How is the life of a retired Army officer who runs an organic store for improvement of health in India?

After dedicating years to serving the country, the retired army officer often brings valuable leadership skills, discipline, and a strong work ethic to any venture they step into. They understand the importance of organization, teamwork, and attention to detail, which can contribute to the success of their business. Moreover, their experience in the military might have instilled values such as integrity, perseverance, and resilience, which can be valuable assets in the competitive business world.

During my all India cycle tour, I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Hanumant Babaso Mane, a retired Army officer who has ventured into the organic store business with a mission to promote better health in India. His remarkable journey served as an inspiration to many, including myself.

Hanumant Sir’s life story is a testament to his resilience and determination. Coming from a financially disadvantaged background, he faced numerous hardships, including not being able to afford basic necessities like slippers until 12th grade. However, he refused to let his circumstances define him and instead turned his focus towards creating a successful business.

With a strong belief that the system should work for him, Hanumant Sir embarked on a path of self-improvement and skill development. His military background instilled in him a sense of discipline and management, which he applied to his business endeavors. Over time, he honed his skills in marketing and embraced the principles of effective business management.

Learning from Hanumant Sir was a truly enriching experience. His ability to overcome adversity and transform his life through sheer hard work and determination left a lasting impression on me. His success in building a multi-crore business stands as a testament to his tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit.

Orgatma (https://orgatma.com/)

Table of Contents

First innings of life: Outstanding debut

Hanumant Babaso Mane, born in 1965, had a challenging upbringing in the village of Kombalwadi in Maharashtra. The village lacked basic amenities such as electricity and roads, and had only a handful of houses surrounded by hills. With no connection to the outside world, there were no radios or newspapers to keep them informed.

Education took place in the local temple, where students from grades 1 to 4 shared the same classroom. Hanumant sir worked in farmlands while attending school. His education continued until the 4th or 5th grade in his village, during which time he showed great promise and a strong desire to learn more.

To pursue further studies, he had to travel to the neighboring village, which was 5 kilometers away, without even wearing slippers. Despite the hardships, his enthusiasm for education remained unwavering. Hanumant sir also had responsibilities on the farm, such as feeding the cows and cleaning the cow shed. He would wake up at 4 o’clock in the morning to study, using kerosene lamps for light. Eventually, he became the first person from his village to clear the 10th grade.

For his 11th and 12th grades, Hanumant sir hmoved to Karad to continue his studies. However, financial constraints made life difficult. He recalled his mother sending him a tiffin box by bus, which traveled 30 kilometers from his village to Karad, providing him with the same breakfast and lunch every day as he resided in the government college hostel.

Despite achieving exceptional marks in his 12th-grade exams in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology (PCMB), Hanumant sir’s dreams of pursuing higher education were hindered by a lack of financial resources. For the next four years, he worked in the farms, earning a meager income of 30-40 rupees per day.

Second innings: becoming a renowned player in the field

Mr. Hanumant Mane’s journey in the army began in Kohlapur, where he participated in the recruitment process. His exceptional performance in the written exam led him to be assigned to the electronics and mechanical repair work (EMV) division. At the age of 19, he left for Bhopal for training, leaving his family unaware of his whereabouts.

During his time in the army, Hanumant sir excelled in various courses and postings. He worked in Baroda for two years, where he topped all technical training courses. His first posting in Punjab, near Amritsar, was in an area with high terrorist activity. The army decided to establish its own aviation team, and Hanumant sirwas selected to be part of it. He received specialized training in Sikandrabad and achieved top rankings once again. During this period, he completed two diplomas in instrumentation and aeronautics.

Hanumant sir’s postings took him to different parts of India, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Jhansi, Leh Ladakh, and Nasik. He achieved remarkable milestones in his army career, such as becoming a Gazetted officer and setting an Indian army record by reaching the rank of Hawaldar Major in just 9.5 years of service. He was also involved in the development of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) in Bangalore.

After completing 26 years of service in 2011, he retired, receiving a pension. He decided to enjoy his retirement and travel, leaving behind the army life.

