Early Life
Acharya Balkrishna was born on August 4, 1972, in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India, to Nepalese immigrant parents. His childhood was spent in Nepal before returning to India to study at the Khanpur Gurukul in Haryana. There, he met Baba Ramdev, with whom he would later co-found Patanjali Ayurved.
Rise to Success
Balkrishna co-founded the Divya Yoga Mandir Trust in 1995, which aimed to promote yoga and Ayurveda. In 2006, he co-founded Patanjali Ayurved with Baba Ramdev. Patanjali Ayurved quickly gained popularity, offering a wide range of Ayurvedic products. Balkrishna's leadership was instrumental in the company's rapid growth, making it a leading FMCG brand in India.
Key Business Strategies
Patanjali Ayurved's success can be attributed to several key strategies. The company focused on affordable, herbal, and ayurvedic products, appealing to a broad consumer base. Balkrishna's insistence on maintaining a 'rural' image for the products also bolstered consumer trust. Patanjali has also entered into joint ventures with foreign companies and exports products to countries like the US and Canada.
Philanthropy
Beyond business, Acharya Balkrishna is involved in philanthropy, focusing on causes like education, healthcare, and rural development. He has donated to organizations such as the Ramdev Foundation and the Ayurvedic Research Institute, and continues to support initiatives that drive social impact.