Rintu Kalyani Rathod needs no introduction. We all know her as the maker of Chocolate Ganesha Idols which are immersed in milk and the resultant chocolate milk is then fed to hundreds of underprivileged kids in Mumbai.
A designer by profession and a home baker by choice she specializes in life-sized cakes and sculpted chocolate marvels! Her gorgeously designed wedding cakes and tailor-made special occasion confections are simply irresistible when it comes to taste or intricacies.
She is also an avid traveler, an adventure-sports enthusiast, a Bharatanatyam dancer, a painter, a wife, a mother, a Sufi at heart and most of all an Inventor. Her creation of Eco- Friendly Chocolate Ganesha has gained her multiple awards and worldwide recognition.
We decided to chat with her and despite being just before the Ganpati Utsav she still managed to give us her valuable time from her busy schedule. Here are the details of the winning interview of our Winning Stree.
1.Who are You and How are You into What You Do?
“Hi, my name is Rintu Kalyani Rathod. I’m a trained Commercial Designer. I’ve studied at the prestigious faculty of fine arts, M.S. University, Baroda. My Graduation was done in Commercial Designing while I did my masters in Journalism & Mass Communications winning a gold medal in the latter. I was a designer by profession but I turned into a full-time mother post my son was born. That is when I decided to follow my heart and instincts. I combined my two passions – Designing & Baking which has made me who I am today. Designing & Baking works as a lethal combination and helps me create edible masterpieces which can turn anyone’s dream fantasies into reality.”
2.Tell Us About Your Journey?
“From a person who didn’t know how to make tea when she got married to the internationally known chocolate artist, it has been an amazing journey so far filled with passion and inventions. When my son was born I decided to leave my job and start my home baking company called ‘Rini Bakes – Bake My Dreams’ which baked 3D eggless cakes. I have won many awards since then for my creations including international fame for my Chocolate Ganesha.”
3.How Did You Get into Making Eco-Friendly Chocolate Ganesha’s?
“I used to go for regular morning walks along the Juhu beach. Being an ardent Ganesha follower, the sight of broken Ganesha idols strewn all over the beach was both intolerable and heart-wrenching for me. That is when the designer and baker in me decided to make eco-friendly Ganesha’s. The first eco-friendly Ganesha that I made was of sugar in 2011 which was also immersed in milk. The larger purpose behind making Chocolate Ganesha was to feed underprivileged children. I started in 2014 and could feed only 1100 children that year. Next year, I made a bigger idol using 35 Kgs of chocolate with no added preservatives and immersed it in 90 liters of milk. The milk prasad filled hundreds of underprivileged kids with happiness and a portion of Bappa remained etched forever inside them.”
4.How are You Associated with the Food Army?
“I spear-headed the Food Army along with a team of housewives in Mumbai to help the flood-affected Kashmir and earthquake struck Nepal in the year 2014 and 2015 respectively. We texted people on WhatsApp asking for help. In no time, we had gathered around 1 lakh theplas which were then air-borne to reach the affected. This year the Food Army worked on collecting 40,000 kg of dry food packets (Dry Upma, Rice, Tur Dal & Milk Powder etc.) to be sent to the flood-affected Kerala. The food army received appreciations from all corners, including the Chief Minister of Maharashtra’s Office and also received wide coverage on media.”
5.That Winning Stree Moment
“I have conducted several free workshops already to teach people the procedure of making a chocolate Ganesha idol. I have also put up a YouTube video on how to make Chocolate Ganesha in 5 minutes using five 5-Star bars. Many people have joined hands and are making eco-friendly chocolate Ganeshas these days. When I realize so many people are earning their bread and butter now following my concept of chocolate Ganesha visarjan in milk, it gives me immense satisfaction and makes me a Winning Stree.”
Video Link – How To Make Chocolate Ganesha in 5 minutes using Five 5-Star Bars
6.Three Words You Say to Yourself When in Front of a Mirror
“Be the Change.”
7.Winning Message to Other Women
“Do not Quit. Do not settle for less than what you deserve. Remember, Change starts with YOU.”
8.What Difficulties did You Face while Fulfilling your Dreams?
“I don’t consider them as difficulties. I rather turn them into stepping stones.”
9.What Makes You Extraordinary?
“My ideas and innovations”.
10.Your Favorite Quote that You Believe In
“Be the change you want to see in the world!”
Rintu can be reached At —
We wish you the very best Rintu! You are truly empowered & an empowering Winning Stree.
