Who Is Shashi Bahuguna Raturi Founder of Namakwali Brand
Shashi Bahuguna Raturi, hailing from Tehri Garhwal, is the visionary founder of “Namakwali”, a project dedicated to promoting mountain salt and empowering women through employment opportunities.
Objective of Namakwali Brand:
The primary objective of the Namakwali brand is twofold: to preserve the rich culinary heritage of the Himalayan region and to economically empower women through the production and distribution of mountain salt.
How did this brand evolve?
- Community Collaboration : Shashi collaborated with Dehradun-based NGO Mahila Nav Jagran Samiti to collectively empower women and promote sustainable livelihoods. This partnership emphasizes the importance of community participation in pursuing socio-economic initiatives.
- Cultural Preservation : Namakwali focuses on preserving traditional culinary customs by showcasing the diverse flavors of Himalayan villages through special salt blends. This strategy highlights the brand’s commitment to cultural preservation amid modernization.
- Digital Outreach : Leveraging social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, Shashi effectively raised awareness about local salt and generated consumer interest. This digital outreach played a vital role in expanding the reach of the brand beyond geographical boundaries.
- Environmental sustainability : Namakwali prioritizes environmental sustainability by using organic ingredients and traditional production methods. By promoting chemical-free practices, the brand contributes to the conservation of the natural ecosystem in the Himalayan region.
- Women Empowerment : Through the production of mountain salt, Namakwali provides employment opportunities for women in hill communities. By economically empowering women, the brand promotes gender equality and socio-economic development in the region.
Namakwali Brand Aim
Namakwali wants to give people around the world access to the organic flavor and food of the Himalayan countryside. Shashi Bahuguna Raturi, the founder of this unique brand, was concerned about the loss of the traditional food culture of the highlands when he founded it. She started this project by involving women from different regions of Uttarakhand. To serve their customers, they always do it using a grinding stone (called silbatta). All herbs and spices are harvested in the mountains. The brand sells products that are chemical-free and use traditional methods. It realized that special items in the local tradition includes salt as salt like “PISSU LOON “. So you started this project in 2017, using media Social and Facebook, to indicate many sales salt and incentive.
Shark Tank Appearance:
Shashi Bahuguna Raturi took her entrepreneurial endeavor to Sony’s Shark Tank India event, where she presented her project “Namakwali”, which aimed to promote mountain salt and empower women through employment opportunities.
Her presentation enthralled the judges, who were impressed by her innovative approach to preserving culinary heritage and supporting the economic empowerment of women.
The judges appreciated Shashi’s efforts in showcasing the unique flavors of Himalayan villages and recognized the social impact of her project.
Shashi’s appearance on Shark Tank India not only provided valuable exposure for “Namakwali” but also highlighted the importance of socio-economic initiatives in the entrepreneurship landscape.