Third innings: learning from bad form

After initially deciding to enjoy his retirement, Mr. Hanumant Mane ventured into farming in 2013. He developed 7-8 acres of land and invested 25 lakh rupees to automate and provide water to the entire area. Additionally, he rented 38 acres of land for cultivation.

Hanumant sir utilized mobile technology for automation and employed 25 permanent female workers. He also acquired two tractors and two jeeps to streamline the farming operations. He grew a variety of vegetables, including exotic and Chinese varieties, alongside Indian vegetables. His dedication and innovative farming practices attracted the attention of people who were curious about his unconventional approach.

Notably, Hanumant sir successfully cultivated plantains on rocky land, yielding an impressive 50 kilograms of bananas. He obtained licenses for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and medicines, aiming to engage in wholesale distribution. To enhance his farming knowledge, he established connections with experts from Rahuri Krishi Vidyapeeth and learned advanced techniques from them.

However, after experiencing the challenges of fluctuating cash flow and unnecessary management, Hanumant sir realized that the workload and complexities of the farming business were becoming burdensome. Consequently, he decided to step back from the farming venture, finding it to be too demanding and resembling more of a trading operation.

Fourth innings: I lose if I play for another team

Mr. Hanumant Mane had a stint working in a defense marketing company called Bhatia Aerospace in Sahakarnagar, Bangalore. He was offered a salary of 1.5 lakhs for his marketing role, and he was provided with a 4,700 square feet penthouse in Heritage Apartments in Bangalore.

As a defense marketer, Hanumant sir excelled in his job and managed to increase the company’s business from 7 crores to 25 crores within three years. He successfully sold three major aerospace tools, contributing to the company’s growth.

However, Hanumant sir soon realized that he was once again engaging in work that resembled the donkey work he experienced in farming. Despite his marketing efforts, he was receiving only a 1% commission on the sales he generated. Due to this realization, he decided to leave the job.

Hanumant sir had a pension of 50,000 rupees, and his daughter was married while his son was educated and capable of earning his own livelihood. With the knowledge that he required very little for his survival, Hanumant made the decision to quit his job in 2018.

Final shot at becoming a legendary player in the field

After quitting his job in defense marketing in 2018, Hanumant Mane sir received an invitation from his friend Sham Dutta, who was involved in organic farming, to join him in organic product sales. Inspired by renowned figure Rajiv Bhai Dixit and his emphasis on the health benefits of organic food, Hanumant sir decided to open his own organic products marketing company.

In September 2017, Hanumant sir established Orgathma, and in February 2018, he acquired two cold press machines for oil extraction. Initially, marketing and optimizing the oil extraction process proved challenging, and sales were slow, with only 300 liters of oil sold in the first nine months. However, a video made by a social influencer brought significant attention to the company, leading to a surge in demand during Diwali in October 2018.

As the demand increased, Hanumant sir shifted the focus from oil extraction to selling cold press machines. The company became a mediator, selling the concept and providing free training to those who purchased the machines. This led to a cold press revolution in India, as more people understood the importance of cold press oil for their health. The increased availability and competition brought down the price of oil from 500 rupees to 250 rupees across the country.

Despite facing setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hanumant managed to overcome the challenges and currently holds a 25% stake in the company.

Injuries and how to deal with them

Hanumant Sir faced health issues related to high blood sugar levels, leading to a diagnosis of diabetes with a sugar level of 850. Instead of opting for insulin injections, he sought the help of a lifestyle coach who guided him towards a low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet. Within three months, he was able to stop taking medication, and he claims to be in the fittest state of his life.

Hanumant sir’s success in managing his diabetes and improving his health attracted the attention of others facing similar challenges. He has helped more than 40 individuals reverse their diabetes through the adoption of the LCHF diet. He emphasizes the importance of educating oneself about complex topics such as the glycemic index and demonstrates that he didn’t blindly follow any approach. Hanumant sir’s ability to wholeheartedly immerse himself in learning and applying new knowledge is a distinguishing factor that transcends his endeavors in farming, business, and health.

