Welcome to my story!
I was born into a business family in Agra, and from the very beginning, my family has always been very supportive of whatever path I chose. It was never decided that I had to stay in Agra or follow a certain way. I have always been a free-spirited person, and I chose to take my own path. Today, I believe I have a strong determination and a desire to enjoy life as it comes. Growing up in a town known for the Taj Mahal, a symbol of love and dedication, inspires me to leave my own lasting mark on the world.
"I'm moving with the speed of Tachyon because I'm still playing with Crayons"
-Malay Bansal
Personal Life
From 2005 to 2017, I studied at DPS Agra. I wasn’t a topper, but I did well socially and made a lot of friends. Table tennis and chess were my favourite hobbies, and I still enjoy them today. I was proud to play table tennis at the state level.
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During school, I got interested in graphic design, web development, and making websites. I even finished a two-year course in just six months. I didn’t wait for a certificate, I felt my skills were enough proof of what I had learned.
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After school, I went to Ram Lal Anand College, Delhi University. Moving from Agra to Delhi was a big change for me. It helped me grow, learn new things, and make close friends. I also started the Entrepreneurship Cell there to help other students explore business ideas.
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Because I care about the environment, I joined the Water Harvesting and Management program at IGNOU after working on rainwater harvesting myself. I realised I learn best by doing things, not just reading about them.
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Over time, I also developed a strong interest in law, whether it’s protecting my business ideas, standing up for consumers, or using RTI to get work done from government departments. I’m also a consumer activist and often take action against unfair practices. Now, I plan to study law (LLB), not just for the degree, but so I can represent myself in court. My mom always jokes that if I become a lawyer, I’ll surely win the battles I take on.
Fight For Social Causes
I believe in standing up for what’s right. As an RTI activist, I use the law to get important government information that helps people and fights corruption. I’ve even won cases at the Central Information Commission, which makes government work more transparent.
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I also speak up for consumer rights. If a business treats customers unfairly, I take action and sometimes send legal notices. In 2017, I challenged a well-known hotel for overcharging on water bottles. Their apology felt like a small but important win for fairness and honesty.
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These experiences have shaped how I run my own businesses, always with honesty, transparency, and customer care as the top priorities.
The Year of Transformation
2023 was a turning point for me. Until May, things were going fine, but then I got hurt and fell sick. I had to rest for two months, and my weight went up to 108 kg. Still, I didn’t give up. In just 45 days, I lost 24 kg and the first 18 kg without even going to a gym.
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That phase taught me to take care of myself both physically and mentally. I started being kinder to myself and paying more attention to my health and appearance. I also realised the value of staying true to myself, just like my friend Aditya always told me.
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In September, I joined BNI Ace in Greater Noida. Meeting new people there inspired me to start a business with my cousin brother in Greater Noida, without taking help from our families.
My Journey Back to Agra
After spending about one and a half years working in Greater Noida with my cousin brother, we decided to wind down that firm because he needed to be in Agra due to family reasons. During this time, I was involved with him in both growing Sheel Jal and trading wood and panel products simultaneously. At the same time, I was also closely involved in our family business in Agra, Malay Decor and Bansal Enterprises.
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I already knew about the government acts and rules supporting water conservation before joining BNI. What I gained there was practical experience and a better understanding of how these rules work in real life. But I also realized that in our region, unlike cities like Pune or Bangalore, there is no real water crisis yet. For many people, rainwater harvesting feels like just an extra expense and mostly a government requirement. So, they are only interested in the cheapest solutions available, whether or not they are effective in the long run.
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At first, I thought expanding Sheel Jal wouldn’t work in Agra, but Greater Noida surprised me, there are many industries there, yet the response wasn’t as expected. I came to see that the market was too early for the idea. In March 2025, I came back to Agra.
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One important lesson I learned was how critical team building is for business expansion. Now, my focus is on building that strong team here in Agra. I’m working on smart water automation at Sheel Jal and planning how to grow Malay Decor from Agra itself.
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This experience changed the way I think about business growth. It’s not necessary for a business to be in big Tier 1 cities to succeed. For the next few years, my plan is to manage and grow things from Agra and prove that success can come from here too.