Story of struggle, Dalits of Bihar are progressing in industry and business also
Today is the birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, chairman of the Constitution Draft Committee and the country’s highest Dalit leader. He dedicated his life for the overall development of Dalits. Today the Dalits of Bihar are fulfilling their dreams. Prabhat Khabar has talked to some such Dalits.
Subodh Kumar Nandan, Patna. Today is the birthday of Constitution maker Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Baba Saheb’s dream has been social and economic equality of Dalits. Many Dalit entrepreneurs of Bihar are trying to make their dreams come true, who have set an example with their entrepreneurship and struggle. Dalits are also progressing rapidly in industry and business. They are also making a place in the world of business and industry. Dalits, who are backward in terms of contacts and resources, are facing difficulties in penetrating the strong fortifications of business, but they are engaged in this work with enthusiasm and are also getting success.
How did you reach your destination?
In this sequence, apart from the Bihar chapter of Dalit Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), other organizations have been working in Bihar for the last several years. Prabhat Khabar talked to Dalit entrepreneurs and businessmen about their struggle and how they reached this stage of success and how they will make their industry and business famous in the country and the world in the future. On this, an attempt was made to talk to Dalit entrepreneurs and businessmen to know their experiences in their own words.
They progressed after facing difficulties and are getting respect
Rakesh Kumar- Discrimination still exists, but attitudes are changing
Entrepreneur Rakesh Kumar said that since childhood I thought that my parents were into pig farming business. Business is not bad, but from social point of view people look at it differently. Whenever I read Baba Saheb’s biography, a special energy started flowing within me. I used to dream big. But even today we have to face social discrimination, which shakes our mind. After a lot of struggle I started my business. I applied under the Chief Minister Udyami Yojana and got a loan of Rs 10 lakh. Then I formed a note book company and within no time it became a company with a turnover of Rs 70 lakh.
Mukesh Kumar Das- Success in business was not easy for me.
Mukesh Kumar Das, a clerk, said that after giving the exam in the bank, my result started coming, but I kept getting shortlisted in the merit list again and again. On the other hand, the financial condition of my family started weakening day by day. Seeing the condition of my house, I started a small business. I got a loan from Andhra Bank in 2017. Then I built Ellora Footwear Industry Shoe Factory. From then on I started running the business. However, during this period many problems had to be faced. After some time, I started incurring huge losses, yet I did not leave the business. Hard work has paid off and today the turnover of my company is Rs 60-70 lakh per year.
Payal Kumari- I am giving employment to many people today
Female Dalit entrepreneur Payal Kumari said that I was born in a Rajak family in Muzaffarpur district. I have been interested in sewing and cutting since childhood. Therefore, I got the energy to convert this desire of mine into a business when I got married after Inter. My husband cooperated a lot to establish it as a business. I joined Jeevika group. I had to set up my own business, so the Department of Livelihood and Industry played an important role in making it a reality. My unit is of 2000 thousand square feet, which has been given by the state government BIADA. There are 24 machines in our unit in which 16 women and eight men work. Today I am providing employment to many people.
Nitish Kumar- built his own business by working hard day and night
Dalit entrepreneur Nitish Kumar says that I was born in the Dalit community in Bhagalpur district. I always wanted to start my own business, but got frustrated with the bank and did not get success. Then I participated in an entrepreneur development program run by the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where I got information about the Chief Minister Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe Entrepreneur Scheme run by the Government of Bihar. Working hard day and night, he formed a firm named Vijay Traders and established his own aluminum fabrication business. Within no time my company became a firm with a turnover of Rs 1 crore.
Captain Satya Prakash- People of Dalit community are providing employment to others today.
State President of DICCI (Bihar Chapter) Captain Satya Prakash says that influenced by the thoughts of Baba Saheb and Padmashree Milind Kamble, people of Dalit community are providing employment to others today. Any government bank can give loan to SC-ST community through RBI.
Is not meeting the guidelines. Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DICCI) which helps the government in making policies for the benefit of lower class entrepreneurs. Still, DICCI has not been given representation in the committees of many industries departments of the state government, due to which the work of those departments is not reviewed.
Dr AK Mehra – Dalits are developing job giving mindset
IT head DICCI Dr AK Mehra says that Baba Saheb has laid a lot of emphasis on economic strengthening and with this mission, DICCI (Bihar Chapter) is developing the thinking of giving jobs to the Dalit community by changing the thinking of providing jobs to it. Dicky Dalits are not an economic burden for the development of the state and the country, but an economic resource.