Summary: A Three Wheeled Revolution
"A Three Wheeled Revolution" is an inspiring interview with Irfan Alam, a social entrepreneur who transformed the lives of rickshaw pullers across India. At seventeen, while traveling in a rickshaw, Irfan noticed that the rickshaw puller couldn't afford to carry water bottles to sell. This sparked his first entrepreneurial venture, selling water through rickshaws and making a profit of eight rupees on the first day. His interest in business began even earlier at age thirteen when he started a portfolio management firm after helping his father's friends recover losses from the 1992 stock market scam. In 2006, Irfan won the reality show Business Baazigar with a proposal to organize the rickshaw sector through advertising and product sales on redesigned rickshaws. However, he refused the prize money of 150 lakhs because the organizers wouldn't support his vision of running it as a not-for-profit organization focused on empowering rickshaw pullers. With seed money from family and friends, he founded SammaaN Foundation in 2007. SammaaN helps rickshaw pullers obtain bank loans to own their vehicles instead of renting them, provides training on etiquette and traffic rules, offers accident and health insurance, and supplies uniforms and ID cards. The rickshaws are designed with advertising space, and pullers can sell products like water and mobile cards, splitting profits with SammaaN. This model increased rickshaw pullers' revenues by thirty to forty percent while bringing dignity and inclusion to workers previously considered menial laborers. SammaaN also provides free evening classes for operators' families and has grown to include over 100,000 rickshaw operators across nine states. Irfan believes rickshaws are vehicles of the future due to their environmental friendliness and is developing solar-powered fiberglass rickshaws. He encourages youth to consider entrepreneurship as a career to tackle unemployment, emphasizing that an entrepreneur identifies opportunities and makes conscious efforts to create enterprises.
Summary Malayalam: A Three Wheeled Revolution
"എ ത്രീ വീൽഡ് റെവല്യൂഷൻ" ഇന്ത്യയിലുടനീളം റിക്ഷാ വലിക്കാരുടെ ജീവിതം മാറ്റിമറിച്ച സാമൂഹിക സംരംഭകനായ ഇർഫാൻ ആലത്തിന്റെ പ്രചോദനാത്മകമായ അഭിമുഖമാണ്. പതിനേഴു വയസ്സുള്ളപ്പോൾ, റിക്ഷയിൽ യാത്ര ചെയ്യുമ്പോൾ, റിക്ഷാ വലിക്കാരന് വെള്ളം കുപ്പികൾ വിൽക്കാൻ വാങ്ങാൻ പണമില്ലെന്ന് ഇർഫാൻ ശ്രദ്ധിച്ചു. ഇത് അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ആദ്യ സംരംഭത്തിന് പ്രചോദനമായി, റിക്ഷകളിലൂടെ വെള്ളം വിൽക്കുകയും ആദ്യ ദിവസം എട്ട് രൂപ ലാഭം നേടുകയും ചെയ്തു. പതിമൂന്നാം വയസ്സിൽ തന്നെ 1992 സ്റ്റോക്ക് മാർക്കറ്റ് തട്ടിപ്പിൽ പിതാവിന്റെ സുഹൃത്തുക്കളെ നഷ്ടം വീണ്ടെടുക്കാൻ സഹായിച്ചതിനുശേഷം പോർട്ട്ഫോളിയോ മാനേജ്മെന്റ് സ്ഥാപനം ആരംഭിച്ചതോടെ ബിസിനസിലുള്ള അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ താൽപര്യം ആരംഭിച്ചു. 