Dastkar Andhra Exibition in Bangalore

The cotton and handloom industry is considered as a huge potential as 'cottage industry' in India. This industry provides self-employment to over 70 lakhs people across the country. Government of India has taken appropriate measures to ensure that this industry is given due importance and this resulted in a massive increase of production of handloom fabrics. In the early 1950's the produce was around 500 Million Sq. Meters, and during 2000-2001, recorded more than 7600 Million Sq. Meters. This industry contributes to more than 20% of total cloth produced in the country.

This industry has its own set of concerns and the powerloom sector gives a very tough competition. There are non-profit organizations which are working towards providing a helping hand to such small scale home / cottage industries to reach out to the world.

Dastakar Andhra is a not-for-profit organization which works within Andhra Pradesh to promote the interests of the producer communities within the cotton handloom weaving industry.

Dastakar Andha is having an exibition of equisite handloom fabrics, dupattas and sarees including natural dyed fabrics in Bangalore.
Venue: The Lady Jehangir Kothari Memorial Hall, 15 Quees Road, Bangalore - 01.
Dates: 1 June - 4 June 2007.
Time: 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM.

If you are in Bangalore, do take some time to visit...

Entrepreneurship Learning

I came across the web site of Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), Ahmadabad. This institute offers courses for aspiring entrepreneur's. Do any courses or books give you the edge to become an Entrepreneur? Probably not, but we definitely need understanding of various aspects of how to run an organization. This is what we need to look for. I am planning to enroll for the Diploma in Business Entrepreneurship. The course fee is only Rs.5000 (in case you are a Technology graduate, they give you Rs.2,500 instant waiver in fees).
I am really impressed with the kind of support various educational and government organizations are providing us to learn more and inspire to take the country forward. I think it is moral responsibility for each of us to ensure we utilize these courses/seminars/workshops to think forward.

Social Entrepreneurship - The case for Definition

Recently, I came across Stanford Social Innovation Review web site and I got to read they article on Social Entrepreneurship - The case for Definition which really interested me. I will not take this note towards explaining the site or the article, but will pen down my initial impression when I read this article by Roger L Martin & Sally Osberg.

It is really a case for definition. The article begins with a little introduction to Muhammad Yunus of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, but actually concentrates in defining what "Social Entrepreneurship" is all about. If you think that you are going to get introduced to organizations like Ashoka etc, then you might be disappointed. The authors take you to a journey into defining Entrepreneurship and why is it passonating to "be there, and do that".

It is worth if you personally read it than me trying to write in my own words.

I highly recommed each one to read this article. It is really worth it....

Rural BPO

I was reading about this organization in the recent issue of Business Today (India's Most Wired, 22 April, 2007) and have been quite impressed with the young lady's initiative.

Ms.Saloni malhotra, a 25 year old graduate from Bharateeya Vidyapeeth, Pune is inspired by Dr.Ashok Jhunjhunwala's speeches. Her mission is to "turn rural internet centers into BPO's".

DesiCrew.In, based in Chennai, acts as a mediator between the client and the far end BPO. The internet center in a Rural area acts as a BPO. The work is channalised to the Rural BPO through DesiCrew. The BPO is not more than a 3 computer center with Internet and Network. The employed are people living in the area with minimum education/knowledge in English/language which is required to get the work done (Its not that simple, DesiCrew has a rigourous selection criteria) . Kinds of work includes - Data entry, Digitisation of records for Government, proof reading of books and little of CAD work. These BPO's have delivered work for around 20 clients till date (this is just few months old organisation). Work pricing ranges from Rs.20,000 (~$480) to Rs.3,00,000 (~$7,186) and this in return earns around Rs.8,000 ($192) to Rs.12,000 ($287) per month which is quite impressive to begin with. Current strength of the organization is around 60 and Ms.Saloni anticipates that this would grow to around 200 people this year.

This is a very small beginning and DesiCrew wants to build the world's best network of service providers.

Visit the website and it has upto the point information available. The site is very simple, yet elegent. Now, this is what I call SocialEntrepreneurship.

Excellent job...

Silence for a long time...

I have recently changed role in my company. Now, I manage consulting teams (out from Testing after 6 Years) and have been busy since then. I thought this move made sense as I would have the option of seeing how other parts of the Project Lifecycle work. As this is a new team which we are forming as part of the India Operations, it has been challenging for me too, which is very very interesting. This is not a reason for me to be silent, but yes, this is one of the key reasons for my silence.

Bangalore BarCamp3
BCB3 is happening today and tomorrow at IIM,Bangalore campus. Even though I signed up to be a volunteer in organizing this camp (the topic is very close to my heart and this is what i am interested in doing), I could not participate as I am currently travelling. Here I am in sitting in a Hotel room in London, been sick for last week due to bad weather :(
However, my friends in BCB3 are online and been blogging continiously giving virtual people like us access to what is happening there live!
Check out http://muthuonline.com/

My latest Reading
Interesting book which I picked up at Bangalore airport just before i flew out - CHINDIA, How China and India are Revolutionizing Global Business. Could not get through the complete book yet, but it is giving a glimpse of the differences between the two countries and how the world is looking at them. Will post more information once I get through it...

Bangalore BarCamp 3.0

It's long time since I penned. Beginning of the year, I took a vow that I will write once a week (at least once in two weeks). But, since then, my weekends have been taking me away for various things...Life is going on...

Coming to the point, we are having Bangalore BarCamp 3.0 on the 31 March and 1 April. Theam this time is going to be around SocialTech, my area of interest and life. Unfortunately, I will be travelling during those dates and will not be able to make it for the un-conference.

I am sure I can keep myself posted with live blogging.....

YHIS

The Yeshaswini Health Insurance Scheme (YHIS) is a unique initiative by Government of Karnataka, India. Under this scheme, HealthCare services are provided to farmers at an Insurance premium of Rs.10 per month.

This article in HealthCare Management outlines the program - http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/200601/focus01.shtml

The following paper provides in-depth information on the same - http://www.isec.ac.in/Karnataka_Kuruvilla16.5.05_aligned.pdf