Pune-based Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI),set up in 2005,will see 150 Dalit entrepreneur participants from the state at DeepExpo from June 4 to 6 in Pune. The DICCI hopes this will be the beginning of a series of events that will bring together Dalit entrepreneurs on a single platform. Soon,it plans to organise similar events in other states like Gujarat,Madhya Pradesh. But 2015 will be a big year for the DICCI when it hopes to organise a national expo at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi with 1,000 Dalit entrepreneurs. We want the government to take note of us and consider us while deciding policies and budget. It is time for us to show that we can do it. It was this thought that led to the idea of providing a platform to Dalit entrepreneurs to showcase their work. The plan will start rolling with the three-day expo in Pune in June, said Milind Kamble,founder president of DICCI. The response to the chambers membership drive has been overwhelming,with over 200 Dalit entrepreneurs from the state already becoming members of DICCI. Entry into this exclusive club is for only those with a minimum annual turnover of Rs 50 lakh, he said. The exhibition will have 150 stalls for entrepreneurs while 25 stalls will be exclusively set up for creating awareness on various financial packages available for Dalit entrepreneurs. He said initially there were problems in the industry but the attitude was changing with many Dalits emerging as employer rather than remaining in the stereotyped role of employee.This is the first generation of Dalit entrepreneurs that is emerging and we want to set an example, Kamble said. Girish Tilak of Saturday Club,a forum to provide platform for Marathi speaking entrepreneurs and co-sponsor of DeepExpo,said,The initiative of self sustainability by Dalits needs to be appreciated. They are not seeking reservation in the industry but a right to be provided equal chance based on their performance. The Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI),involved in providing training in quality control,too will work along with DICCI. We will provide training to Dalit entrepreneurs at affordable rates, said Rajani Indulkar of QCFI. Among those from the Dalit community who have made it big in the state are the likes of Kamani Tubes run by Kalpana Saroj with an annual turnover of Rs 300 crore.