2006-ൽ, പരസ്യങ്ങളും ഉൽപ്പന്ന വിൽപ്പനയും വഴി റിക്ഷാ മേഖല സംഘടിപ്പിക്കാനുള്ള നിർദ്ദേശവുമായി ബിസിനസ് ബാസിഗർ റിയാലിറ്റി ഷോയിൽ ഇർഫാൻ വിജയിച്ചു. എന്നിരുന്നാലും, റിക്ഷാ വലിക്കാരെ ശാക്തീകരിക്കുന്നതിൽ ശ്രദ്ധ കേന്ദ്രീകരിച്ച് ലാഭേച്ഛയില്ലാത്ത സംഘടനയായി നടത്താനുള്ള തന്റെ കാഴ്ചപ്പാടിനെ പിന്തുണയ്ക്കാത്തതിനാൽ അദ്ദേഹം 150 ലക്ഷം രൂപ സമ്മാനം നിരസിച്ചു. കുടുംബത്തിൽ നിന്നും സുഹൃത്തുക്കളിൽ നിന്നുമുള്ള പണം കൊണ്ട് 2007-ൽ അദ്ദേഹം സമ്മാൻ ഫൗണ്ടേഷൻ സ്ഥാപിച്ചു. വാടകയ്ക്കെടുക്കുന്നതിനുപകരം വാഹനങ്ങൾ സ്വന്തമാക്കാൻ റിക്ഷാ വലിക്കാർക്ക് ബാങ്ക് വായ്പകൾ നേടാൻ സമ്മാൻ സഹായിക്കുന്നു, മര്യാദയിലും ട്രാഫിക് നിയമങ്ങളിലും പരിശീലനം നൽകുന്നു, അപകടവും ആരോഗ്യ ഇൻഷുറൻസും നൽകുന്നു, യൂണിഫോമുകളും ഐഡി കാർഡുകളും നൽകുന്നു. റിക്ഷകൾ പരസ്യ ഇടങ്ങളോടെ രൂപകൽപ്പന ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ട്, വലിക്കാർക്ക് വെള്ളം, മൊബൈൽ കാർഡുകൾ തുടങ്ങിയ ഉൽപ്പന്നങ്ങൾ വിൽക്കാം, സമ്മാനുമായി ലാഭം പങ്കിടാം. ഈ മാതൃക റിക്ഷാ വലിക്കാരുടെ വരുമാനം മുപ്പത് മുതൽ നാൽപ്പത് ശതമാനം വർദ്ധിപ്പിച്ചു, മുമ്പ് നിസ്സാര തൊഴിലാളികളായി കണക്കാക്കപ്പെട്ടിരുന്നവർക്ക് മാന്യതയും ഉൾപ്പെടുത്തലും കൊണ്ടുവന്നു. സമ്മാൻ ഓപ്പറേറ്റർമാരുടെ കുടുംബങ്ങൾക്ക് സൗജന്യ സായാഹ്ന ക്ലാസുകളും നൽകുന്നു, ഒമ്പത് സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിലായി ഒരു ലക്ഷത്തിലധികം റിക്ഷാ ഓപ്പറേറ്റർമാരെ ഉൾപ്പെടുത്തി വളർന്നു. പരിസ്ഥിതി സൗഹൃദത്വം കാരണം റിക്ഷകൾ ഭാവിയുടെ വാഹനങ്ങളാണെന്ന് ഇർഫാൻ വിശ്വസിക്കുന്നു, സോളാർ ഊർജ്ജത്തിൽ പ്രവർത്തിക്കുന്ന ഫൈബർഗ്ലാസ് റിക്ഷകൾ വികസിപ്പിക്കുകയാണ്. തൊഴിലില്ലായ്മ നേരിടാൻ സംരംഭകത്വത്തെ കരിയറായി പരിഗണിക്കാൻ യുവാക്കളെ അദ്ദേഹം പ്രോത്സാഹിപ്പിക്കുന്നു.
About Irfan Alam
Irfan Alam is the founder and chairman of SammaaN Foundation, an Indian social enterprise that organizes the rickshaw pulling sector. The name "SammaaN" means "Respect" in Hindi, reflecting his mission to bring dignity to rickshaw operators. Despite being a first-generation entrepreneur, Alam's innovative approach to empowering those at the bottom of India's social hierarchy has earned widespread recognition. He won Business Baazigar, a competitive reality television show for entrepreneurs, and the World Bank's Innovation Award. The Times of India recognized him as one of the Top 30 Youth Icons of India, and his business model was featured by The Economist. At the 2010 Entrepreneurship Summit in Washington DC, President Obama complimented him saying, "You are doing a tougher job than me." Through his leadership, SammaaN has built a family of over 100,000 rickshaw operators across nine states in India, providing them with insurance, training, uniforms, and most importantly, dignity and economic empowerment.
Questions and Answers
Which incident shows that Irfan had a problem-solving skill?
