The morning in Sirodi village, Chittorgarh begins with the chirping of birds and the soft golden hues of the rising sun. But for twelve-year-old Rahul Gargi, the day starts even before the first light of dawn. Rahul is a 5th grade student at Rajkiya Ucch Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Sirodi, in Chittorgarh. While most children his age are still lost in dreams, Rahul is already at work, tending to his buffaloes. He moves swiftly, pouring fresh fodder into their troughs, ensuring each one gets its share. The older buffaloes munch lazily, while the younger calves nuzzle against him, their soft eyes gleaming with affection.

This is Rahul’s world. His world revolves around his family, school and his buffaloes. Speaking of his family, he says, “My parents, Roshanlal Gargi and Ranidevi and my elder brother, Hitesh, are farmers.” But unlike most boys his age, Rahul is not just a school student, he is the caretaker of the family’s livestock. Milking the buffaloes, bathing them, taking them out for grazing, and even making dung cakes for fuel are not chores to him, but responsibilities he has embraced with pride. His parents, seeing his dedication, have entrusted him with this vital task.

His bond with the buffaloes is unbreakable. He talks to them, understands their moods and even names them. “There’s one black one. Her name is Bhuri. She’s the most stubborn of them all,” he says.  “My whole day goes by spending time with my buffaloes. We have eight buffaloes,” he adds further. Despite his deep love for his buffaloes, Rahul is not just a farm boy. Beneath his playful nature and farm boy image lies a sharp mind—one that dreams not of running away from village life, but of turning it into a thriving business empire.

"I want to start my own animal husbandry centre," Rahul declares with confidence. And this is not just a vague ambition—it’s a well-thought-out, thoroughly researched plan. Unlike most children who dream of their future in broad strokes, Rahul has already laid out each step of his entrepreneurial journey. Rahul knows that to build something big, investment is key. “A high-breed Gir cow costs around ₹50,000,” he explains with the precision of a seasoned businessman. About his plan, he says, “I will take a loan of ₹10 lakhs by mortgaging a part of my family’s land. With this money, I will purchase 20 Gir cows. It is a breed known for its high milk production.

But buying cows is just the beginning. Managing them efficiently is the real challenge and Rahul already has a strategy for that too. Instead of following traditional methods, he wants to introduce modern technology in his farm. He says, “I will set up an automated fodder distribution system to ensure the cows get timely and proper nutrition. In addition to that I will hire two workers to handle the milking, cleaning, and feeding cows. With this, I can ensure that the cows are always well taken care of.”

Rahul's revenue plan is as structured as his business idea. He says, “Each cow will give approximately 12 litres of milk daily. Half of this milk will be sold directly to consumers, while the other half will be stored in cold storage for making dairy products such as paneer, curd and buttermilk.” Rahul even has plans to expand his business to different regions. He says, “My goal is to gradually expand my business, first within Sirodi, then Chittorgarh and eventually to surrounding regions. I don’t want to sell just raw milk. It will give only limited profit. I want to create a dairy brand—something that sells its own products. That’s where the real money is," he says thoughtfully.

Despite his sharp business mind, Rahul has an interesting perspective on education. He admits that studying is not his favourite thing, but he understands its importance. “I will complete graduation because to run a business, you need to be educated too.” His words reflect his maturity—an understanding that while passion drives a business, knowledge sustains it.

Even at school, he is known for his mischief, energy and bright smile. Always up to something, he can be found playing pranks on his classmates or making them laugh. With a schedule packed with responsibilities, Rahul has little time to worry about food. Thankfully, Akshaya Patra, the implementing partner of The Government of India’s PM POSHAN Abhiyaan, ensures that he and his classmates receive nutritious meals every day. “I enjoy milk, daliya and dal-rice served at school. The food is tasty,” he says while finishing his second serving of hot and sweet milk in the cold winters of Chittorgarh.  

These meals, rich in essential nutrients, keep him active and energetic throughout the day. Akshaya Patra’s school feeding programme does more than feed children. It supports both SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), ensuring that 2.5 million like Rahul eat healthy, stay fit and continue studying hard to achieve their aspirations. 

For now, Rahul continues to wake up at 6 a.m., milk his buffaloes, attend school, and spend evenings either tending to his animals or sketching out new business plans. His life is busy, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. His dreams are not impossible fantasies; they are real and calculated aspirations. He is not waiting for an opportunity—he is creating it himself.