After food, personal care and home care, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s next big bet is the telecom sector. Ramdev’s company Patanjali has partnered with BSNL to launch ‘Swadeshi Samriddhi SIM cards’
For now, the sim cards are not available for the public, but will only be available to employees and office bearers of Patanjali, as per an ANI report.
The Swadeshi Samriddhi SIM card offers unlimited calls across the country, 2GB data pack and 100 SMSs for a recharge of just Rs 144. There are also recharge offers for Rs. 792, and Rs. 1,584. While the benefits remain the same, the validity periods are longer. The Rs. 792 is valid for 180 days, while the Rs 1,584 plan has a validity period of 365 days. According to reports, the Rs 144 plan is available across India except in Mumbai and Delhi circles.
Image source: Twitter/manakgupta
Patanjali is also offering health, accidental and life insurance cover of Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh on availing the sim. However, it can only be used in the case of road accidents.
ANI quotes Ramdev as saying that government-owned BSNL is a ‘Swadeshi network’ and both companies are looking at the ‘welfare’ of the country.
Once the Swadeshi Samriddhi SIM is launched for everyone, people can get them from the five lakh BSNL counters across the country. Holders of the sim will also get discount of 10 per cent on Patanjali products.
"Patanjali's plan is BSNL's best plan. In Rs 144, one can make unlimited calls from any part of the country. We are giving 2 GB data pack, 100 SMSs. The members of the Patanjali has to just show their identity and their SIM will be activated soon after some paper work," ANI quotes Sunil Garg, BSNL Chief General Manager as saying.
Patanjali, with the launch of ayurvedic products across product segments was distrupting the FMCG industry, especially around 2013-2016, causing even the largest FMCG companies in the world to stand up and take notice.
From staples, to snacks, food items and personal care, Patanjali forayed into dozens of categories. In January 2018, it also forayed into e-commerce for its FMCG items.
In FY17, it clocked a turnover of Rs 10,561 crore and around the same in FY18 as well.
It is now looking to enter dairy and even the apparel segment.