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Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Viksit Bharat: Engineering empowerment through entrepreneurship and women's inclusion
As India strides towards the ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat@2047—a fully developed, self-reliant, and globally influential nation—it becomes essential to examine the transformative engines shaping this journey. Among them, entrepreneurship and engineering stand out as key drivers, with the potential to reshape India's socio-economic framework. But this transformation must be inclusive, particularly of women, if it is to truly reflect the nation's full potential. Entrepreneurship is no longer restricted to metropolitan startup hubs. It is taking root in smaller towns and rural areas, stimulating local economies, creating employment, and introducing innovative solutions. India, with over 90,000 recognised startups and more than 100 unicorns, now has the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. Yet, numbers alone do not define Viksit Bharat—transformation does. India produces more than 1.5 million engineering graduates every year, yet many remain underemployed. This gap highlights the need to view engineering not as a qualification but as a mindset, where problem-solving, innovation, and entrepreneurship intersect. New models of training are responding to this challenge by combining hands-on learning with access to national and international coding competitions and hackathons, giving students a chance to apply skills in real scenarios. Among the most significant shifts is the rise of engineers from tier-2 and tier-3 cities who are securing roles at companies like PayPal and Swiggy without the conventional IIT label. The story of one KodNest alumna receiving a ₹34.4 lakh package from PayPal is often cited as proof that with the right support system, institutional pedigree need not define success. It also reinforces the value of performance-focused training ecosystems that offer high returns without high entry barriers. Women's inclusion in engineering and entrepreneurship remains a challenge and an opportunity. Women account for just 12–15% of the engineering workforce, and their representation in core branches remains limited. Platforms like KodNest have reported growing female participation, especially from conservative regions, driven by a supportive, mentorship-led environment. If Viksit Bharat is to be more than a slogan, rural innovation and inclusion must form its foundation. Imagine women in tribal areas using solar-powered tools designed by rural engineers, or self-help groups supported by local polytechnics building blockchain-based supply chains. These aren't future fantasies—they are already taking shape under initiatives such as Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and the National Rural Livelihood Mission. What's needed now is greater visibility, financial literacy, and access to digital tools. Engineering colleges can act as incubators while women-led microenterprises grow into strong local economies. In this model, both engineers and entrepreneurs become architects of grassroots development. The government and private sectors must come together to invest in Centers of Innovation, Engineer Startup Corps, and gender-responsive education. These investments will not only close the employability gap but also help reimagine Indian families, schools, and workplaces as spaces that promote risk-taking, inclusion, and creativity. As we look ahead to 2047, the triad of entrepreneurship, engineer empowerment, and women's leadership must be more than policy points—it must be embedded in the cultural and economic DNA of the nation. Let's not just imagine a developed India. Let's build it—engineer it, innovate it, and include everyone in the process. This article is authored by Akash Pandey and Prabhakaran, founders, KodNest.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Community decarbonization fund – Why India needs this?
Dr. Agyeya Tripathi has completed his Ph.D. and holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and another Masters in Electronics and Communication. He is a national resource person for Financial Inclusion under National Rural Livelihood Mission, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. LESS ... MORE India stands at a pivotal crossroads in its climate journey. On one hand, the country has made remarkable progress: the rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity, the mainstreaming of electric vehicles, and its leadership at forums such as COP28 have all signaled a firm commitment to decarbonization. On the other hand, the grassroots narrative—how rural and low-income communities are participating in, or benefiting from, this transition—remains underrepresented. In this article, I make the case for a Community Decarbonization Fund (CDF) in India: a dedicated financing mechanism to support small-scale, community-led climate action. Not only could such a fund help India achieve its ambitious targets—reducing emissions intensity by 45% of GDP by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2070—but it could also reshape the way we think about equity, participation, and justice in the green transition. The Case for a Community Decarbonization Fund India's climate vulnerabilities are both acute and widespread. From erratic monsoons and frequent droughts to extreme heatwaves and cyclones, climate change is no longer an abstract threat—it is a lived reality for millions. In rural India, these vulnerabilities intersect with poverty, gender inequality, and energy insecurity, creating a multi-dimensional development challenge. At the same time, rural India remains deeply carbon-intensive. Approximately 40% of rural households still rely on traditional biomass for cooking, and more than 70% of irrigation depends on diesel-powered pumps. Small-scale transport—e-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, shared vans—is also largely fossil-fuel dependent. These systems are not only environmentally unsustainable but also have serious implications for