Baba Ramdev makes for a great role model. Following in the footsteps of the controversial yoga guru, Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim launched the MSG range of food products – touted as ‘swadeshi and organic’ – late on Sunday night.

As many as 151 products were launched by Rahim during a media conference held at MSG building on Bajekan road, near the Dera Sacha Sauda complex. The spiritual guru said the “motive” behind him taking the step was to “provide organic and healthy food to every citizen”.

He said that as the MSG brand ambassador, he had obtained a legal agreement from the manufacturer that allowed to step down from the position if any complaint regarding the quality of the products cropped up. However, there was little possibility of such an occurrence because the company provides “organic, premium and standard-quality” products, Rahim added.

MSG, he clarified, stands for “Mastana-ji”, “Satnaam-ji” and “Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh” – the three heads of the Dera Sacha Sauda until today.

Company chairman CP Arora said the products were launched simultaneously in the domestic as well as international markets, and around 150 MSG stores have already been opened. The firm has received dealership proposals from many countries, including the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and Germany, he added.

The products launched by the company, officially called the MSG All-Trading International Private Limited, include 14 varieties of various pulses; 41 varieties of grocery items; seven varieties of rice and khichri; three varieties of tea; five kinds of sugar; three types of salt; atta; desi ghee; spices; pickles; jams; honey; mineral water; and noodles.

Rahim said that the raw material for the products would be cultivated on Dera land, benefitting farmers who cultivate crops in accordance with the company’s strict quality standards. “Our motive is not to compete with anyone in the market. However, we appeal to other companies that they come up with organic products too, so the people of our nation can become healthier,” he said.

The Dera chief spoke at length on the ill-effects of using modern fertilisers and pesticides. “There’s just something I want to share,” he said. “When I was in Maharashtra for some time, I found farmers injecting chemicals into vegetables, and using toxic sprays and pesticides that are harmful to both man and animal. After that, they would harvest the crop the very next day for a hurried sale. It was then that I decided to enter the business of providing organic food to the people.”