Entrepreneurs Associates ~ Impacting Lives

When a group of first generation entrepreneurs defied the odds by taking to the streets their pleasure to keep ‘dignity of labour’, they weren’t quite sure if it would go well with the crowd in the near future. As students of standard 12, they made the best use of their vacations in the early nineties and sold newspapers to start with.

While they were greatly influenced by the thinking process shared by personalities like Rev. Wati Aier, Niketou Iralu, and Visier Sanyu, who spoke a lot on changing the perspective of the people and practicing dignity of labour, CEO of Entrepreneurs Associates (EA), Neichute Doulo to this day, confesses that their thoughts had huge impact on students like them during 1990-91.

The pioneer organization for entrepreneurs in the state as the brainchild of Neichute Doulo has come a long way today, having worked for the last 12 years in promoting entrepreneurship in Nagaland. As a perfect example himself, he dared to break away from the generous conception of holding a government service, which has always been thought as the ultimate dream of the society.

Even when he was expected to be in the government sector, more so, for being the first postgraduate from his village, he resigned from lectureship to dedicate full-time service to the cause of entrepreneurship.

Starting off with Reach Home Services in 1998, EA, under his competent leadership has 3000 members today, spread over 10 districts of Nagaland. It can confidently take pride in providing Micro finance to about 3000 farmers engaged in agri-allied activities and helping more than 2500 youths to become self-employed till date. On a modest count, the Association has generated meaningful employment to 3000 youths across the state.  It has channelized about Rs.35 Crores for Micro Finance through its partnership with Financial Institutes, Corporates, Social Investors and EA member contributions, and has, more significantly repaid back Banks and social investors their capital with interests. 

To keep an organization growing was never without hard work, or sacrifice. But it seems their efforts have paid off as EA went on to receive India’s first ever Citizens’ Base Award from the Ashoka Innovators in December 2001 at New Delhi.

Clearly seen as a figure for social change, Neichute was also the 5^th Recipient of Naga Mothers Association Award in 2003 for developing Entrepreneurship, sharing platform with the likes of previous recipients including Geoffrey Yaden, Niketou Iralu, and Gokhale. The Chakhesang Youth Front had also given him a lifetime Achievement Award on the basis of being a Social Entrepreneur, and a youth who has immensely contributed to social change.

And yet, dreamers never stop aiming for bigger dreams.

Neichute hopes for EA to make entrepreneurs of at least 10,000 people and expresses that they still have a long way to go because they have not yet reached a total of 3000 presently. He also wishes to see that Naga people become tax payers by 2025, but before that, he has a dream to see Nagaland having an International Airport by 2015.

When asked how EA wishes to contribute towards making this a reality, he simply states that “I believe that once we have a group, a number of serious dynamic people who are not just movers of traders in Nagaland but across North East and India and even abroad, it would become possible.”

Strongly expressing keenness on making this viable, he professes seriousness on building the tallest growth of entrepreneurs in the state while also putting forward that Nagaland now, has lots of shopkeepers which is just the beginning, and emphasizes on creating big business people. “If we have at least few thousands real enterprising Naga people, then the meaning of having an International airport will become real”, he says.

Another concern, he pointed out is that there are no seasoned 3 star hotels in Nagaland for business people from outside to come in and stay. To which end, he also expresses that “our level of entrepreneurship in Nagaland is very poor.”

But without giving up hope, he insists that “there are lots of challenges to think big, and even without the support of banks, we must continue to grow.” “This is the game and challenge for Members of EA”, he says but he was, at the same time glad that they have got the confidence of some of the banks.”

For somebody whose heart goes out for building the state’s economy, it means so much that the Government of Nagaland has declared year 2010-11 as the Year of Entrepreneurs, which has further been extended for another year. “It is a big gesture that the government has given us”, he says with gratitude.

Many young entrepreneurs would, today, testify without any second thoughts that EA, has been the driving force in their careers. With many success stories to share, it has definitely changed the tide of many people’s course of living and it is this change that EA continues to strive for.

Even as the CEO goes on to term the CM Corpus Seed Money of Rupees One Crore as the Dream Loan which was disbursed to 84 selected entrepreneurs as micro finance early this year, it’s obvious that it remains the prime objective of EA to shape the economy of Nagaland by way of enterprising the young and able, and more importantly, inculcate in them, dignity of labour.