The Tibet Relief Fund of the United Kingdom plans to take up a youth development programme targeting the Tibetan settlers in Bylakuppe of Mysore District.
In association with the Delhi-based Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST), it also proposes to take up a similar programme for the benefit of unemployed young men and women in Mysore.
Addressing a joint press conference in Mysore, Miss Linda Cruse, Project Consultant, Youth Development & Health Training, U.K. and Ms. Aruna Vinodhkumar, Executive Officer, BYST, Cennai Regional Office, said many of the Tibetan young men and women, settled in the rehabilitation camps in India, were uncertain about their job-future, though many of them are well educated. As many as 80 per cent of them are unemployment and they need some sort of job or assistance to start small ventures of their own. Prince Charles was interested in launching a programme for the benefit of these Tibetan young men and women in India. Hence, a joint programme to promote entrepreneurship and job opportunities was being considered, Miss Linda Cruse said.
A public trust and a non-profit organization, BYST gives total assistance to disadvantaged young people, who are in the age group of 18-35, and wish to set up or develop their own business either in manufacturing or servicing sector. This assistance includes finance, professional advice, training, education and guidance till the venture takes off. A loan up to Rs.50,000 is provided to each applicant at the special interest rate offered to small businesses, by banks. The remarkable feature of the Trust is providing each client with a mentor on a one-to-one basis to give personalized advice, monitor progress and develop the business. In the last nine years, it has supported a wide variety of enterprises – from doll-making to desk-top-publishing, herbal cosmetics to hi-tech electronics, enabling wealth creation, said Ms. Aruna
BYST’s success stories include Mrs. P.K. Shoba of Chennai. Availing a loan of Rs.40,000, this 33-year-old, born in a conservative lower income group family, took to screen printing business. After seven years, today her turnover is of the order of Rs. 1.6 million, employing 15 persons. Hailing from a poor family in a village in Haryana, Udham Singh borrowed Rs.50,000 from the BYST and today, after four years, has a turnover of Rs.42 lakhs in agricultural implements. He employs 12 persons. Of the nearly 700 ventures supported by BYST so far, nearly 120 are women. The young entrepreneurs have generated employment for over 2,000 people, generating an annual turnover of Rs. 173 million. Five percent of the BYST high achievers have become millionaires. The Youth Business Initiative (YBI) network currently has 17 counties as members and 15 more are in the pipeline, she said.
The Founding Chairman of the Trust was late JRD Tata and the late H.P.Nanda was the Vice-President. Mr. Mantosh Sondhi is the present Chairman. The Confederation of Indian Industry provides administrative support and strategic linkages, Ms. Aruna said adding that the BYST intended to take up a feasibility study in Karnataka, to begin with covering Bangalore and Mysore. Mysore is more favourable for launching the programme, she said.
