The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
HYDERABAD, MAY 5, 2025
In a transformative step towards empowering rural India, the Heartfulness Institute, in collaboration with global digital payments leader PayPal, has launched a Biochar Centre of Excellence promoting Rural Entrepreneurship at Kanha Shanti Vanam, the world’s largest meditation centre located on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The initiative was inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, in the esteemed presence of Kamlesh Patel (Daaji), President and Global Guide of Heartfulness Institute, and Nath Parameshwaran, Senior Director at PayPal India.
Designed to serve as a model for sustainable rural development, the Centre of Excellence aims to equip women and youth entrepreneurs in villages with skills and knowledge to establish biochar production units. The goal is to create a scalable rural business ecosystem that boosts agricultural productivity, improves soil health, and enhances farmer incomes while contributing to carbon sequestration and environmental conservation.
Speaking at the inauguration, Nitin Gadkari said, “Small businesses, rural entrepreneurs, and farmers form the backbone of India’s economy. This initiative is a unique convergence of innovation and sustainability that empowers communities with modern agricultural techniques while protecting our natural resources. With this Centre of Excellence, we are creating the building blocks of a more self-reliant and prosperous rural India.”
The facility will offer an end-to-end experiential journey into biochar production — from raw material conversion to its application in farms and forests — providing rural participants with practical training, real-world insights, and opportunities to scale their ventures sustainably.
Emphasizing the initiative’s larger mission, Kamlesh Patel (Daaji) said, “This Centre is not just about innovation; it’s about regeneration — of soil, of livelihoods, and of communities. By fostering eco-conscious entrepreneurship, we aim to plant the seeds of prosperity and sustainability in every village across the country.”
Nath Parameshwaran of PayPal reiterated the company’s commitment to inclusive growth, saying “At PayPal, enabling small businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed is core to our mission. Partnering with Heartfulness aligns with our vision of supporting India’s rural economy through meaningful, future-ready interventions.”
