Pali, Nov. 10 -- Two homegrown startups in Rajasthan's Pali district are turning local resources and innovative ideas into business opportunities, while generating employment for rural women and youth. From value-added wellness products made from babool pods to dry-fruit-based sweets, these ventures are taking local entrepreneurship beyond the village.

One such initiative is led by Rakesh Dave, founder of Aukasan, who has built a wellness business around the pods of the babool tree, a commonly found tree whose fruit is often overlooked. By adding value to this locally available resource, Dave has developed a range of products through a process of cleaning, drying, grinding and packaging the pods.

The initiative also brings women from tr...