Bhavesh Jhugroo: The Entrepreneur Who Makes Dreams Blossom

At just 27 years old, Bhavesh Jhugroo is transforming his passion for water lilies and lotus flowers into an ecological and entrepreneurial project that combines beauty, patience, and innovation.

Bhavesh kneels by a pond in Quatre-Bornes. With one hand in the water, he adjusts a swaying lotus leaf and checks the water level of a water lily, noting the color of a petal. In the silence of the garden, each movement is deliberate, almost mechanical, yet each plant responds to his presence.

As one of the young Mauritians reimagining the relationship between work and nature, Bhavesh works as a Debt Advisor at UK Debt Expert by day, dedicating the rest of his time to his passion for aquatic plants. What began as curiosity has evolved into a structured project, blending horticulture, art, and ecology. "I wanted to understand how a flower could thrive on water, without soil, almost in zero gravity," he says, gazing at a pale pink lotus.

It all began in 2019, on an ordinary afternoon. While walking along a river, Bhavesh noticed a flower floating on the water. "That was my first tropical water lily. I was captivated by its beauty and the calm it radiated." This encounter sparked an obsession. He read, observed, and compared. Nights became short and research abundant: flowering cycles, substrate types, light and temperature balance.

Gradually, his garden transformed into a laboratory. His first pond was cobbled together with improvised materials: a few pots, a water container, and suitable substrate. Nothing spectacular, but a visible rigor was already present. "I started small, in the family garden. Watching the first flower bloom brought me immense satisfaction."

As a self-taught enthusiast, he learned to identify different families of water lilies: tropicals, hardies, hybrids, and of course, lotus flowers, each with its own requirements. "Tropical varieties bloom almost year-round, while hardies primarily thrive from March to July. The lotus, on the other hand, blooms during the summer."

To enrich his collection, Bhavesh took a significant step: importing. He ordered hardy varieties like Chromatella, Alberta, and Attraction from the UK, and tropical and hybrid water lilies like Ostara and Orange Nagwang from India. His favorite remains the Buddha Lotus, a symbol of purity and spiritual serenity.

Through patience, his ponds grew in diversity and vibrancy. Colors spread across the spectrum: pink, white, yellow, purple, orange, and sometimes bicolored. "Each variety conveys a different emotion," he states simply. His social media posts soon garnered attention, with photos of his flower-laden ponds circulating. Initially, he received requests for advice, followed by orders. Unintentionally, Bhavesh became a seller of water lilies.

"People came to see my flowers and wanted to buy them. I realized my passion could become a small source of income." At the time, he was still a student. The sales helped fund some of his expenses but, more importantly, offered him a sense of freedom. "Every plant I sell is a piece of my garden I share. When my clients send me photos of their flowering ponds, it’s the greatest reward."

Today, his clients come from all over the island: individuals, collectors, garden centers, and even tourist spots looking to enhance their aquatic spaces. Bhavesh never intended to become an entrepreneur, yet his business gradually took shape. He learned to manage stock, plan flowering schedules, and balance import costs. He also discovered the logistics of delivery, customs delays, and the whims of climate. Nothing spectacular, but a consistent discipline.

Ultimately, what he cultivates is an approach: one of patient, ecological, and sober entrepreneurship. "I want to show that you can have an aquatic garden without waste. It’s all about balance and respecting nature." He favors natural methods, recycles rainwater, and minimizes fertilizer use. His philosophy is simple: produce without exhausting resources.

Beneath his tranquil demeanor, Bhavesh embodies a form of innovation: one that relies on slowness and constancy, countering the digital acceleration that captivates his generation. "Cultivating these plants teaches patience, serenity, and respect for time."

In Mauritian culture, the lotus and water lily hold special significance, present in prayers and ceremonies, symbolizing purity and peace. For Bhavesh, this symbolism transcends religion. "The lotus grows in mud but rises above the water, immaculate. It’s a life lesson: even in the most challenging situations, we can thrive and remain pure."

His garden has become a school of life, teaching him to wait, observe, and start anew. He found balance between two worlds: that of the office and that of nature. "In the evening, when I return from work, I take care of my ponds. It’s my moment of peace."

His project extends beyond cultivation. Bhavesh dreams of an educational place where children can learn to plant water lilies and understand aquatic biodiversity. "Aquatic plants purify water, attract life, and calm the mind. They play an essential ecological role."

He knows this dream will require time, resources, and perseverance, but he seems in no hurry. He measures his success by the beauty of his ponds, not their profitability. Yet Bhavesh remains ambitious. He hopes to expand his facilities, experiment with new varieties, and perhaps create his own Mauritian brand of hybrid lotus and water lilies. "It would be a dream to export ‘Made in Mauritius’ plants. To show that our island can also be a hub of innovative floriculture."

Far from the rhetoric of a ‘startup nation,’ his model rests on an economy of patience, learning, and consistency. "If you have a passion, don’t wait. Start small, learn, and persevere. In time, it can become much more than just a hobby."

In a world obsessed with speed, Bhavesh cultivates calm. His hand-tended ponds reflect this philosophy: every gesture matters, every leaf counts, and every day brings an imperceptible change. As the light fades in Quatre-Bornes, the lotus flowers slowly close. Bhavesh pauses for a moment, gazing at the still surface of the water and reflecting on what he has built: a space that mirrors him, discreet, demanding, and serene—fruits of patience and perseverance.