Can we imagine our urban lives without street-side vendors? Probably not. And why is that? Because without them lives of a significant number of people in urban areas can be very tough. But do we realise their necessity? These are the nano-entrepreneurs, who are making a significant contribution to our economy.
If we think about it, the poverty that we find in a country like India, which have an ancient and organic culture and societal ecosystem, is unnatural. The truth is, this poverty we see today is the result of thousands of years of colonisation. But these nano nano-entrepreneurs are a living proof of our unyielding and innovative nature. Yet the same colonial laws in the form of the notorious ‘Tehbazari’ law, are making the lives of these street vendors almost unbearable.
But there are people like the speaker, who are trying to make a difference and bring forth examples to follow.

About the Speaker:
Prof Madhu Purnima Kishwar is an Indian academic, author, and commentator. She is currently employed as a chair Professor in the Indian Council of Social Science Research. Madhu Kishwar is the Founder-Editor of the journal Manushi.