• It is an Initiative under ‘CM ST Entrepreneurship & Innovation Scheme (CMSTEI)’
The Tribal Cooperative Finance Corporation Ltd (TRICOR), under the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Telangana, in collaboration with the Indian School of Business (ISB) kick started the “ISB-GoT Entrepreneurship Programme” for the tribal entrepreneurs.
This programme was an initiative under the new scheme, “CM ST Entrepreneurship & Innovation Scheme” to support and promote entrepreneurs among Scheduled Tribes. The programme focussed on enabling ST Entrepreneurs with the required capacities to better equip them in expanding their businesses through well-designed Business Plans that will find commensurate backing from Banks and Financial Institutions.
As knowledge and academic partner to the programme, ISB was responsible for student selection, academics, market and financial linkages. The programme was spread across two cohorts of fifty (50) students each. The cohorts underwent fifteen days of residential classroom training interspersed with 45 days of offline and online hand holding and mentoring. ISB facilitated over 380 in-campus interviews for the students with over 65 franchisors to provide franchising as an alternate route to entrepreneurship. The last batch witnessed 45 units installed and around 11 with documentation in progress.
The official launch of second batch kick starts the programme at ISB Hyderabad campus, with the first cohort of 50 students. Based on the learning gathered from last year, the course is tailor made to make it more experiential for the students with less theory and increased focus on hands-on learning. Increasing interface with banks, market and industry experts are also scheduled for a holistic development of the students. The programme will cater to 100 students from tribal sub-communities and have representation from sub-tribes such as Thoti, Pardhan, Chenchu, Andh, Yerukula, Gond/Nayapod, Koya and Lambadis.
During the Launch programme, Sanction letters for 16 beneficiaries were given away by State Ministers KT Rama Rao and Smt. Satyavathi Rathod. The launch function also saw spirited testimonials given by six of the Alumni of CMSTEI 2018 batch.
During the programme, the Chief Guest KT Rama Rao spoke about the various support systems that the Government is offering to support entrepreneurship in the State, including reservations in special zones, industrial health clinics, along with subsidies. Addressing the 2019 batch he said: “Make best use of the opportunity and live up to your passions”.
Smt Satyavathi Rathod spoke about various government initiatives, which would immensely benefit the tribal people. She expressed her contentment to see that there is lot of demand for such initiatives and many tribal youth are coming forward and making their mark in the business world.
Dean of ISB Professor Rajendra Srivastava said: “the competition to get selected into this programme is rigorous and hence the selected candidates must make best use of this process. I am sure they will come with flying colours”.
