TRLM & IIM Calcutta Collaborate to Nurture 'Crorepati Didis'

Agartala, Nov 12 (PTI) — The Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) is partnering with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta to elevate 250 individual and group enterprises to the status of 'crorepati didis,' an official announced on Wednesday.

Currently, over 4.68 lakh households are involved in 54,263 Self Help Groups (SHGs), with around 1,08,000 women already attaining the 'lakhpati didi' status.

"With a Rs 10.60 crore incubation plan set over three years, TRLM has teamed up with IIM Calcutta to transform participants into 'crorepati didis.' A presentation was already made to the Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) about this plan," stated TRLM Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tarit Kanti Chakma, to PTI.

Chakma noted the initial plan was to create 150 'crorepati didis,' but the Centre recommended raising the target to 250 due to the state's progress in empowering rural women through SHGs.

The TRLM plans to invite applications from women entrepreneurs interested in this ambitious initiative through advertisements in local newspapers, ensuring widespread awareness.

"After receiving applications, they will be sent to IIM Calcutta to select potential candidates for becoming 'crorepati didis.' Priority would be given to women involved in SHGs with an annual turnover of Rs 5 lakh. However, non-SHG members will also have an opportunity," he added.

"The state has produced over one lakh lakhpati didis, and there is no shortage of aspiring women for this transformative initiative. Some SHGs earn more than 40 lakh annually, profoundly impacting the rural economy," said Chakma.

TRLM plans to provide not only capacity-building training but also a business development plan designed to significantly grow these enterprises.

Special incubator cells at district and block levels will be established for proper monitoring, with offerings like credit linkage to banks and market access, said Chakma.

TRLM will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIM Calcutta as an incubator partner. With their expertise, IIM Calcutta is poised to implement this transformational plan. The institute has already seen success in similar programs in West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar. The Centre chose Tripura for this project recognizing its adeptness in executing various government schemes.

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