The Little Entrepreneur – Anand Panchbhai

Yet another fascinating story to be mentioned from Chhattisgarh- outshining in the sky of startups.The name of the entrepreneur is Anand Panchbhai who is the alumni of IIT Bhilai 2017 batch. Anand laid the foundation of his company during his student life only. At present he is employing 25 people in his company out of which 20 are his juniors only.

An AI startup in health Sector

The story of Anand is really miraculous. During his student life in IIT Bhilai, Anand was determined to do something for the nation. He was determined to do something which can transform the lives of people on mass scale. He started his company Logy.AI through his pocket money with a thought that instead of working from someone else it is better to be self-employed. Through proper time management, he started his venture keeping time for studies as well. Apart from Anand, his two friends Priyajeet and Vinay also played an important role in laying the foundation of company.

AI in medicine and Health

Anand was deeply interested in research work based on artificial intelligence so he opted for the application of artificial intelligence in the field of medicine. His company Logy.AI works in the field of artificial intelligence and research based products, apps and devices. The Government of India along with state governments and various other companies are continuously approaching Anand's company for his valuable research, products and data in the field of medicine and health.

Valuable works

Industrial Research 

 The company got a big grant Biotechnology Industries Research Assistant Counselling in 2020 for industrial based research in the field of AI.

Malaria Detection

Anand’s  company has made a device through which one can detect problems like Malaria, dental problems and other diseases only in a nominal amount of rupees 15. This device is being used in naxalite areas of Bastar now.

Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer

In 2018 Anand and his team made an app and introduced a technique for detecting Cervical Cancer in women. IIIT Hyderabad made a grand to Anand for discovering this technique. Even Government of India has accepted this technique and ground level work has been started.

No words can explain these nobel efforts done for the welfare of humanity and society. We salute the spirit of generosity and innovation ultimately contributing to the well-being of the citizens of the country.

 

Entrepreneurs of Chhattisgarh

Who is not fond of chocolates? On the occasion of chocolate day, when sharing of chocolates is at the peak , who bothers that most of the chocolates contain excess sugar which is not good for health. The sugar free chocolates available in market have also added Chemicals and preservatives in them.

Ever thought of a sugar free chocolate made up of immunity booster herbs? If not, here is the moment to feel proud. Three youngsters of Raipur City - Gaurav Kumar, Amrit Nahar and Anand are together, making sugar free chocolates with natural herbs. Other than that, they are also making 50% sugar free candies. The uniqueness of the project is that they haven't used any chemicals to make these candies. For sweetness they are using Stevia which is multiple times sweeter than sugar.

The Journey of Herbal chocolates

For raw materials they have chosen suppliers from different regions of the country like cocoa powder is being ordered from Kerala and rest of the materials are purchased from farmers of various districts of Chhattisgarh like Bemetara ,Raipur and Bastar.

They stressed that these chocolates are not only immunity boosters but also helpful in increasing eyesight and memory. There startup JORCO has been funded by GEC Surat for further development.

Using herbs in chocolate

In a short talk Amrit told that they are using about 14 herbs like ashwagandha, Tulsi ,badi elaichi ,Giloy, Pippali, clove, cinnamon, mulethi, javitri, black pepper, nutmeg and Kasturi turmeric in making chocolate. It is an interesting recipe not only for children but for elderly and diabetic patients also.

Success story of making of herbal chocolate it is not so easy. The team is working on this project since 6 months and they finally succeeded to make the chocolate after 25 failures. The main problem in making chocolate was the sweetening agent. When dried stevia leaves were initially added along with cocoa powder, nuts, milk solids and green foods, the chocolate became bitter in taste. Then they  tried using stem and various parts of stevia plant and finally succeeded.

The chocolate is available in different flavours like Leechi, orange, herbs, Kacchi keri, mango and jaljeera. The story is in itself an example for all young entrepreneurs who wish to do something innovative as well as inspiring for society also.

 

The Women Carpenters of Manipur

 The Vibrant Carpenters of Manipur

Whenever we think of word carpentry the picture which immediately comes in mind is of a male dominated industry but what a beauty of the fact that women in Manipur are equally participating with their male counterparts to make furniture with equal ease and expertise. About 32 km from Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, the women in Kairembikok village of Thuobal district are taking up carpentry profession and breaking all kinds of stereotypes. The village is having a population of 1500 people and 80% of village women are working as carpenters here.

The courageous starting

Being a tough job, carpentry has always been forbidden for women. This chance was brought about by a kind and courageous person - Kangjam Inaboi, who runs a furniture unit in the village.  He tells that ever since when he started his furniture business she observed that there were a lot of unemployed women in the village. They were having no options for employment excluding the time of paddy harvest in fields. They were unable to support their family financially even when they wished.

The story started from a lady called Ahomsangbaam Radhamani who stepped out to Kangjam and ask for job in the factory. She started working with her carpenter husband in the factory. Within a week, 5-6 more women joined the factory and in today's scenario 80% of women are working in in this furniture unit. Hats off to the first step  taken by Radhamani as this was the desired action taken to initiate women employment in the village.

The positive Change

The women here are generally working in two shifts either between 7 to 10 am or 11 to 5 pm after getting freed from household work. The village is retaining its identity as unemployment hub as no one in the village is unemployed and due to working of both husband and wife, income has also doubled .A woman carpenter is earning 8000 to 10000 rupees per month raising the family income to about 20000 to 25000 per month.

Although many women have not got formal education but this work has filled them with a sense of pride and dignity. They also are able to pay their debts which they have taken from self-help group of village. Due to increase in income, they are now able to give better up bringing to their children. Every child of the village is now going to school and the village is totally addiction and drug free. They have admitted their children to boarding schools however previously it was impossible for them to admit their children in private schools.

Kangjam tells that these women have never thought that this profession is a man dominated profession. Sometimes the finishing touch given by them is even better than their male counterparts. It shows an inspiring picture of women empowerment in the small village of Manipur. An excellent example of willpower and determination shown by these women.