public health, economic productivity, and local livelihoods. What we need now is not just national ambition but local empowerment. A Community Decarbonization Fund would enable precisely that—by financing community-designed and -owned projects in renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean mobility, regenerative agriculture, and nature-based solutions. Financing the Last Mile According to Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), India requires nearly USD 170 billion annually in climate finance through 2030 to meet its goals. Current tracked flows stand at less than one-third of this amount, and most of it is directed towards corporate or utility-scale projects. Community-scale initiatives—those that are small, fragmented, but high-impact—are almost completely bypassed. Some government schemes like PM-KUSUM, FAME II, or MNRE's rooftop solar program offer subsidies and capital support, but uptake has been low, especially in underserved regions. Often, communities lack the institutional capacity to apply for or manage these schemes. In other cases, they simply fall outside the radar of formal finance. A Community Decarbonization Fund could bridge this gap by leveraging blended finance—combining public grants, concessional loans, CSR contributions, and even carbon market revenues. Delivery mechanisms can be routed through existing local institutions such as Self-Help Group (SHG) federations, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), rural banks, and panchayats. The idea is not entirely new. Globally, models such as Scotland's CARES (Community and Renewable Energy Scheme) and the UNCDF's LoCAL Facility (Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility) have shown that community-led climate finance works—when accompanied by technical support, clear measurement frameworks, and participatory governance. India has the advantage of a robust community infrastructure: over 6 million SHGs, 10,000+ FPOs, and a well-developed system of local governance through the Panchayati Raj Institutions. These platforms already manage financial services, insurance schemes, and livelihoods programs. It is both logical and feasible to integrate climate finance into this ecosystem. A well-structured CDF would have the following design features: It could be hosted by a central financial intermediary like NABARD, IREDA, or even at the state level under SRLMs (State Rural Livelihood Missions) or SAPCCs (State Action Plans on Climate Change). CDFs should offer a mix of small grants, micro-loans, and performance-linked incentives. They must be able to support small ticket-size projects (INR 20,000 to 2 lakh) while keeping transaction costs low. Fund allocation decisions must involve local stakeholders—SHG leaders, community development officers, youth groups, and marginalized communities. This ensures relevance, inclusion, and accountability. Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems should be digital-first, low-cost, and community-friendly. Projects should also track co-benefits such as women's empowerment, improved health, and job creation. Projects that generate measurable emission reductions can be linked to voluntary carbon markets to earn revenue that flows back into the community, creating a virtuous cycle. To operationalize a Community Decarbonization Fund in India, the following steps are essential: Pilot CDFs in 3–5 states, focusing on climate-vulnerable districts and strong community networks. Issue national guidelines for CDF design under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in coordination with the Ministry of Rural Development. Enable CSR contributions to flow into certified CDFs by aligning them with Schedule VII of the Companies Act. Create state-level Technical Assistance Hubs to help communities plan, finance, and monitor decarbonization projects. Integrate CDFs with India's carbon market roadmap and the Green Credit Programme for long-term viability. The Time Is Now India has always been a country of innovation, resilience, and collective action. From the SHG movement to UPI to Jan Dhan Yojana, we have demonstrated the power of taking development to the last mile. Climate action deserves the same urgency and imagination. A Community Decarbonization Fund is not just another climate finance instrument—it is a transformational shift in how we view communities: not as passive beneficiaries, but as active agents of the green transition. If we are serious about achieving net-zero, reducing rural inequality, and building climate resilience, then we must start at the grassroots. The next chapter in India's climate finance story must begin there. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Krishi Sakhis to promote cow-based natural farming in dist
Prayagraj: The state govt has roped in " Krishi Sakhis " to mobilise and enrol willing farmers to practise cow-based natural farming in all 23 blocks of the district. Krishi Sakhis role is envisioned to be as farmers' friend at their doorstep with all necessary information, skills and abilities to guide farmers on various aspects of natural farming, providing capacity building and skilling in emerging areas of natural farming and soil health management .A senior agriculture department official said: "Krishi Sakhis are being given the responsibility of making farmers aware of natural farming. For this, a list of Krishi Sakhis has been sought from NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission). A strategy has been drafted to train Krishi Sakhis at Krishak Vikas Kendras from May 13 at 12 clusters across the district. At least two Krishi Sakhis in every cluster will be trained for the same. " The official said these Krishi Sakhis will be selected from among the self-help groups, whose selection has been done by the monitoring committees at the district level. Krishi Sakhis will get Rs 5,000 per month. Apart from this, the govt has plans to grant Rs 4,000 per year to the farmers who adopt natural farming. If there is no Krishi Sakhi in any agricultural cluster, then a community resource person with knowledge about it will be given the