Abha Singhal, born into a conventional Marwari family in Mumbai, faced adversity early in life when her parents divorced when she was just 12 years old. Her childhood was spent mostly in boarding schools, and adjusting to a new family setup was challenging.
Undeterred by life’s challenges, Abha was determined to take control of her destiny . She decided to apply for MBA in London with her own merit. Being academically good student and state-level basketball player she got through with partial scholarship and did multiple part-time jobs to support her remaining college fees. It was during this time that she developed a fondness for cooking Khichdi, a quick & affordable meal.
After completing her MBA, Abha Singhal returned to India but faced family issues and eventually left home with just two pairs of clothes. She moved into a Friend’s studio apartment, where a modest Rs 500 mattress served as her bed. Her struggle was real, but she never lost faith in her ability to overcome adversity.
Abha’s life took an unexpected turn when she was noticed by Ad director and was casted for big TV commercial. This unexpected stint, gave her instant recognition as a model, she was noticed by top production houses which led her grab several popular ad shoots modelling campaigns across the country for brands like Cadbury, Kalyan jewellers, Samsung and many more.
However, After working as a Model Actor for 3 years, She realized this was not a stable career path in the long run.
During this time, Abha’s talent for making delicious Khichdi was noticed by a friend, Mahen, who encouraged her to turn it into a business. Thus, “Khichdi Express” was born. Despite initial skepticism about the concept of a Khichdi “yeh to bimaro ka khana hai business nahi”, Abha stood firm.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Khichdi Express became a lifeline for many. It provided nourishing meals to patients and the homeless. Abha’s dedication earned her a Women Entrepreneur Award in 2022.
Today with branches Pan India, Khichdi Express is a multi-million-dollar company valued at 50 crores, with plans to reach 100 crores soon. Abha envisions expanding globally, making Khichdi Express a household name like McDonald’s or KFC.
Also read: The Talkspacez Story: Mental Wellness Made Accessible
