Mrs. Debodyuti Das Mandal grew up in a middle-class household near Kolkata, raised with traditional ideas of stability, security, and social respect. Academically inclined, she completed her graduation in English Honours and went on to pursue an MBA. While her heart leaned toward creativity and building something of her own, her family believed a government job was the safest and most respectable path. That belief soon became pressure. When her MBA final examinations clashed with a government job exam, she was compelled to choose the latter. She cleared the examination on her very first attempt and joined the West Bengal Education Department.
From the outside, it appeared to be a perfect life choice—prestige, stability, and a guaranteed income. But inwardly, she felt unfulfilled. The routine of a 9-to-5 job could not contain her ambition or curiosity. She longed to create, innovate, and make a larger impact. With the unwavering support of her husband, she made the boldest decision of her life: she resigned from a secure government position to pursue entrepreneurship.
The decision came with immense personal resistance. Her family and in-laws were deeply worried about financial security and societal perception. What followed was a difficult phase filled with emotional pressure, arguments, guilt, and uncertainty. Yet, she persisted, trusting her vision and inner strength.
Her entrepreneurial journey began with Captain X, an online fantasy sports platform. Entirely bootstrapped, the venture crossed 1,000 downloads and active users within just 15 days of launch, highlighting its strong market acceptance. However, regulatory changes in August 2025 led to the discontinuation of its real-money gaming component. Viewing this not as defeat but as a pivot point, she chose reinvention. Captain X is currently being upgraded and will relaunch with a compliant and more engaging proposition.
Her second venture, Draupadi’s, currently a Kolkata-based food and beverage brand, became a resounding success. Draupadi’s is celebrated for its authentic, hygienic, and homely food, offered at affordable prices—its strongest USP. The brand achieved profitability within 1.5 years, launched its own delivery app and flagship product “Garuda” within 2.5 years, and expanded to a second outlet in just three years. Every milestone was achieved through bootstrapping and self-funding.
Panchali’s, her third venture, is an e-commerce export platform dedicated to promoting India’s rich textile heritage. By empowering local artisans and taking traditional craftsmanship to global markets, the brand blends cultural preservation with modern business.
Her fourth venture is currently in stealth mode, being built from scratch in a booming industry—once again, fully self-funded.
Her skill set spans research and development, strategy, business development, marketing, operations, risk assessment, and execution. She has successfully built and scaled ventures across e-sports, F&B, and e-commerce exports while retaining complete ownership and decision-making control.
Her work has earned her significant recognition, including:
Business Mint (2022) – One of India’s 40 Promising Entrepreneurs Under 40
Glanter X (2023) – India’s Rising 50 Dynamic Femina
World Women Leadership Congress & EIILM Kolkata – East India’s Women Leader
Grace Ladies Global Academy, USA – Honorary Master’s in Womenpreneurship
Women Entrepreneurs Review Magazine (2024) – Top 10 Women Leaders from Kolkata
Outlook India (2025) – 40 Under 40
Beyond business, she is a trained singer, a passionate cook, and an avid lover of crime thrillers. Spiritually, Lord Krishna is her mentor and guiding force—his wisdom shaping her decisions and anchoring her during moments of uncertainty. Her journey stands as a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
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