EDII designs special programmes for SC/ST entrepreneurs

To help Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe youth set up their own enterprise and tap their potential, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) has designed special programmes for existing and budding SC/ST entrepreneurs. The institute will conduct a special 'Entrepreneurship Development Training Programme' under National SC-ST Hub Scheme of Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

The one-month programme will begin next month and will be held at EDII campus. Out of six programmes, two will be residential, exclusively for ST entrepreneurs. Out of the remaining four non-residential programmes, two will be for existing entrepreneurs and two for new budding entrepreneurs from both categories.

Sharing details about it, professor Prakash Solanki, programme co-ordinator, EDII, said, "Right from selecting new business to guidance and information on new technology, the programme covers it all. Market research, information on government schemes, skill development, project report preparation, maintaining financial accounts, networking opportunities, field visit to industry, etc will also be taught."

"We will help participants in raising funds from financial institutions and government, which will ultimately boost the prospects of their new venture," he added.

EXPERTS SPEAK

Dr Nutan Kotak, English professor and Head of SC/ST cell at School of Languages in Gujarat University, said, "The biggest challenge that these students face is accommodation. While there are many community-run hostels like Patel hostels, there is not much in store for SC/ST students. If institutes offering courses to them also offer hostel facility at nominal rates, it will encourage them to pursue higher education."

She added, "These students have ideas but do not have the right exposure to start businesses. They often get stuck with basics. If they become entrepreneurs, they will not be dependent on the service sector, which will help them generate jobs for their own community."

Talking about the kind of issues faced by SC/ST entrepreneurs, Dalit Entrepreneur Mukesh Makwana said, "These budding entrepreneurs have ideas and product knowledge but they have little to no knowledge on bank transactions, documentation, taxation, project reports, registration, etc. Such courses, paid or free, will help a lot."