Baba Ramdev is never seen in other attires apart from his trademark unstitched dhoti and kurta for years together but the Yog Guru has plunged himself into the lucrative apparel segment by launching ‘Patanjali Paridhan’ at Patanjali Yog peeth in Haridwar on Saturday. The launch coincided with completion of 24 years of Patanjali. Baba Ramdev talked about his new foray, Patanjali and Ram Mandir in a freewheeling talk with The Pioneer on sidelines of the launching ceremony. Here are the excerpts:
Question: What is the thought process behind launch of Paridhan retail chain?
Answer: The whole idea behind the launch of Patanjali Paridhan is that the weaver must get his dues so that he gets the right to live with dignity. Our textile industry is dying a slow death as international brands like Super dry, Zara, Adidas have captured the market. Here at Patanjali Paridhan, as many as 3500 varieties have been launched which include ethnic, Indo western and formal occasional wears. Our apparels are two to three times cheaper than the multinational brands available in the market while colour, design and sustainability are the same. Anyone wearing this would wear it with an air of pride being ‘Swadeshi’.
Question: Today is foundation day of Divya Yog Mandir Trust; please tell us about your journey in these last 24 years?
Answer: This journey has been from Yog se udyog (From Yog to industry) in the welfare of the nation. Even today I work for 18 hours a day but our focus still remains on education. To learn is the constitutional right of any citizen for which we have given proposal to the government for formation of Vedic education board which shall be in place soon. We wish to make a university for one lakh students.
Question: Is Patanjali making Ayur Vastras in future for patients? What about online purchases of garments and policies?
Answer: Patanjali has just launched a complete brand of clothes and inner wear which have fibres of bamboo and Aloe Vera. We have offered discount of 25 percent on all items till Makar Sankranti. For the past 10 years, the ground work for this was being done. Whatever parameters of quality are being adopted by International brands, we have incorporated in Patanjali Paridhan. In Sanskar fragrance Kurta range, fragrance of sandalwood and musk has been added in the finishing fabric which will be retained even after number of washes. The inner wear made with bamboo fibre is naturally antimicrobial which resists ultra violet rays up to 97.2 percent. Since we could not bring these garments under Patanjali brand so a ‘Live Fit brand’ has been created. Our T -shirts are APEO (alkylphenol ethoxylates) free and priced one third as compared with any MNC market brands. There is no chemical used in any form during entire manufacturing of clothes.
Question: what are the future plans of Patanjali Yog Peeth Trust?
Answer: We are focussing on education. With sadhna, sewa and sangharsh (austerity, service and struggle) we are aiming at serving the humanity thereby serving the nation. By 2050, India shall be on top in the world in the fields of economy and education and Patanjali is striving to make the country a Vishwa Guru. Many milestones of making India on top in the field of Yoga, Ayurveda have started from Haridwar. We strive for nation building from agricultural industry to textile industry and the faith of millions will make us achieve that.
Question: Is Patanjali having any plan for textile parks?
Answer: By 2020 we intend to open 500 exclusive brand outlets in the entire country five of which have already become operational in New Delhi, Pitampura, Baroda, Aurangabad and Meerut. ‘Astha’ brand is for women, ‘Sanskar’ for Men and ‘Live Fit’ is for both men and women with yoga wear and foot wear ranges. Even the footwear ‘Khadao’ has anti-slipping lining on heals and is light weight.
Question: How much revenue enhancement is expected from foray into textile sector by Patanjali group.
Answer: In India we have a market of Rs 7 lakh crore in textiles out of which more than 90 percent is in unorganized sector. The MNC brands like Puma, Adidas and others have captured the market against which any Swadeshi brand could stand up in the market. Now Patanjali Paridhan has brought products of various indigenous manufacturers all under one roof.
Question: While Promoting Khadi any plans for tie up with government sector Khadi Udyog?
Answer: We are trying to support units having license of Khadi and Village Industries commission. We have 92 vendors who are working for Patanjali as per our designs and quality standards.
Question: what is your take on Ram Janma bhumi issue and the present scenario in the country.
Answer: Ram is not a religious agenda. He has been the ancestor of both Hindus and Muslims. Ram, Ram Mandir and Ram Rajya – all three are the needs of the country. If a bill is put in the parliament, no political party can go against it. It is unfortunate that for Ram mandir which is our existential reality, we have to go to courts of law. This country exists because of Ram. Let the society build up temple on its own. Country has been divided into five major kabilas ( groups), ‘ OBCs, Dalits, Muslims, Savarnas and now Kisans (farmers), which form a major section. Whole politics is revolving around this group of five.
Question: what you would say on recent statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Government has no intention to bring any ordinance on Ram Mandir till court’s decision
Answer: Ram Mandir is and should not be the part of politics. Anyone sitting on constitutional chair would say the same which Modi has said , that after court’s decision, ordinance can be brought in the parliament.