Spreading Love & Light

Arushi Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Sevā India, makes a strong case for women with the spirit of selfless service. The accomplished entrepreneur walks us through the joy of seva through her luxury home fragrance collection.

- Rachna Virdi

Candles are looked at as a symbol of luxury in the home décor space. But Arushi Agrawal had a different plan. She wished to spread love and light through candles and also bring joy to those suffering in the dark. Her spirit of seva (service) and belief in ‘luxury for a cause’ led her to embark on an entrepreneurial journey. Combining her passion for craftsmanship, dedication to sustainability, and belief in the power of service, she established Sevā India and realised her vision of serving humanity. “The idea was to launch a brand that focused on creating high-quality candles and also made a positive impact on the society,” affirms the Founder-CEO of Sevā India. The home fragrance brand sets itself apart with its philosophy that resonates with its customers.

Born into an elite Marwari family of Surya and Ritu Jhunjhunwala, a young Arushi Agrawal always had the urge of giving back to the community. “I was born in Hong Kong where we lived as a joint family before we moved to Singapore. My father’s company Hind Corporation was into watches and I remember going with my cousins to the factory all the time to watch our fathers manage their business. My mother started a restaurant called Rang Mahal in Singapore and I have distinct memories of how she juggled her business and kids.” While studying her Bachelor’s in Science at Babson College, Boston, she took up internships during summer breaks to learn the nuances of entrepreneurship. After postgraduation, she joined her mother’s business of hospitality before getting married to Aayush Agrawal, founder of Lenexis Foodworks and Inspira Realty, a real estate company in 2014 in Mumbai.

Bridging the gap