Dalita Bandhu scheme bears fruit, three persons from Rajanna Sircilla dt become entrepreneurs employing 50

HYDERABAD: When three Dalit youths joined hands together to effectively use an opportunity that came their way, it's not just that they made use of a scheme, but they emerged into entrepreneurs.

Their spirited approach resulted in them providing employment to 50 people and could grow into many more being employed with time. An idea, indeed, can change lives.

It’s a saga of three villagers who manifested the actual idea of the Telangana Government’s Dalita Bandhu scheme into a reality. With their sheer dit of grit and determination, they turned into entrepreneurs in the same dusty lanes and bylanes of the village where they spent their childhood.

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Minister Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao (KTR), on Monday, inaugurated a rice mill in Almaspur Village of Yellareddypet mandal in Rajanna Sircilla district. The mill owners -- Sudhamalla Rajeshwari, her husband Vijay Kumar and an acquaintance of theirs, Dappula Lingaih -- are all beneficiaries of the ‘Dalita Bandhu’ programme.

KTR wanted us to become entrepreneurs

In May 2022, the couple and Lingaih were announced as beneficiaries of the scheme. They approached the bank for a loan of Rs 2 crore, which was provided to them under the T-Pride Scheme. They purchased a four-tonne rice milling machine, three acres of land near Almaspur and registered themselves as an industry under the name of Maheshwari Industries.

Additional Collector of Rajanna Sircilla Kheemya Naik allowed the rice mill to mill 29,948.40 quintals of paddy in the Kharif season of 2022. After the season, they completed the construction of the mill, godown facilities and also changed the name of the rice mill from Maheshwari Industries to Vijayalakshmi Industries.

Sudhamalla Vijay Kumar returned from Dubai. “For 10 years, I was In Dubai. I struggled to find jobs and have many loans to clear. I was worried about my future and the future of my daughters. When it was announced that I was a beneficiary under the scheme, my brother approached me with this idea. I saw hope and I am grateful to the government for this scheme. It has changed our lives,” said Vijay Kumar.

His wife, Rajeshwari said, “KTR once said that beneficiaries of this scheme should not just buy vehicles, but they should collaborate and set up an industry or factory and that he would inaugurate it. I am happy he is here for the inauguration.”

Dappula Lingaih, a partner in this venture, said, “I was a daily wage worker throughout my life. This scheme has made me an owner. I am truly grateful to KCR and KTR for kindling hope and light into our lives.”

The rice mill now is set up in 4,000 sq ft of area. It is currently providing employment to 50 people. The entrepreneurs hope to expand the facility and employ more people in the future.