When Irfan was seventeen and traveling in a rickshaw, he became thirsty and asked the rickshaw puller for water. The puller explained he didn't carry water bottles because he couldn't afford to buy and stock them. Instead of simply accepting this situation, Irfan immediately recognized a business opportunity. He realized there was a market for selling water bottles in rickshaws. The very next day, he approached five rickshaw pullers, gave them eight bottles each, and proposed splitting the two-rupee profit per bottle equally. On the first day itself, he made a profit of eight rupees. This incident demonstrates his problem-solving ability because he identified a gap in the market, quickly devised a solution that benefited both parties, and immediately took action to implement it.
Why does Irfan think that entrepreneurship is in his blood?
Irfan believes entrepreneurship is in his blood because he demonstrated business acumen from a very early age. During the 1992 stock market scam, when his father and many friends lost money, thirteen-year-old Irfan started researching the stock market and various companies. Using his advice, all his father's friends not only recovered their losses but also started making profits. This success enabled him to start his first portfolio management firm at just thirteen years old. His natural ability to identify opportunities, analyze market situations, and provide valuable financial guidance at such a young age convinced him that business instincts were inherent in his nature. His continued interest in the rickshaw business throughout his college years, despite parental discouragement, further reinforced this belief.
What encouraged Irfan to open his own portfolio management firm?
Irfan was encouraged to open his portfolio management firm after successfully helping his father and friends recover from the 1992 stock market scam. When his father and many friends lost substantial money in the scam, young Irfan took an interest in the stock market and began researching various companies. He provided investment advice that enabled all of his father's friends to recover their losses and subsequently make profits. This remarkable achievement at such a young age demonstrated his financial expertise and analytical skills. The success of his advice and the trust people placed in his judgment gave him the confidence and encouragement to establish his first portfolio management firm at the age of thirteen, marking the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.
What was Irfan's prize winning business proposal?
Irfan's prize-winning business proposal aimed to organize the rickshaw sector and make it a profitable venture through multiple revenue streams. According to his proposal, rickshaws would be redesigned to create spaces on the vehicles that could be sold for advertising and brand promotion purposes. Additionally, he proposed that rickshaw operators could generate extra income by selling products like water, juice, biscuits, mobile cards, and newspapers to passengers. This innovative model would transform rickshaws from simple transportation vehicles into mobile retail and advertising platforms. The proposal combined social impact with business viability, recognizing the potential of the vast rickshaw network across India while addressing the economic challenges faced by rickshaw pullers. This comprehensive vision won him the Business Baazigar competition and an offer of 150 lakhs in seed money.
Why did Irfan refuse the prize money of the TV reality show?
Irfan refused the 150 lakh prize money because the organizers of Business Baazigar didn't agree with his vision for running the venture. He realized that the entry barrier to this business was very low, and the only way to sustain it was to earn the loyalty of rickshaw pullers. He wanted to provide insurance, ID cards, and uniforms to the operators and run it as a not-for-profit organization. He believed this model would be the best way to sustain the business and the easiest way to help rickshaw pullers get bank loans. However, the show organizers disagreed with this not-for-profit approach. Rather than compromise his vision of empowering rickshaw pullers and creating a sustainable social enterprise, Irfan chose to refuse the substantial seed capital and pursue his dream on his own terms.
Where did Irfan get the seed money for his project?
After refusing the 150 lakh prize money from Business Baazigar, Irfan obtained seed money from family and friends to establish SammaaN Foundation in 2007. As he learned more about the lives and struggles of rickshaw pullers, his business idea evolved into a true social cause. He discovered that most of India's ten million rickshaw pullers didn't own their vehicles but rented them for thirty to forty rupees daily, leaving barely enough to sustain their families. Inspired by C.K. Prahalad's idea that businesses can succeed by targeting the bottom of the pyramid, Irfan convinced his family and friends to invest in his vision of empowering rickshaw pullers through ownership, dignity, and increased revenue opportunities.
What kind of facilities does SammaaN offer the rickshaw pullers?
