Patna, Aug. 30: The makhana (gorgon nut), a healthy and nutritious snack from Bihar, went global today.

Patna’s Shakti Sudha Industries launched its e-commerce initiative formally, as Bihar took its first step towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “come, make in India and made in India” policy articulated on Independence Day.

The website, since its launch received 182 hits. The first order (of Rs 800) was placed from Chennai.

Shaibal Gupta of Asian Development Research Institute said: “This project will be a big boost for Bihar’s economy. The state has always been known as a market to sell products. By this global initiative, Bihar’s name will shine worldwide and business will bloom.”

Shakti Sudha’s chief executive officer Satyajit Kumar Singh, while addressing guests such as Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, said Modi’s appeal impressed him.

“The initiative, the first of Bihar, comes along the same lines and will boost the state’s economy and investment. From Monday, anyone can log on to www.gorgonnut.com and place orders for the makhana products lined up. Deliveries within India will be made in 72 hours and it will take seven to 10 days for delivery outside the country,” he told The Telegraph.

He added that 500 cities in India and at least 100 countries will be serviced under this initiative. “The services abroad will start from September 15. We have also launched a customer service number (8084701705) for people in Patna,” he said.

Makhana, which grows in ponds and wetlands, has high nutritional value and doctors and nutritionists also spoke in its favour. Nutritionist Hemant Kumar said: “There are no side effects or toxicity in makhana, it is in fact rich is carbohydrates, unsaturated fat and proteins.”