Скачать или смотреть Silent Leadership, Scalable Impact: The Ecosystem Vision of S. Sivakumar | Ek दिशा Moments

In this special episode of Ek Disha Moment, host Vijay Mahote sits down with S. Sivakumar, the Head of ITC's Agri and IT Business, for an insightful conversation about his life, career, and the revolution he spearheaded: the e-Choupal model.

Discover how a single vision transformed the lives of millions of Indian farmers by bridging the digital divide and creating market linkages that were previously unimaginable.

Key Moments & Time Stamps:
1. Early Life, Aspirations, and Purpose

04:25 - The 'Kurnool Days': Why the Civil Services (District Collector) was the original career dream, leading to a crucial decision against Engineering.

09:10 - "I Walked Into Poverty Face-to-Face": The National Service Scheme (NSS) survey that became the first pivotal 'dot' in his journey toward rural focus.

14:55 - The inspiration from Dr. Kurien and the Amul Cooperative Model that shaped his decision to join IRMA (Institute of Rural Management).

18:30 - The parental concerns and the assurance model created by IRMA to attract bright minds to the rural sector.

2. The Genesis of E-Choupal

20:15 - Joining ITC and grappling with the challenges of making Indian agricultural exports competitive globally against the backdrop of the WTO.

23:40 - The Digital Trigger: Chairman Mr. Deveshwar's challenging question that sparked the idea of using web-based technology in the rural context.

26:10 - The Boardroom Story: Asking for ₹50 Lakhs for experimentation but receiving an extraordinary offer of ₹10 Crores with the mandate to give the idea a "full-blooded try."

28:35 - The initial, practical challenges: dealing with technology adoption, building trust, and ensuring the infrastructure (like computers and solar panels) could withstand the rural environment.

The Core Philosophy: Sivkumar Sir emphasises that Enterprise is the solution to poverty, not government dole or subsidy. E-Choupal built a "virtual cooperative" using enlightened self-interest to drive farmer prosperity.

Featuring

S. Sivakumar — Group Head, Agri & IT Businesses, ITC Limited | Creator of e-Choupal
Vijay Mahnot — Upscaling Strategist & Business Mentor | Leadership Strategist

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