LEARNING TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT – MICRO ENTREPRENEURS 

The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.

                                                               Abraham Maslow, American Psychologist (1908-70)

In a world that often feels overwhelmed by the past or consumed by the future, it’s important to remember the power of living in the present moment. Embracing the present not only allows us to fully experience life’s joys and challenges but also cultivates a mindful and fulfilling existence.

Having grown up in an old locality[1] of Bangalore, very close to the main business district situated around the Mahatma Gandhi road, I was familiar with micro- entrepreneurs[2] – typically street vendors, push-cart vendors, petty shop-keepers and even auto drivers.  Though I have been living in this locality for most of my life, it was only after registering for my doctoral research in the area of entrepreneurship (2002), I started observing them closely.

Most of these entrepreneurs have migrated to this locality from different regions of Karnataka, neighbouring States of Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu, though during the last decade a few have come from Northern and Eastern regions of India. While generally people migrate for obtaining employment, everyone may not get a job. Even if they get, it may not be permanent. Some of them have dared to become micro entrepreneurs by borrowing the needed capital from money lenders at an exorbitant rate of interest (it could be as high as five percent per day!) to survive and some have become to get rid of uncertainty of jobs and be on their own.

These entrepreneurs generally deal with consumables like beverages, flowers, fruits, packaged milk/curds, snacks, vegetables, etc., that are essential for day-to-day living. During the last couple of decades, with a few old buildings giving way to multi-storeyed commercial complexes that house offices, ATMs and Software companies, many food-carts have mushroomed in our area. In my guestimate drop-out rate (giving up their business) of these entrepreneurs is much less than the students drop-out rates in government/ corporation schools of Bangalore! Hence, the number of micro entrepreneurs in our locality has been on the increase over the years.  With so many being there for each of the items sold, I was curious to know how they manage to meet both ends – income and family expenses and how they sustain their businesses over time.

Most of these micro-entrepreneurs have learnt to live for the day and they work throughout the year except for a few days when they are not well or travelling to their native village. Some of them own a piece of cultivable land and a dwelling in their native village. Some have more than one business, especially the auto drivers. Many of them are school dropouts.  I have come across auto drivers who are theatre artists, social workers and part-time singers. I have never heard these micro-entrepreneurs complaining about their situation unlike some of the employees who work in organised sector.

These entrepreneurs have a pattern in the process of managing their business – timings, procurement and pricing. They generally have very good memory and understanding of their customers. Though the transacted amounts are meagre, they converse comfortably with their customers and keep them engaged. Generally they have strong faith in the Almighty and regularly visit places of worship.  It is interesting to note that some are even second generation micro entrepreneurs, taking over the reins from their parent!  But, many of them want their next generation to get educated and join some employment.

If I have to summarise some of the general characteristics of these micro-entrepreneurs they could be –

  • They are physically fit and hard working
  • They are enthusiastic and energetic
  • They help each other in times of need
  • They have respect for elders.

Some of these micro-entrepreneurs are the happiest people, not too much worried about tomorrow, but living for the day!

[1] Halasuru, or Ulsoor, is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Bengaluru. It probably began as a small settlement centred around the Someshwara Temple, one of the oldest temples in Bangalore dating back to 11th Century. In the mid-1500s, Halasuru was one of the 12 hoblis (clusters of villages) granted by Achutaraya, the then ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire, to the local chieftain Kempegowda. The first British Military station was established in Halasuru in 1807. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India)

[2] In the context of this blog, micro-entrepreneurs are not the typical small size entrepreneurs as per the standard academic definition, but are those who perform small size trading of products or services and do not possess much educational attainments.

January 13, 2025 | Ravi 96