responsibility. There are 12 clusters of natural farming in Prayagraj, out of which 7 are in Jasra block and 5 in 500 hectares of farming is done in one cluster. Currently, more than 1,500 farmers are doing natural farming in claimed that Krishi Sakhis will be trained to enable farmers to boost agricultural production with lower costs through natural ways. They will simultaneously spread the message to other members. Until recently, the farmers, mainly small and marginal ones, did not fully reap the benefits of their productive land. Officials claimed that the reason was the deterioration of soil owing to the overuse of pesticides and 'Krishi Sakhis' are now being trained to find ways to adapt to non-chemical, low-cost, and climate-resilient farming. "Since the women are the main workforce in agriculture across the state and the country, it is always effective if they are trained and the message is spread through them," the official said.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Handicraft by local shepherds to be on display at Belagavi airport in Karnataka
Handicraft items made by the shepherding women of Kadoli village will soon be available for sale at Belagavi airport in Sambra. This was decided after a team of senior officers visited the craft centre run by the Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Kadoli village. Rahul Shinde, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer, said that the products include traditional products made by Kadoli women like handbags, shawls and caps, and innovative products like coasters, mouse pads and table top stationary. 'The airport stall is earning up to ₹2 lakh per month. Even if the local handicrafts persons manage to earn a 10% share in that amount, it would be a good beginning,' he said. He pointed out that the ZP will work with the local SHGs in training their women members in art, marketing, and finance management. 'We will also try to provide all the SHGs and artisans from the district an online platform to sell their produce under the Sanjeevini - National Rural Livelihood Mission - Karnataka,' he said. Mr. Shinde was among the senior officers who visited the Kadoli crafts centre, along with Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, and Superintendent of Police Bheemashankar S. Guled. They interacted with the women, their trainers and chief mentor G. N. Gopikrishna. They saw various products being made from sheep wool, felt, and vegetable tanned leather. The officers appreciated the skills of Shivaraj Pujeri, a young man from Kadakol village, who has mastered the art of making felt shoes with and without soles. They urged him to produce shoes for men and women in different sizes. Mr. Roshan asked the women to scale up their production capacity, and expand their market. He assured all help in their endeavour. Dr. Guled urged the women to acquire additional skills to introduce finesse in their products, and to improve their overall quality and longevity. Neelakanth Mama, a local community leader, urged the officials to take long-term steps, like preserving community grazing land and vaccination of sheep, to protect the community. He urged the government to train local youth as para-veterinarians to help them identify animal epidemics, isolate affected herds, assist veterinarians in treating them, and vaccinating the rest. Mahesh Jadhav, co-founder of Mahesh Foundation, a Belagavi-based NGO, has worked with the ZP in setting up the airport stall. He said introducing local wool and felt products in the airport stall was a good idea as it would empower women artisans. The foundation's women volunteers are always on the lookout for various handicrafts and other local products to be showcased in the airport. The SHGs promoted by our NGO are now running a craft outlet in the foundation headquarters at Kanabargi. They are also running the Akka Cafe in the Belagavi ZP premises.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Kanimozhi evaluates progress of development schemes in Thoothukudi
Thoothukudi Lok Sabha member Kanimozhi Karunanidhi chaired the review meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) held here on Monday to assess various projects being implemented through Central and State government schemes. During the meeting, the MP examined the implementation of key initiatives and development programmes being implemented through the Ministry of Rural Development, such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Prime Minister's Housing scheme, Swachh Bharat Movement, Jal Jeevan Scheme, Member of Parliament's Local Area Development Scheme, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Smart City Mission, National Social Assistance Programme and National Rural Drinking Water Programme, among others. She also assessed the progress of projects being implemented by Integrated Child Development, Highways, Public Health and Preventive Medicines, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Departments. Ms. Kanimozhi analysed the current status of the welfare measures and development projects in the district. She further advised the officials to expedite the ongoing development works, ensuring the welfare of the people was prioritised and the projects were completed on time. She emphasised that the schemes should be implemented while carefully considering the needs and demands of the people. Earlier, under the Department of Welfare of Differently Abled Persons, 30 beneficiaries were provided with tri-scooters worth ₹30.54 lakh. Additionally, under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, work orders for the construction of houses under Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme, amounting to ₹1.05 crore were issued to 30 beneficiaries. Medical equipment worth ₹24 lakh were provided to Srivaikundam Government Hospital and Urban Primary Health Centre in Thoothukudi for accurate and rapid hearing assessment of newborns. Thoothukudi District Collector K. Elambahavath, Corporation Commissioner L. Madhubalan, Corporation Mayor Jegan Periyasamy, and Additional Collector (Development) R. Ishwarya were present at the meeting.
