Maharashtra to sell low-cost ayurvedic products

The state government is set to open ayurvedic stores in Nagpur soon, providing a range of natural products and remedies at concessional rates; if the initiative works, the shops will spread to Mumbai and other cities as well

The state government will soon give competition to the likes of Baba Ramdev and others selling ayurvedic products, as Maharashtra is set to launch its very own line of natural products and remedies by the end of this month. Initially, the project will run on pilot basis in Nagpur, and if successful, will spread to Mumbai and other cities.

The products will be sourced from forests in the state and will be prepared by tribals living in those areas. Representation pic/Thinkstock

Titled Van Dhan Shoppe (wealth of the forest), an assortment of 33 ayurvedic products will be sold in state-run shops. These products will be sourced entirely from forests within Maharashtra, and will be prepared by the tribal communities living there.

Topmost on the shelves will be a wooden glass meant to cure diabetes. Made of wood from the Pija tree found in Chandrapur, the tumbler is said to imbibe water with natural powers against diabetes, helping patients to normalise their blood sugar levels.

Apart from this, the shops will also sell products like honey, ashwagandha, white musli, incense sticks, juices and syrups. All this will be made by adivasis staying in areas like Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, and in the jungles of Tadoba, Pench, etc.

Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar confirmed that these shops would be opened in Nagpur shortly. “The state has jungles, and these can be used for the benefit of citizens, as we can source the ingredients from there. Our products are cheaper as well. For example, the diabetes-curing glass costs us less than Rs 100, but is sold in the open market for Rs 1,000.”

Mungantiwar said that if the initiative proves successful in Nagpur, the project will expand to Mumbai and other places as well. “This will provide employment to the adivasis and will also encourage usage of products from forests. The products are natural and we expect that in today’s age, people will surely be interested, as our prices are below the market rates,” said an official.

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