It is easy to get depressed today when we are deluged
with bad news on a daily basis. Newspapers are full of crooked politicians,
corrupt bureaucrats and slimy businessmen who have become rich quick by taking
shortcuts and cheating millions. When you realize how we have shamelessly
frittered away our demographic potential and natural resources in order to line
the pockets of the rich and powerful, how can you not feel sad and guilty ? Indian
children continue to die daily of hunger, while the rich build billion dollar palaces in
the sky with impunity.
How can you not feel sorry - not only for yourself , but
for your country and your countrymen ? We are all happy to trot out a long list
of the reasons for this deplorable state of affairs - the politician-criminal nexus; crony
capitalism ; and unethical professionals . While venting may make you feel
good, it doesn't really change anything – and if you are not part of the
solution, you are part of the problem. You start feeling morose and wonder what
the future holds for your children. What are we bequeathing them ?
This is why it can be such a pleasant and refreshing
change to talk to entrepreneurs ! Entrepreneurs have to be optimistic , because
they are creating something for the future - something which doesn't exist
today ! They don’t know how many hurdles they will have to cross in order to
reach their goal – or even if they will ever get there – but they have the
courage of their convictions that they're willing to try to achieve something
productive and valuable. It can be extremely heartening to associate with
entrepreneurs and listen to their dreams – it is such a refreshing change from the
negativity which otherwise surrounds us ! My faith in humanity is restored
again , which is why I am happy to be a member of the Mumbai Angels Network , which
identifies entrepreneurs , and helps to fund them .
I am even more hopeful when I meet social entrepreneurs -
clever people , who are willing to invest their time , energy and money in
order to try to do good and achieve real progress. The apply their brains to
create enterprises which have a positive social impact – organizations which
are sustainable, and which will grow. This is why I am a member of Intellecap Impact Investment Network ,
which encourages social entrepreneurs and puts them in touch with investors , so
that they can bring their ideas to fruition with the infusion of money and mentorship.
I enjoy participating - not only do I learn a lot of new
things, some their optimism rubs off onto me, and life seems to be worth living
, as there is something to look forward to. If , in the process of investing in
them , I make some money as well , then this is going to be icing on the cake
for me !
O.K, I'll bite. I have been searching for an investor for my fathers product. I have even downloaded a PDF of doing business in India last year. It is like most of the Caribbean in that you are not allowed to make money unless you move there with your money, or know someone there with money.I guess you could make money, but they protect the workers better than some other competitors. I have lots of mixed feelings about that and India too. When the government stopped commercial fishing here in the U.S., my family was immediately out of work, so since the only thing that he has ever done was fish, he invented his first fishing lure. That is our product. My idea is an online gambling website to fund manufacturing, but that still takes funding. jeffersonlures.com Type if interested, and have a pleasant day/night.
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