Bharat’s Micropreneurs!

When I started writing in 2009, I had hardly imagined that I will last this long but here I am, sharing my musings through the 294th issue of Samhita. Over the last 14 years, several topics have been covered – triumphs and tribulations of ordinary people, highs and lows of the economy, learnings from personal and professional challenges and many a times just musings about simple, every day happenings around me. 

This time I am compelled to focus on the micropreneurs (micro-entrepreneurs) in our society who are unsung and unheralded but uplift the economy in their own, quiet way.

• After watching the spectacular Ganga aarti on the Assi Ghat at Varanasi, in the early hours of a mild wintry November morning, I wanted something warm to drink. I was missing the masala lemon chai that I had had on a boat ride, in my previous visit to the holy city. And lo, there he was – Raj, the chaiwallah with a mobile stove and kettle for hot water along with a plastic bucket that had neatly arranged paper cups, half-cut fresh lemons, his specially ground masala and an elegant tray to serve. It was a fully-equipped mobile tea unit with the most important part pasted on the bucket outside – QR code for payment. It was so convenient and seamless. He was all set, selling hot chai early in the morning at 5.30am. Amazing to see the penetration of technology almost everywhere. Convenience, comfort and ease of use !
• I came across Jai, a Mehendi artist, recently through a reference. Originally from Ayodhya, he has made Bengaluru his home since 13 years. Attached to a small, Fancy Bangle Store (that’s how these small shops that sell cosmetics, bangles, bindis, rakhis, balloons etc. are known !), he has a team of his own and takes up mehendi contracts for weddings and other events. What impressed me most was that I texted him at 8pm and by 9pm he was at home, having answered my messages in Hindi in English script and finding his way through google maps. Jai came fully armed with his album of mehendi designs and client testimonials that he had got on his whatsapp. Patiently he explained the differences between Arabic and Indian mehendi designs (I never knew they were different), what ingredients he would use in the mix, from where he would source in Rajasthan, how many team members would come and what his charges would be. He was fluent in Hindi, and comfortable in Kannada with manageable English. His supreme confidence, pride in his trade and quick customer response struck me the most and I immediately made a booking advance – on his Gpay number. Cash was only an option and he preferred the banking channel. I was hunting for a mehendi artist for days and here was Jai, a micro entrepreneur, coming to my doorstep to offer his services and closing the ‘contract’ so to say ! Rajs and Jais have adopted to technology extensively and are contributing to our economy in their own way.
• I guess I have written about one of my relatives, Shekar (name changed) a few times in the past.  He never fails to amaze me with his optimism, guts, resilience and ambition. All of this is coupled with his hardwork, dedication, commitment, excellent planning and execution.  Less than a decade ago, he and his wife started off a small darshini hotel and today he has set up a 70 bed Paying Guest accommodation in the heart of Bengaluru with all amenities and tasty food that comes from his own hotel. Shekar is an ITI graduate who has tried his hand at almost everything in life from selling clothes in a store to working as a security guard to servicing medical equipments to becoming an entrepreneur. With his wife in tow, he has provided jobs to many and served several meals during the pandemic. Each time I speak to him, he is brimming with confidence and enthusiasm to do something different and something better. He is just about filling up his PG and there he is dreaming, nay, planning how to expand and where to set up another one on the same lines.  Adapting to technology thanks to ease of use has helped him market through his insta page and self-made marketing videos. Personal challenges haven’t dampened his spirit nor the so-called vagaries of the economy. His motto is ‘chalte raho’!

As I urge you all to scroll down and catch up with the regulatory information for November, 2023 I am reminded of these lines from a popular Kannada song by Sonu Nigam

yenagali, munde saagu nee,
bayasiddella sigadu baalali……….
(Whatever happens, keep moving forward though you may not get all that you desire in life)

As we step into our 15th year of publication, I wish to place on record all the support and encouragement received over the years from several readers, technical support from our vendor-partners, articles and news compilations done by our own team members and also external professionals who have spared their valuable time,  pro bono for keeping Samhita alive!

For any previous issues of Samhita and the readers’ feedback, please visit
https://sharadasc.com/samhita/