An Overview of Social Entrepreneurs and Enterprises for Rural India

Abstract

India is a country with the second largest population in the world. About 70 per cent of the population is based in rural areas. However, it is also a country where about 42 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line of US $1.25 per day as per the World Bank estimates. The reason for this is the underutilisation and non-uniform distribution of natural resources, low quality of public utilities and underdeveloped infrastructure facilities. This article provides a broad overview of the state of affairs of the innovative social enterprises and the entrepreneurs who are driving these enterprises. These entrepreneurs are delicately balancing the twin objectives of financially sustaining their enterprises and at the same time providing cost-effective products and services to the underserved rural masses. This article intends to present the need for social enterprises in a developing country like India, particularly in the rural areas. It presents certain sectors of the economy where social entrepreneurs are devising innovative systems, methods and processes so as to mitigate the problems faced by the rural masses. The article also highlights the government policies and schemes and the role of investors with a social cause for the promotion of social enterprises.