Dear All, Jai Bheem, http://www.dailypioneer.com/245048/An-inspiration.html
Sunday, March 28, 2010 An inspiration Chandrabhan Prasad Wearing an impeccable suit, he is quick at measuring distances. At 48, he is the Editor of Marathi daily Janchetna Mahanayak. With 25,000 in circulation, Mahanayak claims to be a proud page in Dalits history. Founder editor and owner, Sunil Khobragade is a craze amongst the Dalit youth. A successful entrepreneur, Sunil deals in web offset printing and share trading. He speaks English well. A multi-millionaire, Sunil also owns a fleet of cars. I was in Mumbai in mid-March on the invitation of the daredevil Sunil. The occasion was to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Mahanayak on March 15, which coincidentally is also the birthday of Kanshi Ram, the modern day Ambedakar of India. The gala event was celebrated till late at night. The next day, Sunil came to my hotel along with his dynamic colleague Santosh Nana Pagare. The CEO of four companies, Santosh has joined Sunil in his mission. Dalit entrepreneurs in mission other than making money, I thought for a few moments. We are running a Financial Literacy Program for the Dalit youth, he told me when I asked him about his mission. A music to my ears, I requested for details. I, too, want Dalits to dive into the money market. Sunil narrated to me how he, along with his young team, would explain to aspiring Dalit entrepreneurs about the essentials of opening new businesses. What are the licenses one requires in opening a grocery shop, setting up a manufacturing unit, turning into a builder, or becoming a share trader. They would give details about the tax regimes of the State. They would explain how to do a market survey before launching a new business. The group trains Dalit youth into basics of banking, and last but not least, the business trends prevailing at present. This is a movement of Economic Freedom for Dalits, Sunil told me. When asked the why he started the mission, he narrated his own story to explain the importance of the economic freedom. Sunil was born to illiterate parents in a remote village named Gobardhan in Gadh Chiroli district of Maharashtra. Sunil faced gruelling poverty as both his parents were farm workers. I grew up eating field rats, he told me. Growing with a poster of BR Ambedkar in his tiny house, he made a slogan, Educate, Organise and Agitate. Hunger for alphabets was in place. He would cover a distance of 7 Km each day to attend the nearest school. He completed his seventh class in the village. His hunger for education expanded even more. He moved over to Chanderpur town where his elder brother worked as a tailor. He passed his 10th standard with a first division while working part time in a roadside hotel. He then moved to Nagpur where his uncle, an architect, lived for further studies. While perusing his 12th standard, he worked as a newspaper vendor, and also as a dabbawala carrying tiffins. He failed the 12th standard. On the basis of his 10th standard certificate, he joined a diploma course in Veterinary Science. Later, he joined as a Livestock Supervisor in a Government department. High in ambition, Sunil was now unstoppable. While in Government service, Sunil completed his MA. He gave the State Civil Service examination and finally made it to a Class II officer rank. But, something very special awaited for him. The ex-newspaper vendor had a dream of becoming an editor of a newspaper. Sunil quit his risk-free Government job to chase his dream. With a bank loan and his savings, Sunil launched his printing business from where his newspaper started. Sunil also tried his hands as a share trader, an art he mastered well. His income from the share trade supports Mahanayak. Sunil Khobragade is known and respected in the Maharashtra. That was evident at the Shivaji Mandir, a famous auditorium in Mumbais Dadar West, which was packed to capacity on March 15. I got to wear shoes at the age of 18, tells Sunil while explaining the role of money in life. My parents could not arrange a car in my wedding, he adds. I want Dalits to turn into employers as well, Sunil remarks. Why doesnt the Governments pick up self made role model Dalits like Sunil Khobragade for Padma or other State awards?
