The Hindu Business Line : They defy odds to set out on their own

New Delhi, Jan. 2 Indicative of the latent potential of Indian entrepreneurship, close to 16.58 million people with only primary and middle-school level education are running (as owners) manufacturing units across the country and providing livelihood to millions more, according to the latest Government report on the structure of unorganised sector manufacturing.

And, they have made it without the Government assistance, facing all problems that include non-availability of electric connection, shortage of capital and raw materials, difficulties in marketing their products and lack of infrastructure, only to mention a few. And still they are able to generate income to sustain their business.

If one cares to look at those who are handicapped and those who are illiterate or with below primary level education (literate in Government records are those who can sign their names), the facts are even more astounding. These categories of entrepreneurs are around 5.02 million people.

The data show that they are spread across the economy, be it manufacturing of food products and beverages, paper and paper products, various fancy show pieces and extend up to manufacturing of textiles and wearing apparels, leather products, office equipment, rubber and plastic products, traditional medicines, printing and dyeing materials.

Unorganised sector

There are also graduates and post graduates setting up manufacturing units in the unorganised sector. There are more than 83 lakh graduates and post-graduates who have been able to set striking examples of entrepreneurship.

But, even though the unorganised sector contributes more than 50 per cent of the GDP, manufacturing activities in this sector account for only a small portion. This is evident from the fact that out of the total 390 million people working in the unorganised sector, only around 35 million are engaged in manufacturing activities.