurvedic College and Engineering College. Of the five projects announced except for the Engineering College, which is located at Hovukhu, Nuiland the rest of the projects are in Punglwa, under Peren District.

Baba Ramdev speaking during the launch of Ayurvedic College at Punglwa, Peren on January 15, 2018

“Laid foundation stones for 5 Professional Colleges to be taken up by Patanjali Yogpeeth. Gratitude to them for willingness to invest in my State”, stated TR Zeliang in a tweet. The Chief Minister expressed hope that the works on these projects will commence at the earliest.

Patanjali Ayurved Limited founder Baba Ramdev along with close aide Bal Krishna Acharya were present during the programmes to announce these projects.

It may be mentioned that earlier on December 28, 2017, Patanjali Ayurved Limited, a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company had assured to set up a 100-bedded hospital in Dimapur for the differently-able persons and also expressed interest in setting up a university in Nagaland in partnership with the state government and Central government and sanctioned INR 100 cr. towards this project.

Bal Krishna Acharya during the announcement in December 2017 had hinted that Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. will not only set up the 100-bedded hospital for the differently-able persons but will come up with a university or college if their vision gets a positive nod. Without disclosing the location, Acharya had then said that three possible sites have been considered for the projected university in the state and the project will be for the benefit of the society and not for profit.

Claiming Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. to be the second highest FMCG in India, Acharya asserted the company is focusing on farmers taking into account the situation of farmers in India who are not progressive but are still traditional.

Chief Minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang is flanked by Baba Ramdev and Bal Krishna Acharya during the laying of Foundation Stone to various projects on January 15, 2018

According to information in the public domain, Patanjali Ayurved Limited is an Indian FMCG company. Manufacturing units and headquarters are located in the industrial area of Haridwar while the registered office is located at Delhi. The company manufactures mineral and herbal products.

It also has manufacturing units in Nepal under the trademark Nepal Gramudhyog and imports majority of herbs in India from Himalayas of Nepal.

According to CLSA and HSBC, Patanjali is the fastest growing FMCG company in India. It is valued at 30 billion (US$470 million) and some predict revenues of 5,000 crore (US$780 million) for the fiscal 2015–16. Patanjali declared its annual turnover of the year 2016-17 to be estimated 10,216 crore (US$1.6 billion).

Ramdev baba has stated in his interview with CNN-News18 that profit from Patanjali Products goes to charity.

Ramdev established the Patanjali Ayurved Limited in 2006 along with Acharya Balkrishna with the objective of establishing science of Ayurveda in accordance and coordination with the latest technology and ancient wisdom.

Statement from Chief Minister TR Zeliang on investment

Meanwhile in a separate statement Chief Minister TR Zeliang has welcomed the investment.

“Given the dearth of professional institutes in our State, we are fortunate that the Patanjali Yogpeeth is willing to invest in our State”, stated Zeliang and pointing out that this will go a long way in bringing about quality education to Nagaland, which will help our youths to acquire skills and help them find sustainable livelihoods.

Also these Institutions, according to Zeliang, have the potential to become centres of excellence not only in Nagaland but also for the entire North East.

Chief Minister TR Zeliang along with Baba Ramdev and Acharya Bakrishna after the inauguration of the investment projects. Also seen in the picture are cabinet colleagues Azo Nienu, N. Thomas Lotha and Tovihoto Ayemi

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna for what he called “noble gesture and the willingness” to invest and also to N.Thomas Lotha, Advisor H&TE, for the efforts and initiatives taken in bringing Patanjali to the State.

Stating that for a major project, such as this, it would have taken years for even the foundation stones to be laid, Zeliang expressed that this had been done in a very short duration of time. “And these projects have the potential to be a model Public Private Partnership that will create avenues and opportunities for our people. I am optimistic that the necessary minor details will be worked out soon and the works commence at the earliest”.

The CM also expressed gratitude to the Punglwa Village for their magnanimity in giving their land for developmental activities and also Hovukhu village. “With continual support and cooperation of the landowners, I believe, these projects will very soon be taken up and the area in particular and Nagaland in general will flourish in all aspects”, Zeliang stated.

In this regard the CM once again called on the people to be generous and give space and land for any developmental activities. “Major road projects are in the pipeline and for this the landowners need to ensure that development takes place with no hurdles”.

“Let us embrace good investments and take the State forward. Let us together build a better and a prosperous Nagaland. God Bless Nagaland”.