I had the good fortune of meeting a diverse set of entrepreneurs in Goa and extending my understanding of agriculture and allied sectors. It is our centuries of colonial conditioning that we don’t think of a few sectors when it comes to ‘allied’ sectors. When we think of value addition or empowering farmer groups, we only look for success in drying, storing and very basic levels of processing. Meeting Hansel Vaz was a learning experience. A geologist who came back to India to work on…Continue Reading “Meeting Hansel Vaz. Talking Feni.”
Despite the countless stories from the Indian agricultural sector, there are many that remain untold. Stories of individual triumph in a depressing and debilitating policy ecosystem. During my recent trip to Goa, I met one such entrepreneur. Desmond Nazareth. He is a hero in select circles and unknown in the Indian agricultural world. He is credited with bringing agave cultivation to India and giving India its own version of tequila. The brand, Desmondji, is probably better known outside than within India. And, the only thing…Continue Reading “Meeting Desmond Nazareth. Talking Mahua Policy”
In this series, I will talk to people who have taken a leap of faith, pursued their passion at a great cost or are balancing their passions with a life that makes it extremely hard to follow those passions. These people should not be seen as heroes or ideals. But they establish that more is possible, alternatives are worthwhile and there is no single lens to look at people and measure them. The series starts with Shivendra Sharma who quit his job at World Bank…Continue Reading “Passion Parade: Shivendra Sharma, Chalung House”