Why Was 'BTech Pani Puri Wali' Slammed For Using Thar To Tow Cart?

Amid the bustling streets of Delhi's Tilak Nagar, a culinary entrepreneur emerged from the ordinary, capturing the attention of social media. Tapsi Upadhyay, famously known as 'BTech Pani Puri Wali,' has not only carved a niche for herself but has also faced unexpected criticism for her unconventional approach. 

Let's delve into the journey of this 22-year-old entrepreneur who transformed a humble pani puri cart into a nationwide sensation.

From Scooty To Thar

Tapsi Upadhyay's culinary journey commenced with humble beginnings, relying on a scooty to tow her paani puri cart. Undeterred by challenges, she progressed to using a bike and eventually upgraded to the rugged Mahindra Thar in November of the previous year. The transition, however, was not without its share of online backlash. Negative comments inundated her social media, questioning the appropriateness of utilizing the Thar for such unconventional purposes.

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"My journey began with a Scooty as I used it to tow my cart. Later, I used a bike and then bought a Thar in November last year. But soon after I began using the Thar to tow my cart, people posted negative comments. I got so much hate online and was demotivated," she expressed.

Defying Conventional Norms

Tapsi defended her choice vehemently, emphasizing that she purchased the Thar through EMI, showcasing financial prudence. "I was slammed for using my Thar, which I had bought on EMI, to tow my cart. I don't think there should be a problem with this. I saved up money and bought my Thar on EMI," she added, defiantly challenging the stereotypes associated with her unconventional business methods.

In a surprising turn of events, Anand Mahindra, the Chairman of the Mahindra Group, came forward to applaud Tapsi's entrepreneurial journey. Expressing his admiration in a post on 'X,' Mr Mahindra highlighted the essence of off-road vehicles in facilitating exploration and the pursuit of dreams. "What are off-road vehicles meant to do? Help people go places they haven't been able to before. Help people explore the impossible. Now you know why I love this video," he remarked.

Gratitude and Expansion

Despite the initial backlash, Tapsi expressed gratitude towards Anand Mahindra for recognizing and appreciating her work. "When I saw Anand Mahindra sharing my video and praising my work, I was very happy. I am so grateful that such a famous personality took note of the work that I do and appreciated me for it," she acknowledged.

From a modest stall in Tilak Nagar, Tapsi Upadhyay has now expanded her venture to operate over 40 pani puri stalls across India, proving that resilience and innovation can overcome societal norms.