Dutch Roses and Millets

Dear Reader,

Did you opt for a subject of your choice while pursuing higher studies? I couldn’t. No, it was not because of parental pressure. It was because I could never imagine dissecting rats and cockroaches in the biology lab. So despite scoring 97% marks in science in class 10, I opted to study commerce. 

My daughter, however, is luckier. Educational boards across India have now removed animal dissection from their syllabi and so has the Medical Council of India for its undergraduate courses.

Last week, my colleague Aruna spoke to Kolli Madhu, who also could not pursue a career of his choice. He wanted to be a cricketer but became a farmer instead. After completing his BSc in agriculture, he pursued an MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad and has excelled in farming. 

Treating farming as a commercial activity, he grows Dutch roses, cucumbers and chilli seedlings in greenhouses over five acres in Andhra Pradesh. He told my colleague Aruna about earning Rs11 lakh per acre and empowering other farmers. How Madhu makes this money is detailed in the story. Do look it up.

My colleague Anu has put together a piece on five farmers who discovered the importance of organic manures after using them. Realising the high demand and low supplies, they set up manure manufacturing plants and now earn lakhs monthly. 

My colleague Riya wrote about five women entrepreneurs who started their millet business on a small scale (three of them from their kitchens) and now have a pan-India presence. They all clock turnover in crores and are expanding rapidly, inspiring other women through their journeys.

Our Sunday story is on Rani ji ki baori, the 325-year-old stepwell in Bundi, Rajasthan. Built by Rani Nathavati Ji Solanki in 1699, the stepwell stores water even today!

This is my last newsletter for 2024. As we bid goodbye to this year, my heart is filled with gratitude towards our lakhs of readers who encourage us to do better every day. 

Team 30Stades wishes you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year! May 2025 turn out to be the best for everyone! 

Warmly,
Rashmi