Color Blindness Turns into Opportunity for Shubham Tiwari in Udaipur

Udaipur, May 3: Young entrepreneur Shubham Tiwari from Madhya Pradesh has demonstrated that with determination and the right guidance, setbacks can lead to new success stories. After facing rejection in a government job due to color blindness, he redirected his dreams and established a successful millet-based industry named ‘Grenoxy’, which has gained recognition both nationally and internationally.

Shubham, the founder and operator of Grenoxy 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, presenting them as better health options. His ventures 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) but was declared unfit due to color blindness during a medical examination. This was a significant setback in his life, but he turned it into a strength.

He started 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 into millions. Approximately 164 students from his channel secured various government jobs, providing him with a source of initial income. He has also authored several books available on platforms like Amazon.

During this period, 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. He collaborated with experts from various institutions, including Indira Gandhi National Tribal University in Amarkantak, to conduct market research and established a millet processing unit in Shahdol with a capacity of one ton per hour.

Subsequently, a bakery unit was launched in Ujjain producing cookies and crackers, while a ‘Superfood Café’ was opened in Jabalpur, offering millet-based pizzas, sandwiches, and other healthy food items.

Shubham emphasized that his goal was not merely to run a business but to contribute to the development of his region. With coal mines being the primary source of employment in Shahdol, which harms the environment, he aimed to create an eco-friendly model that provides sustainable jobs.

However, his journey was not without challenges. Securing finance and ensuring his products met international quality standards were significant hurdles. It took him about a year and a half to obtain a loan from the bank. During this time, he learned about the PM-FME (Prime Minister’s Micro Food Processing Enterprises) 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 establish a unit with an investment of around 20 million rupees.

Shubham mentioned 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 chocolates, 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 USA, and he is now preparing to expand into markets in the UK and Canada with Walmart. He has also received a pre-order for 42 tons.

During a summit in Bhopal, he had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he discussed the potential of millets in Shahdol. The Prime Minister appreciated his efforts and assured him of support.

Sakshi Tiwari, the director of the organization, stated that they oversee the quality of millets and that government schemes have significantly aided their progress.

Shubham’s father, Santosh Kumar Tiwari, remarked that although color blindness prevented his son 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 central and state governments.

Meanwhile, employees at the unit, Deepmala Saket, Durga Devi Chaudhary, and Mahak Chaudhary, reported that employment here has improved their financial situation, allowing them to better support their families.