Behind the screen: the personal life

Hanumant Sir’s life was a remarkable journey of achievements in various fields. From excelling in schooling and army training to making strides in farming, business, and health, he had experienced success in multiple domains. His accomplishments were awe-inspiring, but what set him apart were his unconventional and daring ideas.

Hanumant Sir’s thoughts were even more extraordinary than the stories of his exploits. He possessed a unique and daring perspective on life, always pushing boundaries and challenging norms. His innovative thinking and fearlessness in embracing new ideas made him a true maverick.

Hanumant Sir’s life was an extraordinary journey that most could only dream of experiencing. His remarkable achievements in various fields were surpassed by his boundless imagination and unconventional ideas. Intrigued by his unique perspective, I sought to delve deeper into his thoughts on life and asked him personal questions. What unfolded was a captivating exchange of ideas that surpassed even my wildest imagination, leaving me inspired by his profound insights and outlook on life.

Justifications

Hanumant Sir justified his life by adopting a philosophy of giving his all in every endeavor. He believed in dedicating himself fully to whatever task was at hand, leaving no room for half-hearted efforts. This approach stemmed from his belief that every person and every moment was important. Whether it was an interaction with someone sitting in front of him or any task that came his way, he strived to perform it to the best of his abilities.

Rather than constantly looking ahead and setting future goals, Hanumant Sir emphasized the significance of the present moment. He believed that each moment was precious and deserved his utmost attention and excellence. Instead of running a race towards a predefined goal, he focused on doing his best in the present moment, whatever it may be.

Hanumant Sir’s choices in life were guided by a willingness to embrace opportunities as they arose. Instead of rigidly planning his path, he embraced what came his way and put his best efforts into it. This flexible approach allowed him to explore different fields and excel in each one, demonstrating his versatility and adaptability. Infact he was not the only person to have such an ideology (read this article and this article)

Validations

Hanumant Sir finds validation in helping others and experiencing the satisfaction that comes with it. He believes in the inherent goodness of assisting those in need and considers it a natural aspect of his personality. Accumulating wealth is not his primary goal, as he is content with his pension and does not aspire for excessive riches. He values the present day and does not dwell on the uncertainties of the future.

Hanumant Sir prioritizes his own well-being and does not excessively concern himself with others’ opinions or expectations. While he acknowledges the temporary importance of certain individuals in his life, he firmly believes that he is ultimately the most important person to himself. His actions are driven by self-fulfillment rather than solely for the benefit of his family.

He maintains a detached perspective towards attachment or detachment, including his family. Hanumant Sir has achieved a level of understanding and spiritual wisdom, which allows him to remain unaffected by desires, attachments, or the expectations of others. He embraces the notion that everything in life is predetermined, accepting whatever may come his way.

Complaints

Hanumant Sir no longer has complaints in life. He used to wonder why the world treated him a certain way, but he has let go of that complaint. He believes that suffering arises from worrying about what others think and from the imagination. He accepts that people will be themselves, and he no longer concerns himself with what they think of him. As a result, he has no complaints and chooses to focus on doing what he enjoys, regardless of others’ opinions.

Materialism

Hanumant Sir expressed that if he were given all the money in the world, he wouldn’t desire anything. His only request would be for some space to sleep and an equal space to be buried. He considers his personal needs to be minimal, and he believes that the rest of the money should be used for the betterment of society and for doing good.

The conversation with Hanumant Sir was captivating and immersive. It felt like a journey on a boat, completely engrossed in his story. I lost track of time as the discussion unfolded. Towards the end, I took the opportunity to ask him for his message to the world. He shared the following:

His message was inspired by the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Lord Krishna – that whatever happened, is happening, and will happen is ultimately for the good. He questioned why we don’t trust in God’s words if he assures us of this. Hanumant Sir emphasized the importance of cherishing the present moment and living in the present tense. By doing so, he believed that our problems would naturally find resolution.

Comment below and do let me know if you agree with the philosophy.

Asutosh

I am a 31 year young PhD graduate who has decided to travel the length and breadth of India on my cycle, to document the journey of meeting a vast array of people. In my journey, I intend to understand the characteristic features of the people of this nation and categorize them based on their demographics, age, profession, gender, traditions, and cultural differences.