The youth are a condensed pool of courage, enthusiasm, and energy. If they want, they can create a new wave and rejuvenate society and nation. Earlier, social service and trade were considered as two different tasks, but later on, they have merged into one. Consequently, today our younger generation is kick-starting such unique enterprises, which are beneficial not only to themselves but also to the society and environment. There is no doubt that social entrepreneurs are better than ordinary manufacturers. Their purpose is not limited to pursuing a business for their own profit but also extends to create a wave of revolution in the entire industry.
The renowned American entrepreneur, Bill Drayton, believes that social entrepreneurs are the need of the hour. Clause Swab, founder of the World Economic Forum, finds that startups affiliated with social concerns in India are playing a pivotal role in taking essential services to the needy. The findings of a recent survey by NASSCOM also reaffirms this fact. According to Sangeeta Gupta, Senior Vice President of NASSCOM, there are over four hundred such social enterprises (startups) active in our nation, which are offering solutions to social problems with the help of technology and are also making profits in this process. Whether it is a metro city or a village, now youths are joining social enterprises everywhere. Our young generation is taking a keen interest in various social initiatives.
There was a time when the sole purpose of business ventures was profit. Companies used to spend a part of their gains in social service as part of ‘Corporate Social Responsibility.’ But there was hardly any company which was making revenue through social service. Gradually, the entrepreneurs realized that they could make a profit even by working for the good of society. This is how the trend for social entrepreneurship, i.e., social startups, originated. Social entrepreneurship also spread rapidly, just like ordinary entrepreneurship. Social enterprises like Cemex began in Bangladesh, while ventures like ITCE Chaupal and Arvind Eye Care emerged in India. Gradually they grew in number. In the last few years, their number has increased rapidly. Excessive work pressure has deprived many employees of traditional homemade food. After eating outside food continuously, they indeed have forgotten the taste of homemade meals. In such a situation, ‘Authenticook startup’ has taken the responsibility of bringing traditional cuisines to people and is seeking the help of domestic women in this venture. The women associated with this startup are skilled in making special recipes of their respective states. This venture not only provides food of a particular state on demand but also follows the serving style of the particular state.
Akhand Jyoti Magazine -March-April 2020