Page 28 - Mann Ki Baat - English May 2022

1Bridge- Transforming Rural India
Through Entrepreneurship

“Gandhi ji has always said become entrepreneurs and thrive
that the real Bharat lies in our in their villages.
villages. If we can improve the
1Bridge, a village commerce
lives of villagers by creating a
network, was started in 2014 to
sustainable economic model in
help the rural entrepreneurs
the village itself, then the country
deliver a variety of services to
will flourish in a very progressive
rural citizens, with the help of
way,” says Sh.
technology. These young
Madan Padaki,
entrepreneurs, called
the man behind
1Bridge advisors, act as
the network of
digital ambassadors to
thousands of village
the village. They help
entrepreneurs,
the villagers with mobile
making villages a
recharges, bill payments,
self-sustaining, growing eco-
direct money transfers, buying
systems of entrepreneurships.
insurance, etc. They also help
At a time when India boasts them to buy aspirational
touching the mark of 100 products, without having to
unicorns, it is perfectly travel to the city. And finally,
befitting to recognize the they ensure that the product is
commendable work being done delivered to their doorstep. The
by organisations like 1Bridge entrepreneurs are able to earn
in empowering rural youth to incomes on a regular basis from

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