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India entrepreneurial landscape is rapidly evolving. In this special interview, we spoke with Dr. Milind Kamble, Chairman of DICCI (Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry), who has pioneered inclusive growth and tribal entrepreneurship in the country.
Dr. Kamble discusses how India’s tribal arts, culture, and food are creating new business opportunities and how government schemes like Stand Up India, the rise of skill development programs, and the rapid success of the franchise model are shaping the future. Let’s explore how Dr. Kamble’s relentless efforts are driving a new revolution by uplifting tribal talent, preserving Indian heritage, and leveraging modern business models.
The government is moving quickly towards tribal entrepreneurship. What are your thoughts on this?
Dr.Milind Kamble: Entrepreneurship requires skills and domain knowledge. If we look at tribal communities, they are filled with innovation and diversity, especially in their arts and food. When we worked with them, we realized that though they are among the most vulnerable, they have great potential to become entrepreneurs.
Their craftsmanship is incredible—like Dokra art, Warli paintings, and more. Anyone who sees their work will be fascinated. For example, in Dantewada, there was an IAS officer, Praveer Krishna, who later worked with TRIFED. He helped establish a tribal food park there. Tribal food is extremely nutritious—millets like Kodo, now being promoted by the government as 'Shree Ann,' are traditional foods rich in fiber and highly consumed in tribal and poor communities.
As DICCI, we’ve introduced various support systems like venture capital funds, the Stand Up India scheme, and other programs to promote tribal entrepreneurs. Recently, I visited Mumbai's Dalal Street, where a tribal entrepreneur, a DICCI member, launched his franchise 'Harleys' with a premium showroom. This reminded me of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who, after returning from America in 1917, had also opened a consultancy on Dalal Street.
I also run a fashion brand and appointed Doman Tudu, a tribal entrepreneur from Jamshedpur, as the fashion ambassador for my brand. My daughter is actively working with DICCI Next Gen and organized a tribal cultural festival in Pune where tribal artists and entrepreneurs showcased their work. They also featured traditional tribal dances, food, and unique dishes like 'Bamboo Chicken'—an aromatic delicacy where chicken is marinated and cooked inside green bamboo, giving it an incredible flavor.
Our mission is to bring tribal entrepreneurs forward and take their art and culture to national and international platforms.
Is the government also supporting franchise businesses?
Dr. Milind Kamble: Yes, the Stand Up India scheme, which was originally my concept, has benefited around 70,000 SC and ST youths who received collateral-free loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore. Among these, approximately 20,000 are tribal entrepreneurs.
In my view, the franchise model is the easiest and most successful way to start a business in India. Franchising is a ‘plug and play’ and ‘cash and carry’ model—where you get an established brand, ready customers, and as soon as you start, you begin earning immediately.
Unlike startups that take years to establish and begin production, franchising delivers quick results. Many entrepreneurs have successfully started their businesses using this model under the Stand Up India scheme.
The government is also focusing on skill development. What would you like to say about this?
Dr.Milind Kamble: Yes, the Government of India is giving significant importance to skill development. They’ve created a dedicated Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, under which the National Skill Development Council is actively working in partnership with industry.
The government is identifying essential skills across various sectors, including domestic services, construction, hospitality, and even ancient traditional skills. Through this ecosystem, large-scale skill development and upskilling are being carried out.
Additionally, the recently launched Vishwakarma Yojana focuses on preserving, upgrading, and modernizing the skills of India’s traditional artisans while also promoting future-ready skills.
The government is working to ensure that every individual, including those from SC, ST, and general communities, has access to quality skill development so they can become self-reliant. DICCI is fully aligned with this mission, and we are actively collaborating with the government on this transformative journey.
Conclusion:
Through this insightful conversation with Dr. Milind Kamble, we learned that India's real strength lies in its diversity, cultural heritage, and grassroots entrepreneurship. The tribal communities of India possess extraordinary talents in art, food, and culture that are not just national treasures but also hold immense potential in global markets.
Government schemes like Stand Up India, the franchise model, and skill development programs have now opened up accessible pathways for youth and tribal entrepreneurs to succeed. Dr. Kamble
message that the "franchise model is plug and play and the fastest way to start earning" is a powerful takeaway for every aspiring entrepreneur.
This conversation is not just a call to action for promoting tribal and youth entrepreneurship but also a testament to the fact that with the right guidance and support, every citizen in India can become a successful entrepreneur.
