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Mahatma Gandhi always
preferred “production by
masses over mass
production”. We need to
understand the inherent
advantages in Gandhi’s
proposal for a sustainable
economy and equitable wealth
distribution.
Prof Anil Gupta during his
visit to Warangal in
October, 2009, suggested
creating a “Social Venture
Fund” for promoting the
entrepreneurs of the dist.
Many entrepreneurs do not
start their ventures due to
lack of venture funds and
thereby the society loses
out on the entrepreneurship
of rural people.
Warangal though has an
annual trade of over 1000
crores, it does not have any
significant industry. While
the investment is available
with traders, considerable
number of entrepreneurs in
the dist has no access to
it. We need to fill this gap
by creating a Fund, say Rs
ten crores, which is
available on merit to any
entrepreneur of the
district. The elders of the
society need to create a
climate in the district for
promoting youth to venture
into small enterprises,
which cater to the needs of
the district. These bold men
and women can come from
anywhere as long as they
are natives of the district,
and passionate about serving
the people of Warangal dist.
Exporting goods out of
district could also be
considered as secondary
purpose. Criteria should be
laid down and a committee
consisting of few eminent
persons with social,
financial, commercial,
management and logistics
background identify the
potential entrepreneurs.
Broader aim being to
approach self sufficiency in
the district by promoting
production within the
district, utilizing local
resources, local people, for
local customers and with
suitable technology obtained
externally.
Broad objectives are:
-
Promotion of youth to
start small ventures in
the district - thereby
creating employment
-
Produce items required
by people of Warangal
within the district.
-
Utilization of the
available investment
within district for its
rapid growth and self
sufficiency.
-
Attempt to produce
products which are
useful to the majority
of the villagers and at
an affordable price.
-
Undertake manufacture of
those devices and
equipment, which
enhances the
productivity of rural
people.
-
Make products to the
choice and needs of
people of Warangal.
-
Create jobs and prevent
young people choosing
entrepreneurship over
jobs.
-
Retain talent in the
district by creating
opportunities to make
their dreams realize.
-
Provide cheaper,
appropriate and quality
goods to the people of
the district.
-
Build a strong sense of
belonging in the
district among all
sections by displaying
sensitivity to the each
one of their needs and
aspirations.
-
Give an opportunity to
the wealth created in
the district to
distribute itself over
many people in the
district.
-
Towards building a happy
society with sustainable
development, equitable
wealth, peace and
compassion. In one word
“SAMRUDDHI”.
A group of like minded
elders of the district may
come together to formulate
guidelines to create and
utilize the “Social venture
Fund” in Warangal district.
Honeybee AP and NIF are
willing to facilitate the
process throughout.
Social
Venture Fund (SVF)
Size:
Rs Ten Crores to start with
Objectives:
·
To provide funds to local
entrepreneurs who prose to
manufacture goods and
services for the people of
Warangal district using the
local resources, generating
employment to locals,
preferably replacing full or
part of the present imports
to the District.
·
To add value to the local
produce using appropriate
technology and using local
human resource, for the
purpose of export out of
district for earning more
revenue for the people of
the district. Provide at
cheaper prices but at
competitive quality to the
consumers within the
district.
·
Ensure the available surplus
financial capital is
employed mostly within
district to generate
employment, reduce imports
and enhance the value of
exports. Leverage the social
capital by promoting and
mentoring the new generation
of entrepreneurs in hundreds
within district irrespective
of the geographical location
and education.
·
In the first year of
operation of SVF, achieve
the following targets:
o
Promote 50 entrepreneurs –
all native of the district
o
Reduce two items now being
imported into the district
equivalent to 20% of the
entire imports.
o
Enhance the export value by
10% through value addition
within the district
o
Develop skilled workers
required by the
agro-industry within the
district by practical
training in the field.
o
Increase the productivity of
Cotton, mango and chilli
farmers by 20% through
supply of appropriate
technologies and traditional
sustainable methods.
Implementation:
SVF will be
managed by a Susthira
Warangal Zilla Sadhana
Samithi (SWZSS), which
should comprise of people
that are passionate about
sustainable development of
the district by promoting
local talent, local
resources, for the growth of
local people and for
increasing their comfort.
Preferably, the politicians,
Govt servants, academicians
should be kept out. Members
may be drawn from the
following:
·
Eminent elders known for
their service to the people
of Warangal district.
·
Natives of Warangal district
with passion to see Warangal
a sustainable, model to the
entire country.
·
Young and dynamic leaders of
the society, wherever
available in the district.
·
Women who understand the
people and their needs.
·
Retired Defence, IAS and
Police officers who are
settled down in the district
after retirement to keep in
touch with roots.
·
Eminent educationists of age
above 70 years.
·
Senior traders.
·
Industrialists above the 70
years of age.
·
Progressive Farmers of any
age.
·
Tribal leaders who took up
the cause of sustaining the
traditional knowledge and
practices.
·
Few artists of folklore and
fine arts.
Initially, the SWZSS may
have only 20 members drawn
from above categories and
each member will have a term
of two years. One
third to be changed every
year. This will ensure
adequate continuity.
Special invitees with no
voting rights could be
co-opted based on the type
of discussion and the agenda
for each meeting. A panel of
such special invitees could
be drawn up and nominated
for each meeting ‘as on
required’ basis. Idea is
that the decision making is
in the hands of committee
members and the special
invitees may provide their
views and expertise on a
particular agenda.
The SWZSS should not be
doing what the formal system
or NGOs are doing now. Their
actions and initiatives
should supplement or
complement the other plans
of district development. The
area of entrepreneurship
should be so selected that
no other organization should
feel that they are being
encroached upon. This is
possible with deliberate
effort and clearly
understanding the role of
other agencies operating in
the district.
It should be the endeavour
of the SWZSS to remain the
key committee and yet not
tread upon others
responsibilities. A day
should come when all other
agencies in the district
should consider the role of
the SWZSS first and then
plan their activity. I am
sanguine such a day is not
very far as SWZSS “manasa,
vacha, karmana”
should endeavour to bring
tangible, sustainable and
equitable growth to the
people of Warangal district
in a reasonable time line.
Methodology
Undertake wide publicity of
the SVF and its objectives
to reach every all 1800
villages of the district.
Invite applications from
potential entrepreneurs on a
simple format. All of them
may not be able to prepare a
business plan. SWZSS, based
on prima facie examination
of the idea, may assign
mentors to prepare the
business plan and present it
to the SWZSS. Decision is
taken after examining the
case with high level of
objectivity.
Mile
Stones for Commissioning
SWZSC
December
2010
·
Elders and well wishers from
the district to decide on
the constitution of SWZSS.
·
Formation of Search
Committee to select members
for SWZSS.
January 2011
·
SWZSS is constituted. Elect
Chairman preferably
unanimously.
·
Form sub committees to frame
Rules for resource
generation, accounting and
implementation methodology
for achieving the objectives
of the SVF.
February 2011
·
SWZSS to approve Rules etc
·
Commence functioning. Give
wide publicity of SVF and
its objectives.
·
Invite applications from
entrepreneurs.
Apr 2011
·
Approve first batch of
entrepreneurs.
And go on…………..till
Warangal district becomes a
model to the country and
entire world within 5 years
with equitable, sustainable
and high rate of growth and
enhanced quality of life.
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