Satya Chakrapani

In the year 1999, I was at the crossroads to decide whether to go to US for further studies and work there or to renounce the public life. I had admission in hand for Master in International Development and MBA with a significant scholarship. But in early 2000 8 met few of my old friends who were working with EDII and they introduced me to this institute. On the advice of one of them I applied to EDI and opted for PGDMN. I got admission and landed on the campus. Until then I wasn’t sure what I was entering into and also struggled for a month to settle into new reality. During this time I had very good interactions with Dr. Dinesh Awasthi who came from same city as I, with Prof. Baptista and Dr. Krishna. These interactions helped me to see an opportunity to work towards closer interactions between corporates and NGO which certainly required a lot of reorientation within me. They challenge to see through hope and aspirations for India. In couple of months’ time there was a huge gathering of NGOs and had a lot of conversation with them and also with several international participants for various programs.
Library’s was great and as Ioved reading so I did just that and read all kinds of books available. This helps me to settle and develops friends with others too. EDII facilitated my interaction with industry and also to make me not only sympathiser but partner. A socialist had become a friend with business world and to imagine this world differently and convergence of efforts of wealth creation and distribution responsibly.
New relationships were formed which have enriched me and here I found my passion and became an entrepreneur.

Shikhar came into existence to facilitate and catalyse improved economic situation for the poor and underprivileged sections of our society. This segment is vulnerable to a decline in income and finds it difficult to survive many household crises. We planned to achieve its objectives through the provision of timely, adequate and relevant financial products and services and thus facilitate the development and protection of their livelihoods. In achieving the vision of the organization, Shikhar intends to offer microfinance services, strengthen the safety net, and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of society. Shikhar’s activities span 5 states catered by 26 branch offices.