Editorials
by Rajen Kumar
No Escaping Social Media
Running a magazine concentrating on issues of small and medium enterprises and managing with limited resources is a like living life on the edge. In this rush of meeting deadlines,...
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Special Reports
Apr 2012EMRC, Brussels Associates with SME WORLD as its New Media Partner
EMRC has promoted business partnerships with the developing world and has organised dozens of business forums in key decision-making cities, such as Amsterdam, Rome,...
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The Last Word
SMEs Seminar minus SMEs
Rajen Kumar
Nov 2011
Nov 2011
It is rather lamentable that the seminars organized for the benefit of the small entrepreneurs fail to ensure their presence. One should not organize the event on weekdays as everyone is hard-pressed for time these days,” I suggested to one of the organizers. His answer baffled me. “You see, the chief guests only come on working days and during office hours. We are directed by the time they give us.” I still reasoned with him. “But the beneficiaries, after all, are the entrepreneurs.” He shrugged his shoulders and headed for the snack corner.
I caught hold of an entrepreneur- delegate. What do you think of the seminars organized to highlight the plight of SMEs. He was straight. “I came because I knew the organisers who insisted that I must bring along people. But then who has got the time and who will leave his office and attend. These are all subjective events.”
I met yet another service provider. He was more poignant in his approach. “Such events are good for networking. I am a financial consultant and I have yet to meet any entrepreneur.”
Seminars attract a few in the morning sessions and the crowds swell as the lunch time approaches. A lot many people are lured by the five-star lunch, of course. The post-lunch sessions, more often than not, go half-empty. “We are thankful to the delegates for coming in large numbers to make this seminar a grand success.” goes the vote of thanks. Wonder, how to have seminars for the entrepreneurs, by the entrepreneurs and of the entrepreneurs? Suggestions, if any, are welcome?
A Silver Lining
Who says Delhi's auto-drivers are an awful lot? May be not all. There is a silver lining in hopelessly dark clouds. Jai Prakash, 45, could be one of the very few auto drivers measuring the capital roads with proven credibility. It was a chance hiring him one day when I wanted to avoid driving. Expecting to start the battle for getting an auto, I half-heartedly asked him as he was sipping his morning tea nearby.“Connaught Place?” He said, “yes sir and why not”. The affirmation heartened me into disbelief. He immediately flagged down the meter; took off, drove cautiously and stuck to traffic rules. I was enjoying the ride. “How long you have been driving the auto?, I ask him. “Sir, 20 years.” More questions. “How many challans ?” His face brightened up. “Not a single challan so far, sir. I am very cautious of abiding by traffic rules. I have never jumped a red light till date.” I was pleasantly surprised to see this unique individual amongst an infamous breed. I asked him about his family.
“My wife, one son and one younger daughter. My son is doing his MBA from a private institute and my daughter is in 10th class and both are fairly good in studies,” his voice was a mix of smile and pride. How does he manage this colossal responsibility with the earnings from an auto ?” He told me that he doesn't drink, doesn't smoke and thus manages to save enough money for the household. He sounded worldly-wise. “Sir, I want my daughter to study the most as girls, you know, have to be married and they must stand on their feet. My son will make his own destiny. My duty is to provide him good education and that I am doing. I may be only 10th class pass but I want my children to face life bravely.”
Want to know more about Jai Prakash? Most of the traffic cops get to know him for his road discipline. “They are friendly and I often share a cup of tea with them,” he was all smiles. I saw his meter. It flashed Rs.51 on reaching my destination. He happily accepted Rs.50/-. “Sometimes passengers also leave Re.1 when there is a problem of change.” I thanked him and wished him good luck.
My age-old notions about auto drivers have since changed. There may be many auto drivers of the ilk of Jai Prakash on the capital roads, I am sure. They may be winning silent tributes from passengers like me.
The Taste of India
Seated beside me was a young boy from Lucknow in a flight to Dubai recently. He was busy on his laptop. I broke the ice. What takes you to UAE? “Sir, I am second year student of MBA in a UAE university,” he told me.
“But why UAE when there are good institutes in India,” I asked him. “What are your plans after completing your studies?” He was very sure of his plans. “It is for sure that I will not come back to India for at least five years.
I will find a job somewhere overseas and earn a good amount and then I will think of coming back to India.”
I needled him further. “Why not find a job in India as our country has newer work opportunities now.” He smiles. “No sir. Where are the packages that we get overseas and it is pleasure seeing the world. India is far away from development. Nothing has changed in the place where I live. Same old problems of power and water. What can we do in India? Fight the problems, face a hopeless life or work with the international standards and make money. Hard work is hardly paid off in India. There is no attraction to work in India.”
I had no immediate answer. We started unfolding our dinner trays and exchanged rich smiles. The aroma of Indian curry affects the Indians in us and we both begin to devour the taste of India.
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The Last Word
More Learned than Educated, You were!
I was speechless. Rather hesitatingly I asked him, “So, what have you decided, Sominder ?” His reply was curt and candid, “I have told the doctors that I don’t want to live life as dumb. Only...
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