March 8, 2025

In one of my previous article, I discussed practical steps to start a company in rural India. But when we talk about business in these regions, we can’t ignore the growing importance of social enterprises—businesses that go beyond just profits to solve real-world challenges. Social enterprises are often misunderstood as charity-driven organizations. But in reality, they are powerful engines of change, blending business principles with a mission to address social issues. The need for profitable social enterprises in rural India has never been more urgent. Why? Because traditional charity alone is not enough—what we need is sustainable, scalable impact. Why Social Enterprises Matter in Rural India Rural India presents both challenges and opportunities. Limited infrastructure, lower income levels, and lack of access to services make it difficult for people to improve their quality of life. At the same time, these gaps create meaningful opportunities for mission-driven businesses that can make a difference. A well-built social enterprise can do three key things: If designed right, social enterprises can be more sustainable than NGOs and more purpose-driven than traditional businesses. They balance impact with profitability, ensuring that the mission is not lost while making the enterprise financially viable. Finding the Right Opportunity: Bridging Gaps in Society The foundation of any social enterprise starts with identifying a meaningful opportunity—a gap in society that, when addressed, can create mass impact. Unlike traditional businesses, which focus purely on demand and supply, social enterprises must look deeper: For example, many villages struggle with access to clean drinking water. Instead of setting up a charity-driven water distribution program, a social enterprise could develop a low-cost filtration system that locals can purchase and maintain. This model ensures both impact and business sustainability. The Art of Funding a Social Enterprise Unlike traditional businesses, where revenue streams are often straightforward (product sales, service charges, etc.), social enterprises need a keen eye for funding strategies. They must balance commercial revenue with impact-driven funding sources, such as: Marketing and Branding: Selling an Idea, Not Just a Product One major difference between social enterprises and traditional businesses is what they sell. A for-profit business sells a product or service, while a social enterprise sells a concept, an impact, and a movement. This makes marketing and branding even more crucial. Unlike traditional businesses, where customers buy based on features and pricing, social enterprises need to connect with emotions, values, and community-driven storytelling. Key marketing strategies for social enterprises include: Brands like Amul and Fabindia have successfully built strong narratives around rural empowerment, proving that a good story can turn a business into a movement. The Founder’s Passion: The Heart of Social Entrepreneurship Starting a social enterprise is far more challenging than running a regular business. It requires resilience, deep-rooted passion, and long-term vision. Unlike a traditional business, where profitability is the ultimate goal, social entrepreneurs must navigate the delicate balance between profit and purpose. Many social enterprises fail because their founders either:Focus too much on the cause and neglect financial sustainability.Focus too much on profits and lose sight of impact. The Balance Between Profit and Purpose A common misconception is that a social enterprise shouldn’t make money. But if an enterprise isn’t profitable, it won’t last. The challenge is to create a self-sustaining model where profit fuels growth and impact, rather than taking away from it. The best example of this balance is Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in India. They lend small amounts to rural entrepreneurs, ensuring financial inclusion while earning sustainable profits. This model has lifted millions out of poverty while remaining commercially viable. As rural India continues to evolve, social enterprises will play a key role in shaping its future. They are not just businesses, not just charities—but a powerful hybrid of both. For India to truly progress, we need more mission-driven businesses that can create impact at scale—ones that don’t just survive on donations but thrive on innovation and sustainability. Let’s build businesses that matter.

