- January 23, 2026
A Trip To Thailand Made This Man Quit His TCS Job And Start A Business That Is Thriving Today
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What began as a modest juice stall has now evolved into a growing enterprise, blending traditional knowledge with global exposure
The business took a decisive turn after Kumar’s visit to Thailand in 2014, where he noticed bael, locally known as apple wood, being sold in sliced and dried form.
Ranjan Kumar, a resident of Bhagalpur village in Bihar’s Gaya, has scripted an inspiring turnaround by leaving behind a high-paying corporate job to modernise his family’s traditional business. Once employed with a reputed company at a monthly salary of Rs 45,000, Kumar chose to return home and reimagine his father’s decades-old bael juice enterprise. Today, the venture earns him between Rs 60,000 and Rs 70,000 a month.
Kumar’s father had long been selling bael and other fruit juices in Bodh Gaya, catering largely to pilgrims and locals. The business took a decisive turn after Kumar’s visit to Thailand in 2014, where he noticed bael, locally known as apple wood, being sold in sliced and dried form.
Market interactions there revealed that the dried slices were commonly used to prepare herbal tea, valued for its digestive and therapeutic benefits, particularly for stomach-related ailments.
Bringing the idea back home, Kumar began producing and selling sliced bael fruit in Bodh Gaya’s markets. The transition was smooth, given the family’s existing familiarity with the fruit trade. The product soon found favour with visitors, especially during the winter months, when both domestic and international tourists flock to the region.
Demand for bael tea has steadily grown beyond local markets, with orders now coming in from countries such as Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. The product sells at prices ranging from Rs 400-Rs 800 per kg, significantly boosting the family’s income. For nearly three months a year, Kumar focuses on bael tea sales, while bael juice continues to be sold during the remaining months.
An alumnus of Magadh University, Kumar studied Spanish before joining Tata Consultancy Services, where he worked for about two years. His decision to leave the corporate sector was driven by a desire to build something sustainable at home. Today, he and his father work together to expand the business.
Bael tea prepared from dried slices is also served to devotees and visiting dignitaries at the Lord Buddha temple on Dungeshwari hill, where it is offered as a restorative drink after the steep climb. Known for warming the body, reducing fatigue, easing swelling and relaxing muscles, the tea has found a loyal following among those familiar with its benefits.
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Gaya, India, India
January 23, 2026, 15:34 IST
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