AFZAL HUSSAIN FAUJI | Nainital
At a time when many from the urban and rural areas of Uttarakhand continue to migrate to bigger cities for employment or higher paying jobs, a Nainital resident left a well-paying job in the corporate sector to develop an organic tea brand and now sells tea in 22 flavours.
Nainital district resident Dinesh Chandra Joshi took a chance and shifted back to his homeplace and set up a tea business. He had set up a stall of his products in the Ma Nanda Devi Mahotsav held in Nainital. He says that after doing his MBA he worked in various reputed companies, earning a good package. However, the glitter of the corporate sector did not appeal to him and he still sought satisfaction. Joshi left his job and thought to exploit the natural wealth of the mountains, for which he entered the business of organic tea leaves.
Today, he is not only independent but also provides employment to local youths. Today, his Nirmal Chai and DC Green brands have gained market acceptance and are being used in many places. Joshi’s unit now makes 22 types of herbal and flavoured tea. The flavours include Kashmiri Kahwa, Pan, Moringa, Bicchu Ghas, Bombay Masala, Himalayan pink salt, rose tea, black and green tea, among others.
He claims that his product is fully organic and good for health. Herbs from the mountains used in the products lend a special taste and identity, he said.
In addition to earning a profit, he also aims to employ local youths. Presenty, the annual turnover of the enterprise is above Rs 20 lakh. Associated with this enterprise, Hem Chandra Joshi said that many youths are employed in the unit and they collect herbs from various parts of the State, after which the product is processed and packed.
