Indian Institute of Management-Ranchi (IIM-R) Barefoot Manager Programme, focusing on market place literacy for villagers of the State, seems to have impressed the officials of the Jharkhand Government. The Welfare department is working with the premiere Business School on launching entrepreneurship lessons to rural residents of selected districts of the State.
Speaking about the present status of this plan, State Welfare department Principle Secretary l Khiangte on Saturday said, “I do not remember the names of the districts but yes we are very much keen in promoting
entrepreneurship in some districts of the state so have decided to implement this with the help of IIM-R.”
According to officials, some villages in around 22 districts are being indentified for this reason. “The date of launching this Barefoot Manager Programme coordinated by welfare department is still undecided. However, it is scheduled to start by this year,” a source said.
The Barefoot Manager Programme was unveiled by IIM-R in 2012 as a pilot project. Initially, it helped Bokaro Steel Plant and thereafter it is assisting Central Coalfields limited (CCl) as a consultant in spreading knowledge to residents of villages involved under the latter’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.
CCl claims to empower majority of its rural people by this Barefoot Manager Programme. Coordinator of this Barefoot Manager Programme at IIM-R Dr Arpita Sutradhar who is carrying out the programme with CSR CCl Chief Manager S Bakshi said, “We explain the villagers on how to run their businesses and the steps to follow on accomplishing established business of their choice. The programme began from Namkom block and has covered several villages of Pithoria, Bundu, Kanke and Khalari panchayats.”
“This has undoubtedly brought a self-dependent working motivation among our target audience comprising basically the Below Poverty line men and women,” said Bakshi.
Significantly, IIM-R is working as a consultant in various other projects of Government besides this Barefoot Manager Programme. The list includes Tribal Sub Plan, Traffic Management, Jharcraft and Disaster Management.
Asked on the details of such real time projects assigned to IIM-R, Director-in-charge BB Chakrabarti and faculty members denied sharing their opinions. “We are consultant in various social projects which should remain confidential. It is unethical to disclose the details,” Chakraverti said.