The last time I visited Varanasi during the Ardh Kumbh, I had wanted to make it to Prayagraj, but somehow, it didn’t happen. This time, however, I wasn’t going to miss out on Mahakumbh—an event that happens only once in 144 years. Initially, I didn’t give it much thought. Sure, I knew it was happening, but it wasn’t something I actively planned for. However, as the days went by, social media changed the whole scenario. Suddenly, it felt like everyone was talking about it, and the fear of missing out hit hard. As someone who has studied marketing, I was fascinated by how this spiritual gathering was transforming into one of the largest human congregations on Earth. It wasn’t just a religious event; it was a movement, a phenomenon that was uniting people from all walks of life. The Spontaneous Plan That Turned Into a Grand Expedition I hadn’t really gotten into serious planning until my friend, Guru, called. “Flights are too expensive, and trains are all booked. Let’s drive!” It sounded crazy at first, but when I casually mentioned it at home, my wife’s excitement was through the roof. Surprisingly, Guru’s family was equally thrilled. And just like that, we decided—we were driving to Mahakumbh! Once the plan was set, the excitement spread like wildfire. A couple of friends from Mysore—Santhosh, Shalini, Bharat, and Rashmi—jumped in. Santhosh had a friend who had already made a few trips and gave us valuable insights on the best dates. Meanwhile, hearing about our road trip, my sister, brother-in-law, and a cousin’s family from Sakaleshpur also decided to join. The group was growing fast! The final surprise came when I mentioned our plan to Leelakrishna during a customer meeting. Without a second thought, he called his wife and parents, and within minutes, they were in! This wasn’t just a trip anymore; it was turning into a yatra. We created a WhatsApp group to coordinate plans, while the ladies formed a separate group to sort out the packing essentials. Knowing the kind of traffic jams we might encounter near Prayagraj, we stocked up on food, tents, and other necessities. Hitting the Road: A Journey of Faith and Fun On the night of the 14th, six of us started from Mysore and reached Bangalore. The next morning, three cars hit the road. We wanted to start by 5:30 AM but—like every road trip—we ended up rolling out by 8:30 AM. Gathering at Hebbal, we began our journey with a loud chant of Har Har Mahadev! The plan was to reach Adilabad by night. Meanwhile, Leela, who was still unsure about joining due to illness, called us at noon with a surprising update—he had already left and was heading to Hyderabad to pick up his parents! His determination was inspiring. By the time we reached Adilabad around midnight, Leela had joined us, and his parents instantly became the motivators of our trip. The second day saw us heading toward Satna, where we were hosted by Suneet and Manish’s families. Their warmth and hospitality made our stay comfortable, and over a delicious home-cooked dinner, we shared stories and laughed late into the night. Initially, the plan was to start for Prayagraj in the early morning, but as plans go, we decided to take it easy and left in the afternoon. The Last Stretch: Chaos, Traffic, and an Unforgettable Snan As expected, the final stretch to Prayagraj was challenging. Traffic was insane, and we were stuck in jams for hours. About 20 km away from the city, we hit a major roadblock that held us for nearly three hours. Moving inch by inch, exhausted but excited, we finally reached our Airbnb at 2 AM. Despite the fatigue, we knew what we had come for. The next morning, we arranged for autos to take us to Sangam for the sacred snan (holy dip). There was confusion about boats, long queues, and overflowing crowds, but none of it mattered when we finally found a spot to take the holy dip. Standing in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati, we chanted Har Har Gange and felt the divine energy of the moment. Returning to our Airbnb, we were welcomed with a sumptuous homemade meal prepared by our host. That simple meal, after such a surreal experience, felt more fulfilling than anything else. Though we had initially planned to visit Ayodhya and Varanasi, the sheer crowd influx made us rethink. We decided to skip and start our journey back. The Journey Back: Unexpected Adventures Getting out of Prayagraj wasn’t easy. Traffic jams, long waits, and navigating the chaotic roads took its toll. We finally managed to exit the city after 3-4 hours of struggle and decided to halt at Rewa. However, luck wasn’t on our side when it came to finding hotel rooms. With no other option, we crashed at a roadside dhaba, sipping tea at 3 AM, sharing stories under the night sky—an experience in itself! By morning, we continued toward Jabalpur, stopping at the breathtaking Bhedaghat. The mesmerizing beauty of the Narmada river, the marble rocks, and a short cable car ride were unexpected but delightful detours. From there, we drove to Adilabad for another night’s rest before making our final leg of the journey. Since it was a Thursday, we made a spontaneous decision to visit Mantralayam before heading home. The timing was perfect, and we were blessed to attend the pooja and have a peaceful darshan at the temple. Finally, with full hearts and unforgettable memories, we returned to Bangalore. Reflections: A Trip That Taught Me More Than Just Travel This journey was more than just a road trip—it was an experience of faith, unity, and the incredible transformation of India. The infrastructure, the well-organized arrangements at Mahakumbh, and the seamless management of such a massive gathering left me in awe. Hats off to Modiji, Nitin Gadkari, and Yogiji—without their vision and execution, such a grand event wouldn’t have been possible. Most importantly,