38-year-old Avinash Dhume, a resident of Pune, took the risk of setting up a publication house specialising in affordable educational material in 2007 with a meagre Rs 20,000, and now is nominated in the People's Choice category of Youth Business International Award.
Avinash could win a prize of USD 1,000 if he won through a voting procedure beginning from July 9 to July 16. The Youth Business International was founded in 2000 by The Prince of Wales, who continues to be its president.
"My family was apprehensive about my start up, fearing it would not last long and that I would not find a job either, but the wait was worth it," Dhume, who looks after a family of seven, and is the father of a four-year-old son, told PTI.
A "magical experience", Dhume said about his business adventure 'Kaushalya Publications', which he started with financial support and mentoring from Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST). Dhume generated Rs 9.50 lakh to start up along with his other two partners Ajay Gaekwad (37) and Adhinath Koshti (36).
"We worked together in a publication and realised what the company gains out of its sales, we get paid very less in comparison. So why not start something of our own? So we took the plunge," Dhume said.
"Avinash is a proud example of India's inclusive growth story. You don't have to be at the top to give back to the society. Such small scale entrepreneurs are more aware of their community and their responsibility towards it than those who are at the top," BYST co-founder Laxmi Venkateshan said.
Competing with several publishers in the state was not easy for Dhume and they had to interact with students, teachers and student to understand their needs. Finally they came up with academic books which were more attractive and reasonably priced, he said. MORE