Socio-economic Dimensions of Entrepreneurship in India

UGC sponsored National seminar at SKSD Mahila Kalasala College at Tanuku, Andhra Pradesh

(Dr. Shankar Chatterjee)

A two-day UGC-sponsored national seminar was held on March 24 and 25, 2025, at Smt. Kondepati Sarojini Devi Mahila Kalasala UG and PG (AUTONOMOUS) Tanuku, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, popularly known as SKSD Mahila Kalasala College. The research papers were presented on March 24 and 25, 2025, Altogether, 52 papers were presented on both days, all were scholarly papers. The Seminar topic was “Socio-economic Dimensions of Entrepreneurship in India: Historical and Political Perspectives.”  On the first day, the inaugural address was delivered by chef guest Dr Shankar Chatterjee, Former Prof and Head (CPME), NIRDPR, Hyderabad. He emphasized that this was the need of the hour. According to him, entrepreneurs play a vital role in economic development. They serve as the catalysts in the process of industrialization and economic growth. Technical progress alone cannot lead to economic development unless technological breakthroughs are put to economic use by entrepreneurs. The entrepreneur organizes and puts capital, labour, and technology into production. Through PowerPoint, Prof Chatterjee presented many cases of entrepreneurs he had studied nationwide. 

In the seminar, the special invitees were Dr Alluri Venkata Nagavarma, DNR College, Bhimavaram; L. Kumaraswamy; and G. Jai Ram Kumar, both DCB Bank. In the inaugural function, the guests of honour were K.V. Subba Rao, President of SKSD Group of Colleges; Smt Chitturi Satya Usha Rani, Secretary and Correspondent of SKSD Group of Colleges; and Chitturi Venkata Krishna Rao, Joint Secretary of SKSD Group of Colleges. Around 200 academicians attended on the first day. On the second day, i.e., on the concluding day (March 25, 2025), a valedictory session took place after the technical session.  In the valedictory session, two guest speakers addressed the gatherings.  One was Dr. V.V.S. Rama Krishna, Asst. Prof. (Economics), Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam, spoke mainly about the importance of micro, small and medium enterprises.  Another person was Prof Shankar Chatterjee, who delivered his valedictory speech on the second day as a guest of honour. The seminar was meticulously organised, and in every respect, it was perfect. The convenor and co-convenor of the National Seminar were respectively Mrs. G. Aruna Kumari, Head of the Department (Economics) and A. Naganna, Head of the Department (History), who, with great sincerity and dedication, organised with the support of the Principal Capt. U. Lakshmi Sundari Bai and management of the College. On both days, Kum Charitha, a college student, presented prayer songs with her melodious voice. 

Notably, the SKSD College was established in 1982 to create educational facilities for women/girls. The College is now renowned for discipline and excellent coaching under the leadership of Principal Capt. U. Lakshmi Sundari Bai and her team. The sprawling campus spread over 8 acres has playgrounds, an Indoor stadium, a Badminton Academy, a Spacious Auditorium, a Language Lab, a Computer Lab, and other laboratories, a Seminar Hall, a Net Centre, a Central library, Hostels, e-classrooms, Wi-Fi campus, and other infrastructural facilities useful for the learners. The UGC conferred Autonomous Status in 2015, reflecting the academic surge and human endeavors. The Accreditation of the SKSD Mahila Kalasala with a B++ Grade in 2007, re-accreditation of a B Grade with a 2.81 CGPA in 2012, thrice accreditation of a B++ Grade with a 2.82 CGPA in 2018, and Autonomous Status conferred by the UGC in 2015 reflects the academic surge and human endeavors. The SKSD image is prevalent not only in the field of education but also in the fields of sports and games. The SKSD students have secured an overall championship seven times at the university level. The students have participated in games and sports competitions at university, inter-university, and National Levels several times. The latest milestone is the construction of a sports hostel (2015) to accommodate the sports aspirants from the rural and remote areas on the campus. Chitturi Subbarao Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy (2013) was established to kindle the Sports Spirit through coaching and training. Besides serving the needs of the students on the campus, the Academy also provides free and subsidized Shuttle Badminton Coaching and Training to aspiring children across the State. The college management initiated many other social development programmes, including plantations, feeding to the poor, and orphans. Swatch Bharath, blood donation camps, HIV/AIDS Awareness Camps, relief camps for disaster-affected people, National Integration Camps of NSS including the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas – Run for Unity rally, farmer Support Services by creating awareness on modern methods of farming. This reflects the corporate social responsibility dimension of the institution (sksdmahilakalasala.ac.in/).

I participated as the Chief Guest in the seminar, and I highly appreciate the hospitality provided to me by the college’s management. I am grateful to them. I wish all the students a bright future and the prosperity of this institution.

(Author is Former Prof & Head (CPME), NIRD&PR (Govt. of India), Hyderabad)