Yoga guru Ramdev forays into security business

New Delhi: Making a foray into the lucrative security business, noted Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Thursday launched his own security firm titled ‘Parakram Suraksha.’

“Security is a very important issue either for a man or a woman. Our aim is to prepare individuals for self and country’s security and for this we have formed Parakram Suraksha Private Limited,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurveda Acharya Balakrishna told Gulf News.

He said the venture will help develop military instinct in each and every citizen of the country.

“The idea is to awaken the spirit and determination for individual and national security. Baba Ramdev has hired retired army and police personnel to train young and interested recruits. We plan to make a mark in security in this country,” Balakrishna added.

Ramdev also confirmed the development.

“Launched Parakram Security today. It will provide jobs to 25-50 thousand youth in the country and soon be among the top security companies of India. It will create a history of sorts,” Ramdev tweeted.

According to sources in Ramdev’s Ayurveda Centre in Uttarakhand, young people are already being imparted training at Patanjali complex in Haridwar to work as private security guards.

“Baba Ramdev’s Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) venture Patanjali has increasingly expanded its market presence by positioning its products with a blend of Ayurveda. It is seen as a threat by several domestic and multinational FMCG companies. Parakram Suraksha is a new direction where we are making a foray today,” Balakrishna stated.

In 2016, Ramdev’s FMCG business was reportedly worth Rs11 billion (Dh626 million). Patanjali Ayurveda has made Ramdev the 25th richest person in India with Rs25 billion of wealth.

Reacting to the development, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and spokesperson Ramesh Gupta said Ramdev should focus only on Yoga and not distract himself with “superficial business ventures”.

“Baba Ramdev is known for what he has done in the field of Yoga. Yoga is an art completely mastered by Baba. I feel he should concentrate on Yoga and nothing else. He will be doing great service to Yoga if he does it with full focus and does not allow him to be distracted by FMCG, security or any other business,” Gupta said.

Earlier, Ramdev had announced to expand his business to dairy and higher education sectors.