Latest news with #TransformRuralIndia
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Small rural enterprises in India can unlock 79 lakh jobs annually: Report
New Delhi: Mini and nano rural enterprises that include small businesses in sectors such as textiles, construction, services, and retail, can generate nearly 79 lakh jobs annually, a report said on Saturday. "India's rural youth cohort is both vast and expanding, making it central to the country's future workforce and economic progress and youth literacy has seen strong gains, reaching 97 per cent nationally among those aged 15 - 24," said a joint report of Transform Rural India (TRI) and the Development Intelligence Unit (DIU). Although 88 per cent of rural women aged 20-24 complete primary education, enrolment in higher education drops significantly, with gross enrolment ratios at 53.8 per cent for higher secondary and about 27.1 per cent for ages between 18 and 23. Despite the potential, the mini and nano rural enterprises (MNREs) remain underrepresented and, as per the report, this situation must change. 'The report brings micro-level issues into focus. When we read them, we also understand what practices can be scaled or repeated. These insights are vital because they highlight gaps and provide data that was missing,' said Nitesh Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The report suggested that location-specific measures should be there to reduce regulatory burdens, improve access to schemes, expand financial inclusion, and support market connectivity and skill development, especially in underserved rural regions. 'If we aim for enterprise development at scale, we must build a strong digital ecosystem. Finance, infrastructure, tools, and value chain integration need to work together to ensure meaningful participation in enterprise and skilling,' says T.K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development. According to the report, states with more rural Hired Worker Enterprises (HWEs) tend to have diversified employment structures and stronger non-farm economies, resulting in higher per capita income. 'This survey highlights India's quiet entrepreneurial revolution and the need for targeted action. MNREs can unlock inclusive growth and meaningful employment, especially for rural youth and women. Recognising and supporting them is not only sound policy, but essential for achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047,' said Neeraj Ahuja, Associate Director, Transform Rural India.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
CSR spending heavily concentrated in six states, report flags neglect of underdeveloped regions
NEW DELHI: India's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments are geographically skewed, with 60% directed towards only six states, while underdeveloped regions receive just 20% of the total funds. A new report by the Developmental Intelligence Unit (DIU) has found that CSR fund investments lack transparency, often duplicate government schemes, and involve minimal community participation in project design. DIU is a joint initiative of the non-profit Transform Rural India and Sambodhi Research. Its report, 'Investing in Tomorrow: Need for realigning CSR spends with status of development in districts', mapped India's CSR fund investment patterns. In 2022–23, CSR expenditure in India reached Rs 29,989.92 crore, registering a 12.8% growth over the previous year. However, this growth masks a deep structural imbalance in the geographical distribution of CSR funds. Donors preferred to invest in tier headquarters of manufacturing or mining unit locations. As a result, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, and Gujarat accounted for 60% of CSR spending, while Aspirational Districts (per NITI Aayog) received less than 20% of the total CSR pool.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
TRI event higlights sustainable devpt through gender equality & local expertise
Bhopal: A balanced and secure existence requires more than just material wealth, focusing on the responsible and equitable use of natural resources. Despite being the source of numerous rivers, Madhya Pradesh faces severe water scarcity during summers, highlighting the need for enhanced environmental stewardship. These observations were shared by Panchayat and Rural Development & Labour Minister Prahalad Singh Patel during the Fifth Edition of the India Rural Colloquy, organised by Transform Rural India (TRI) on Aug 1, 2025. The Minister emphasised, "While technology is essential to improving our lives, it cannot replace human values, labour, and empathy." "We consume, pollute, and forget where our rivers are born. This detachment must end," he stated. He further noted, "We must accept past shortcomings and ask ourselves — do we include those learnings in future planning?" The programme included launching the Gram Panchayat Helpdesk initiative, with Reshma Ninama from Alsiya, Petlawad block, a community leader spearheading local change, conducting the inauguration. The MP session, conducted at the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, featured Padma Janak Palta, who spoke about establishing the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women. She and her husband built a self-sufficient green campus from modest beginnings, now training girls in various skills using regional languages. Her technological advances include solar solutions for cooking, preservation, and healthcare. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "When farmers were dying in Maharashtra, we created solar solutions for cooking, food preservation, and even pain-relief remedies," she explained, promoting "sustainability, zero-waste, and pollution-free living." Regional attendees raised several issues. Anjali from Khategaon expressed concerns about women's safety after 5 PM, requesting improved lighting and transportation. Rama Kevat addressed difficulties in girls' education beyond Class 8 due to distance and safety concerns. A senior woman sarpanch from Barcha outlined how unsafe conditions impact women's education and leadership involvement. A discussion panel with govt representatives and scholars examined the creation of secure, inclusive, and climate-resilient rural areas. Dr Biswas discussed SDG implementation in rural India, stating that sustainable development needs gender equality and integration of local expertise. He highlighted women's vital role in resource management despite property rights limitations. The conference produced practical suggestions for developing gender-inclusive, climate-resilient rural areas, promoting sustainable technologies, improving local planning processes, and facilitating pilot programmes in chosen districts. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Call to build vibrant, self-reliant UP
Lucknow: UP chapter of the fifth edition of the India Rural Colloquy 2025, organised by Transform Rural India, concluded on Saturday at Lucknow University, calling for action to build a self-reliant and economically vibrant rural UP. The forum brought together senior policymakers, thought leaders and grassroots representatives to deliberate on key themes, including youth entrepreneurship, resilient livelihoods, women-led FPOs and rural market transformation. Key sessions at the colloquy explored role of entrepreneurship development among youth and empowerment of youth-led enterprises through various schemes such as CM-YUVA, particularly for rural women and marginalised communities. Another session emphasised need to strengthen value chains through women-led farmer producer organisations (FPOs). Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Policy-makers to discuss rural development
Lucknow: Policy makers, philanthropic organisations, social organisations, young innovators, media representatives and activists from across the country will gather at Lucknow University on Saturday to deliberate on inclusive and sustainable development of rural India. The event-- India Rural Colloquium (IRC) 2025-- is being organised by the Transform Rural India (TRI) in LU's department of social work. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak will deliver the inaugural address where he will present the state's vision for village-led economic transformation. Titled 'Viksit UP: Can UP's Villages Become Engines of State's Economic Transformation', the address will outline the role of integrated action in healthcare, education, agriculture, and sustainability in shaping a self-reliant, developed Uttar Pradesh. Other sessions will explore unlocking rural enterprise, 10x growth for youth and women, and the transformative role of women-led FPOs. There will be special focus on Uttar Pradesh CM Yuva Yojana that provides a platform for loans, training and entrepreneurship to the youth, especially women. "The objective of the event is that the villages of India should now be seen as centers of innovation, production and leadership. Through this dialogue platform, the participation of rural India in policy making will be ensured," said a govt spokesperson. This colloquium will not only be a platform for dialogue but also give concrete suggestions towards the development of policy, participation and scalable models, which will help in making India self-reliant and inclusive.
