Fostering Entrepreneurship Among the Marginalized

Abstract

An emerging economy needs inclusivity in its programmes and schemes to empower each section of society. In the past seven decades, India has strategically initiated interventions to create economic empowerment opportunities for every stratum; yet there remains much scope for initiating programmes to uplift vulnerable sections of society who lack vital social capital to move up the social and economic ladder. Very often minority communities, persons with disabilities and women face alienation due to social stigma. The physically challenged and differently abled sections of our population are also sometimes subjected to unworthy living conditions. The state of disparities found among different social groups is growing. If the vulnerable section of this population is disaggregated further in terms of gender and disability, the numbers are distressing. Despite several years of liberalization and economic progress, achieving equal access to resources and opportunities and the state of inclusive development remains an unaccomplished goal.