The calling

I was really looking forward to July 1st. It was our date with the man who created one of the most respected social venture in the country. Its his kindness that he allowed us to be part of a 400 km journey that took us to interiors of india, some of its poorest villages, and understand the challenges that co-exist with opportunities.

We went from village to village in search for clients for this microfinance company. We were amazed how people make mends with their lives. From 2 cattle household to the one with ample cattle and poultry. However, money always in short supply and these families then compromise on quality of food they provide to the animals they rear. The heat is intense and raingods shy away.

Every few kilometers were studded with large sized poultry farms with hundreds of chicken, still when we visited a household we would see a house with just about 10 chicken to fend for. Thats the level of disparity you see here. We tried to ascertain opportunities for our own venture as well as we heard investment of 1000 in poultry in an year could actually fetch you over twice by the end of that year. The brains were working hard and so was the heart. Been fortunate enough to have received proper education in leading private institutions of the country it becomes difficult to comprehend the reality of the country, the part which lives in villages. It was thus not amazing to see some leading money manager who also hopped onto their vehicles on this visit to be inspired. Its been over 3 months I have been in my business class, these 3 months seemed like an year to me because of the fast paced curriculum. However, time slowed today. I could easily absorb the truckload of information being thrown at us.

I could realise it was not long ago I walked the same road in the same country in a different state, though the challenges remained the same! the opportunities remained the same!