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The Entrepreneurs Amongst the Poor - Geeta

The Entrepreneurs Amongst the Poor - Geeta - The financially literate and enterprising among the poor are pulling themselves out of poverty by sheer grit and determination. And coupled with a fierce determination to succeed and even being smart about it in their own way. The Schemes of the GOI and State Governments also become a facilitator in this success, in that they build the necessary infrastructure or environment for success (This could be imparting of soft skills or enabling infrastructure).
Geeta belongs to District Hoshiarpur in Punjab State by her roots, but her success has come after she moved to Chandigarh. A Scheduled Caste, she has shown how grit and enterprise can pull a person out of abject poverty. After trying varied entrepreneurial ventures she took to working as a masseuse for the ladies from the middle class and above, specially the age group above 50 years. This group is willing to spend on massages as the aches and pains have begun to set in. Charging around Rs 350 for an hour minimum, she has built up a network of reliable customers and references. Today she drives her own Mini Scooter. She has encouraged her sons to strive for success and both are entrepreneurs . One son drives a auto rickshaw and has just purchased a car. He drives the car and also rents it out. The awareness about certain concessions helped but only as enablers. Geeta, who is ambitious and wants to live well, so as to feel her success, had wisely invested in a small Government house and has added over the years two floors for her sons and refurbished the house with tiles and marble flooring. She has all the latest gadgets such as a LED TV and Washing Machine. EMIs by manufacturers and the dealers have been a facilitator. She and her relatives use beauty parlours before attending weddings etc. essentially it indicates how a resilient and ambitious class is emerging. As per her there are stories galore of such successful entrepreneurs in Chandigarh as the city welcomes all without any preconceived notions. Not only that, her daughter also attends to household services and then finds time for spiritual services daily at the local Brahm Kumari Centre. We need to share such successes while all concerned believe the nation is only declining.

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