NEW DELHI: No one had ever thought one could become a billionaire business tycoon by telling people how to do yoga. Acharya Balkrishna , the CEO of yoga guru Baba Ramdev-run FMCG company Patanjali , is the eighth richest Indian, according to the Hurun India Rich List 2017. Balkrishna rose to the eighth position from 25th last year, after seeing his wealth grow by 173 per cent to Rs 70,000 crore.In March, 44-year-old Balkrishna figured in the Forbes list of the World's Billionaires at 814th spot. The report ranked 2,043 richest people in the world. Last year, he had entered the annual Forbes list of India's 100 Richest People at the 48th position with a net worth of $2.5 billion.Patanjali, with a turnover of Rs 10,561 crore in FY17, has been in close competition with major global brands. It is the second-largest pure-play FMCG giant after market leader Hindustan Unilever which had a turnover of Rs 30,783 crore in the previous fiscal. The home-grown fast-moving consumer goods company aims to double its turnover this fiscal.If Patanjali is able to double its turnover, HUL will come within its biting distance. There is a man who knows how it can be done and he is Balkrishna. He hasn't become a billionaire in a short span of time without reason. If you look at his spartan lifestyle and strong work ethic, you will be convinced the man is built for success.A confidant of Baba Ramdev, Balkrishna holds a 94% stake in Patanjali Ayurved, but he doesn't take home a salary. Yet, he works for 15 hours a day, even on Sundays and other holidays during the year. He claims he hasn't taken a single day's leave. "I work daily from 7 am to 10 pm. While a normal person would work for 8 hours a day, I work for 15 hours through the week. I am doing the job of five people," he says.When he began the journey 10 years ago on personal loans, Balkrishna didn't think Patanjali would come this far. "I had to take Rs 50-60 crore personal loan. Prior to this, I did not even have a personal account in a bank," said Balkrishna.Balkrishna was born in Nepal and studied with Ramdev at a gurukul in Haryana. In 1995, both of them set up Divya Pharmacy. In 2006, they set up Patanjali Ayurved.Balkrishna appears to have come out of the shadows of the past, when in 2011 a case of cheating was reportedly filed against him by the CBI. He was given a clean chit two years ago and has since emerged stronger.Balkrishna is determined to make Patanjali the FMCG leader in India. Major components of Balkrishna's growth strategy are: to double distributor strength to 12,000, invest Rs 5,000 crore in new plants, increase headcount five-fold to five lakh within a year, and set up a new restaurant chain.