Small Entrepreneurs of India

India is full of "start-ups" and "entrepreneurs", many of whom are poor with limited resources yet very "creative" and "innovative" - if one were to describe them in capitalist/ MBA terms. There is a lot of potential in the people of India. If they are already doing so much without any help, imagine how far they will go with just a little bit of support. If given the right tools & system to succeed and grow in, the value-add and existence of such talented, small scale entrepreneurs or skilled workers would make the need for looking outside for investment unnecessary. I'm pretty certain Indians are capable of finding efficiencies on their own also, ie. we don't need giant blood-sucking MNCs who don't know the H of our history or the T of our traditions to show that to us. I disagree that we can simply pick up foreign methods and apply those in Indian environment because there are way too many nuances, diversities, ironies in our country for any outsider to genuinely understand the impact to.
In fact, because of our poverty or mediocrity in monetary terms, we have become experts in using ecologically friendly, low-waste methodologies of production and re-use, which the capitalist world is just now starting to think of...ie. we may in fact be ahead of the world!
Simply picking up a process from outside and slapping it on our systems will lead to nothing but complete destruction and erosion of all our unique people, culture, knowledge and wisdom. That does not mean we don't have corruption or problems. They do indeed exist causing way too many problems, which also need to be discussed rather than pushing / hiding under the rug. We need to fix our systems and value what we have in front of our eyes. This skilled barber may not provide a "spa experience" because his open shop which consists of this high chair, mirror, pair of scissors and shade of a tree happens to be right next to a busy main road, but he is a terrific barber. He has figured out a way to make his business run with limited capital. There is a queue of five men sitting on the side. I pass by him daily and finally caught him with a customer.

Fresh Fruit Vendor

Shaved Ice Street Vendor

Paan Vendor

Favorite street side snack of Chana Chor Garam - a mix of flattened & baked chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, lemon juice and garam masala wrapped in paper usually pages torn out of magazines or newspapers, is commonly sold by road side every where in India. This snack will most certainly satisfy your appetite and keep your taste buds craving for Rs 20/- only (less than 50 cents). These entrepreneurs know their business and location strategies very well. But they are still poor and often times live hand to mouth. Such is the nature of their work. Giving them better facilities and services to allow them to thrive in their small businesses could change things for better.