Bhopal, May 3: Shubham Tiwari, a young entrepreneur from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, has demonstrated that with determination and the right guidance, setbacks can lead to new success stories. After failing to secure a government job, he chose not to give up. Instead, he redirected his dreams and established a successful millet-based business named ‘Granoxy,’ which has gained recognition both nationally and internationally.
Shubham, who is the founder and operator of Granoxy units in Shahdol, Ujjain, and Jabalpur, has created everyday products like pasta, cookies, and other healthy foods from coarse grains such as kodo and kutki. His initiatives have also provided employment opportunities for local residents.
In an interview, Shubham shared that after completing a diploma in mining engineering in 2016, he underwent a year of training at SECL (Coal India). However, he was declared unfit due to color blindness during a medical examination, which was a significant setback. Instead of succumbing to despair, he turned this challenge into a strength.
He launched a YouTube channel called ‘Skillens Academy’ with zero investment, where he began coaching students for competitive exams. Within just eight months, over 100,000 students joined, eventually growing to millions. Approximately 164 students from his channel secured various government jobs, providing him with a source of income. He also authored several books available on platforms like Amazon.
During this time, he had the opportunity to meet the then Governor of Kerala, Arif Mohammad Khan, and a prominent businessman from the United States, who provided him with initial financial support.
Post-COVID, as people shifted towards healthier lifestyles, Shubham recognized the immense potential of millets like kodo and kutki in tribal areas like Shahdol. Collaborating with experts from institutions such as Indira Gandhi National Tribal University in Amarkantak, he conducted market research and established a millet processing unit with a capacity of one ton per hour in Shahdol.
Subsequently, a bakery unit was launched in Ujjain, producing cookies and crackers, while a ‘Superfood Cafe’ was opened in Jabalpur, offering millet-based pizzas, sandwiches, and other healthy food options.
Shubham emphasized that his goal extends beyond mere business; he aims to develop his region. The primary source of employment in Shahdol is coal mining, which harms the environment. He has developed a model that is environmentally friendly and provides sustainable employment.
However, his journey has not been without challenges. Securing financing and achieving international product quality were significant hurdles. It took him about a year and a half to secure a loan from the bank. During this period, he learned about the PM-FME (Prime Minister’s Micro Food Processing Enterprises Upgradation) scheme, which provided him with a bank loan of approximately 5 million rupees, including a subsidy of 1 million rupees. This support enabled him to gather additional resources and establish a unit costing around 20 million rupees.
Shubham revealed that he imported customized machinery from Germany and focused on research and development. Today, his unit produces innovative products like moringa-flavored pasta, chia seed cookies, and mahua-flavored chocolate, which fall under the ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat categories.
His products have reached markets in Sri Lanka, the UAE, Gulf countries, Iran, and the United States. He is now preparing to expand into the UK and Canada markets with Walmart, having received a pre-order for 42 tons.
During a summit in Bhopal, he had the chance to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In this meeting, he discussed the potential of millets in Shahdol, and the Prime Minister praised his efforts, assuring him of support.
Sakshi Tiwari, the director of the organization, mentioned that they focus on the quality of millets and that government schemes have significantly aided the organization’s progress.
Shubham’s father, Santosh Kumar Tiwari, noted that while his son’s color blindness prevented him from securing a job, he has achieved great success by starting his own venture. His mother, Usha Tiwari, also highlighted the importance of support from both the central and state governments.
Meanwhile, employees at the unit, Deepmala Saket, Durga Devi Chaudhary, and Mahak Chaudhary, expressed that their financial situations have improved due to employment here, allowing them to better support their families.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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