Acharya Balkrishna, a prominent figure in the Ayurvedic and Yoga world, is widely recognized for his significant contributions and entrepreneurial endeavors. This comprehensive biography explores his life, career, and impact.

Wiki/Biography

Balkrishna Suvedi, known as Acharya Balkrishna, was born on Friday, August 4, 1972 (age 51 years as of 2023) in Syangja, Gandaki Pradesh, Nepal. His father, Jay Vallabh Subedi, worked as a security guard at an ashram in Uttarakhand, India. He pursued his education at Kalawa Gurukul in Haryana, focusing on Ayurvedic principles and herbal medicine. After completing his studies, he extensively traveled across India to deepen his understanding of plants and their medicinal properties.

Physical Appearance

• Height: 5’8″
• Eye Colour: Black
• Hair Colour: Black

Family

He was born into a Nepali family to Jay Vallabh Subedi and Sumitra Devi. Information regarding his siblings remains undisclosed. He is unmarried.

Story and Success

His profound knowledge of herbs and Ayurveda led to him becoming a local physician. In 1995, along with Baba Ramdev, he established the Patanjali Divya Yoga Mandir trust and the Divya Pharmacy, a manufacturing unit for Ayurvedic medicines. Their collaborative efforts laid the foundation for the future success of Patanjali Ayurved.

In October 2004, during a yoga camp at Rashtrapati Bhavan, he received recognition from then-President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The subsequent founding of Patanjali Ayurved Limited in 2006 marked a turning point. This company quickly became a leading FMCG company, with Balkrishna holding a substantial 98% stake. The company’s impressive growth led to significant recognition in various wealth rankings. In 2019, he was included among the world’s 10 influential people by the UNSDG and received the UNSDG Healthcare Award.

Controversies

Acharya Balkrishna’s career has not been without controversy. Questions surrounding his academic qualifications and Indian citizenship have been raised. In 2011, he faced accusations of possessing fraudulent documents, leading to investigations by the CBI. Further investigations by the Enforcement Directorate followed. The launch of “Coronil,” an Ayurvedic medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, also sparked significant controversy due to claims of curative properties. Subsequent legal actions followed due to misleading advertising claims.

More recently, Patanjali Ayurved, under Balkrishna’s leadership, has faced significant legal challenges and scrutiny concerning its advertising practices and claims made against modern medicine. The company has faced substantial fines and warnings from the Supreme Court of India regarding misleading and unsubstantiated claims.

Car Collection

His car collection is reportedly limited to a single Range Rover.

Net Worth

With his substantial 98% shareholding in Patanjali Ayurved Ltd., his net worth, according to Forbes in 2019, exceeded $4.7 billion.

Facts

• He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to Ayurveda and Yoga.
• His birthday is celebrated as “Jadi Booti Diwas” (Herbs Day).
• Despite his CEO position, he reportedly does not draw a salary from Patanjali Ayurved.
• He serves as the chief editor of the magazine “Yog Sandesh” and has authored numerous research papers on Yoga and Ayurveda.

Awards and Recognitions

Below is a table summarizing some of his key awards and recognitions: