Baba Ramdev led Patanjali, BSNL Rs 144 data pack: You can get SIM card! Beats Reliance Jio too

Yes, Baba Ramdev has jumped on telecom bandwagon to offer Patanjali, BSNL data pack priced at Rs 144 in the form of the Swadeshi Samriddhi SIM card. Before we get into this, a bit of recent history is a must.  We have written every now and then about Reliance Jio and there is no mystery as to how this Mukesh Ambani led company continues to disrupt the telecom market. Various factors, namely freebies, heavy data, unlimited voice calls and SMS and various cashback offers drive subscribers towards RJio data plans. The situation in telecom market became so grave that telcos like Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone started ganging up against RJio by offering cheap unlimited plans too. However, they have fielded heavy losses in their financials. Spice has now been added to this churn and all eyes have shifted to yoga guru Baba Ramdev led Patanjali, which had once disrupted the FMCG market. Things have become even more twisted as it looks like Patanjali and RJio way of doing business has some big similarities. 

Making it all official, BSNL on Tuesday tweeted the details of this new SIM card. Patanjali, led by Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, has launched Swadeshi Samriddhi SIM cards that offer Rs 144 data plan to all and not just Patanjali staff, yes you read that right, in alliance with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The tweet by BSNL says that "Those who are not members of Patanjali Family can subscribe and buy Swadeshi Samriddhi card of Patanjali and produce the same to buy BSN Patanjali 144 Plan.”

Called the 'BSN  Patanjali 144 plan', it gives free unlimited voice calls, no roaming charges, 2GB data per day and 100 SMS per day. This offer will be available in 3 packs namely, Rs 144 pack for 30 days, Rs 792 pack for 180 days and Rs 1,584 for 365 days. 

This special plan is specifically available for members of Patanjali organisations like Bharat Swabhiman, Patanjali Yoga Samiti, Mahila Prakostha, Yuva Bharat, Patanjali Kisan Seva and Swadeshi Samrudhi Card Holder. However, as teh BSNL text shows others can take it too.

#BSNL launches Swadeshi Samriddhi SIM cards in partnership with @PypAyurved. @yogishriramdev pic.twitter.com/0VcDkFw9Wu

— BSNL India (@BSNLCorporate) May 29, 2018

 
For activation, customers can visit nearest CSC/ retailers along with Employee ID of Patanjali. One can get, membership fee documents, receipt of above mentioned organisation and swadeshee Samrudhi card, etc. 

Patanjali, which entered FMCG market in 2006, has given sleepless nights to major players like Colgate Palmolive, Hindustan Unilever, Nestle, Dabur and Emami. The company produces  products in the categories of personal care and food. It manufactures more than 900 products including 45 types of cosmetic products and 30 types of food products. 

The method to beat these big FMCG players has been simple for Patanjali as it sells these products at cheaper rate compared to rivals. This business module is something which RJio has already mastered. 

But did you know RJio has finally find it’s true competitor, because Patanjali outruns it in many ways. 

If we look at RJio’s prepaid offers, there is a recharge plan called as Rs 198 which gives 2GB data for 28 days. In this Patanjali is providing extra days. 

If we see the long term packs, RJio is giving 0.70GB data per day for 180 days at a recharge pack of Rs 1,999. A total 125GB is given to RJio subscribers. As for this, Patanjali is providing 2GB data per day for same period but at more than half price of what RJio is giving. 

Further RJio has a two recharge packs for 360 days validity. One is priced at Rs 4,999 which gives over 1GB data per day which is a total of 350GB data. While second one is priced a Rs 9,999 for same period giving over 2GB data per day which would be a total 750GB data. Patanjali in these plans pushes back RJio big time! Ramdev is giving 2GB data per day for a whole year at just Rs 1,584 pack. 

From the above looks like RJio will have to now game up it ideas if it plans to maintain the leadership in telecom market. 

Tying up with Patanjali is good news for BSNL, which is trying to stay afloat in the market that has been disrupted by RJio. State-owned telecom operators do not have the freedom like the private ones to continue using cheap data plans, however, BSNL has prepped up to mark it’s presence with a list of offers. 

Patanjali last year announced to cross turnover Rs 20,000 crore mark, despite hiccups from GST, the company is confident to resume its growth path in the ongoing fiscal. In FY17, Patanjali recorded a turnover of Rs 10,561 crore, registering a 111% growth. 

How RJio takes on Patanjali’s new plans will be keenly watched by all.