Recently, I gifted myself a cute pouch. I love its fabric and finishing. The pouch is thick, sturdy and perfect to keep my books safe while travelling. The idea, though, of buying this pouch was not only for my books. It was also to invest in change.
Investing in change refers to an investment, of time, money or other resources, in a cause that can change the world for the better.
We can invest in change in several ways. In order to make the world greener, we can spend time planting trees. To reduce air pollution, we can spend time walking instead of driving. This way we improve our health, too. We can volunteer our time at local schools to help the next generation have more educated individuals. We can donate to clean-water charities or conserve water ourselves. We can also take part in social investing.
Social investing is when you invest, with money, to help a social cause. Here, you become the investor and the person who is carrying out the social cause is the investee as they require the capital (initial funding to start a business). Rang De is one such platform where you can invest in a social cause. Rang De is an organization that helps you understand which genuine social causes need an investor. You are free to invest any amount from Rs 100/- and above. I have also invested in a cause from Karnataka.
There are plenty of NGOs that thrive on donations. Rang De is a platform that aims at empowering rural women entrepreneurs. Repaying the loan promotes the idea of responsible borrowing, just not from a bank. This way, depending on the effort put in, only the investee is responsible for her own growth.
As we all know, taking loans from banks is impossible when your family is under the poverty line and does not have collateral.
The duo, Ram and Smita, founded Rang De because they envisioned a developed India and felt that this was possible only with credit. So, with minimal investment from social investors like us, Rang De can help passionate rural artisans to begin their entrepreneurial journey.
Rang De also empowers women from rural areas. The organization also provides unbanked farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs access to educational resources, markets, financial services, business training, mentorship opportunities, etc. They provide assistance, in many ways, to help improve their livelihoods.
Thanks to many Rang De social investors, rural women entrepreneurs have managed to start small businesses. One such example is Runway Nagaland. Runway Nagaland, a sub-division of Runway India, managed to raise Rs. 5,00,000/- and begin their journey to success. That’s where I bought my pretty pouch.
Runway India provides a selling platform to artisans specializing in handmade local crafts like banana fiber, bamboo, Nagaland indigenous handmade jewellery etc. and delivers pan India. Their vision is to uplift and empower native artisans, mostly women, because they believe that every art form deserves to be known. You have to check out their variety of Nagaland Heritage jewellery, baskets, mats, planters, coasters, etc. as well as handloom items such as cushion covers, table runners, tote bags, handbags, etc. They are currently 32 employees strong.
Having said this, even if you feel that you do not have the bandwidth to invest your money, you can surely gift your loved one something from Runway India (like I gifted myself) or maybe spread the news among your friends and family about this beautiful initiative by Rang De. I’m sure you can find many ways to invest in change.
And, hopefully, soon we will be able to build a poverty-free India for our children. Or possibly at the least shift our perennial status of a ‘developing nation’ to a ‘developed country’.
What do you think?
This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter
initiative with RangDe.
This blog post is part of the
blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Bohemian Bibliophile.
30 Comments
Cindy, the pouch is very pretty. I am so proud of you that you took this step to help Runway India. The small steps can do wonders in creating a big impact on their entrepreneurial endeavors.
What a great way to empower underserved women.
Small changes in our lifestyle that makes us who we are as a person and how we value our culture and how we can impact on our society. It is importnat to nurish your value and work on that.
To me, the name Rang De itself sounded very much Indian. And the pouch is very pretty. I always prefer buying from local artisans. Thank you for introducing me to this new initiative. Will see if I can find a way to invest in it in my India trip .
Small steps always make the most lasting results! I am all in for making these kinds of changes. Excellent initiative by Rang De.
A really pretty pouch. Rang De does have an interesting concept of loans instead of donations. Have seen it being a lot more effective. I am still on the fence about collaborating with them, though. Not too comfortable sharing my Aadhaar and PAN card details.
Hmmm!
This kind of small changes in our lifestyle that molds us where our values are is what makes our society at its best. Supporting causes like this not only helps the society but also makes you feel good as a person.
True, Jeannine!
I firmly believe in brands that promote sustainability or donate for change – this is why I love heads up for tails, they actually invest in caring for dogs with every rupee spent. Great read
Thanks, Meetali!
I am reading a lot about social investing and Rang de initiative. Your pouch looks beautiful and it is such a noble thought to invest in social causes.
I really want to write about Rangde but I couldn’t understand the concept. Thank you for the clarity and throwing light on it in layman terms for me It is a pathbreaking venture and we should all support the cause.
I was in your place some time ago, Harjeet!
The pouch looks really pretty. Rang De has a good concept. Instead of giving donations, giving them loans makes them more self-reliant and better entrepreneurs. I will surely check out their website.
Rang De is creating finance in the most unique way. Not only is it involving socially responsible people in their enterprise but ensuring financial responsibility in the rural folk too. Great initiative.
That is a cool idea to invest than just buy as we regularly do. In a lot of cases simple folk from rural areas prefer to borrow more easily from organisations than from banks as there is some kind of fear of interests and collateral. This is a nice initiative and so nice that you became a part of it by investing in that lovely vibrant pouch.
There are many stores offering branded and superior quality products but when we buy products from local brands like Runway India it gives a sense of satisfaction. Especially during diwali I ensure to shop from local brands only and it feels so good. Truly its a wonderful way to make contribution towards society and uplift the local brands for a brighter economic future of India at large.
Great initiative Cindy. Investing in social cause for change is great TO help rural specially woman entrepeneurs. I heard a lot from last 2 months and would like TO buy that pretty pink pouch, or things from Banana leafs too. The great way to help rural entrepeneurs.
The pouch looks artistic plus you have written about the range in an easily understandable manner. If people below the poverty line get a better livelihood what else could be better that will make India a developed nation.
Inspiring and motivating, is how I shall sum up your post. Thanks for the info on the Rang De cause. Will try associating with it myself.
You have explained all about investing in change in a concise manner. The pouch is a good way to begin the change. Am going to check the Runway India site and also Rang De.
Well done, Cindy. Rather than buying from brands who in the end do not value us as customers, it is best to buy from skilled rural artisans. That way they earn and we also get a good value for our money.
Thank you, Janaki!
It’s a brilliant idea… to buy/invest for change. 3 cheers to Rang De for conceptualizing n executing this initiative.
PS: that pouch is really colourful n pretty.
Thanks, Kaveri!
The pouch caught my attention and the after going tru the blog I understood. Who doesn’t want a poverty free India thanks for sharing this, it will definitely make a difference to many.
I am hearing lot about this. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on social investing. It’s great to see that you are using your financial resources to make a positive impact on society. Social investing is a powerful way to contribute to social change and support causes that align with our values. I agree that platforms like Rang De provide a valuable opportunity for individuals to identify and invest in genuine social causes. Your actions are a testament to the fact that anyone can make a difference in the world through social investing. Keep up the good work!
This pouch looks really cute and nice, I will surely check Rang De India and see how I can help by investing. Thanks for sharing all these details.
Rang De, is doing some amazing work. This is such an innovative approach to further social causes. And the best part is that anyone can participate in this pathbreaking effort.