SammaaN offers comprehensive facilities to rickshaw pullers. First, they help operators obtain bank loans to purchase their own rickshaws, acting as guarantors since banks were previously reluctant to lend to this section of society. Before receiving loans, operators undergo a verification process and receive training on basic etiquette and traffic rules. SammaaN provides accident and health insurance to all operators, ensuring their safety and wellbeing. Each driver receives an ID card and uniform, which they must wear while operating, creating a professional identity. The rickshaws are designed with advertising space, and operators can sell products like water, juice, and mobile prepaid cards, splitting profits fifty-fifty with SammaaN. Additionally, SammaaN offers free evening classes called SammaaN Gyaan for the operators' children and spouses, promoting education and family development.
What are the 'other benefits' offered to the rickshaw pullers other than monetary benefits?
Beyond the thirty to forty percent increase in revenues, SammaaN provides several intangible benefits to rickshaw pullers. The operators gain a sense of belonging and empowerment by becoming part of the SammaaN family rather than remaining isolated workers. Owning their own vehicles instead of renting gives them dignity and pride in their work. The uniforms and ID cards create a professional identity, transforming how society views them and how they view themselves. Free evening classes through SammaaN Gyaan enable their children and spouses to access education, breaking the cycle of poverty and opening new opportunities for the next generation. Most importantly, SammaaN has brought dignity and social inclusion to workers who were previously considered menial laborers and existed at the margins of society, giving them respect and recognition as legitimate businesspeople and valued members of the community.
What are the other activities of SammaaN foundation?
Beyond organizing the rickshaw sector, SammaaN Foundation conducts several other activities. The foundation runs SammaaN Gyaan, free evening classes for the children and spouses of rickshaw operators, promoting education and skill development among their families. SammaaN has a Research and Development wing that is actively working on developing solar-powered, fiberglass rickshaws, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability. The foundation also focuses on sustainability and profitability, having achieved a net profit of eight lakh rupees and revenue of fifty lakh rupees in their last fiscal year. Irfan has been invited to Bangladesh by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus to help establish a similar organization for rickshaw workers there, indicating SammaaN's expanding influence beyond India.
Why does Irfan think that the rickshaw is not a dying breed of transportation?
Irfan believes rickshaws continue to be relevant and are actually growing in importance. He points out that rickshaws remain a popular mode of transportation in most parts of India. In fact, the number of rickshaws in New Delhi has increased by twenty percent in the last two to three years. The primary reason for this growth is that rickshaws have become the preferred form of transport for carrying passengers to and from metro stations, perfectly complementing modern transportation infrastructure. More importantly, Irfan personally believes rickshaws are vehicles of the future because they are environmentally friendly, producing zero emissions unlike motorized vehicles. This environmental advantage makes them increasingly valuable in an era of climate change and urban pollution. SammaaN's R&D wing is further enhancing this by developing solar-powered, fiberglass rickshaws, demonstrating that traditional transportation can evolve with modern technology.
What do you understand by 'solar-powered' rickshaws?
Solar-powered rickshaws are an innovative development being pursued by SammaaN's Research and Development wing. These are rickshaws made from fiberglass and equipped with solar panels that harness energy from the sun. The solar power would likely assist the rickshaw puller by providing electric propulsion, reducing the physical effort required to pull the vehicle, especially on inclines or over long distances. This technology represents a fusion of traditional eco-friendly transportation with modern renewable energy. Solar-powered rickshaws would maintain the environmental benefits of conventional rickshaws while making the work less physically demanding for operators. This innovation demonstrates how traditional livelihoods can be preserved and improved through technology, making rickshaws even more sustainable and operator-friendly while positioning them as genuinely futuristic vehicles rather than outdated modes of transport.
What is Irfan's suggestion to tackle unemployment in our country?
Irfan suggests that entrepreneurship should be considered as a serious career option to tackle unemployment in India. He defines an entrepreneur as someone who identifies an opportunity and puts in conscious efforts to make it an enterprise. He acknowledges that people generally discourage youth from pursuing entrepreneurship, but argues it is time to change this mindset. By viewing entrepreneurship as a legitimate and viable career path rather than a risky alternative, young people can create their own employment opportunities instead of solely depending on existing jobs. When individuals start enterprises, they not only employ themselves but also create jobs for others, multiplying the impact on unemployment. His own journey from a teenage water-bottle seller to the founder of an organization employing over 100,000 people demonstrates the job-creation potential of entrepreneurship. He believes that encouraging and supporting entrepreneurial thinking among youth can be an important and powerful tool to address India's unemployment challenge.