Baba Ramdev enters private security space with 'Parakram Suraksha'
Looks like Baba Ramdev is trying to shift focus from Yoga and Ayurveda. After posing a threat to FMCG giants with Patanjali Ayurved, he is ready to challenge players in the Rs. 40,000cr private security sector. The Yoga guru has launched his own security company 'Parakram Suraksha'. Retired Army and police personnel will train young recruits to work as security guards.
Patanjali Ayurved was founded by Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and his associate Acharya Balkrishna in 2006 and has grown exponentially ever since. It was set up with an aim of establishing Ayurveda in accordance and coordination with ancient wisdom and latest technology. It has become India's third-largest FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) player, surpassing companies like Godrej, Nestle, Britannia, and Dabur.
Following the FMCG success, Patanjali is considering venturing into the restaurant business to challenge MNC restaurant chains like KFC, McDonald's, and Subway. Baba Ramdev said they are working on the business plan and branding to enter the segment soon. Postik, a restaurant in Zirakpur (near Chandigarh) that uses only Patanjali products to promote healthy living, sent a tie-up proposal to Patanjali.
An ASSOCHAM-TechSci Research report stated Patanjali was the biggest disruptive force in India's FMCG sector in 2016. The report noted Patanjali's "peers including ITC, Dabur, Hindustan Unilever, Colgate-Palmolive" struggled to even register double-digit growth figures. While growth rate for most FMCG players ranged between 8-12%, Patanjali posted Rs. 10,561cr in sales in 2016-17, a jump of over 100% from Rs. 5,000cr in 2015-16.
According to Baba Ramdev, Patanjali Ayurved would begin manufacturing textiles soon. Recently, he said they will enter the dairy sector and cross the Rs. 5 lakh crore mark by 2022. The firm entered the power generation sector too; it is working on generating electricity using bulls. Baba Ramdev also revealed his plans to foray into the beauty industry by producing lipsticks.
Launching the security firm, Ramdev stated: "Patanjali has sensitized people towards yoga, Ayurveda, and Swadeshi (products). Our aim is to now inspire a sense of security among individuals and resolve to work towards the protection of our country."
Parakram Suraksha is aimed at instilling "patriotic fervor among youngsters" and creating an ambiance "conducive" for the trainees' physical and mental development. It will offer security solutions to Patanjali's centers/institutes as well as corporate offices, shopping malls, and individuals. The first 100 recruits have been undergoing training in Haridwar for over a month. It would open its units across India by 2017-end.
