Jalandhar, Feb 28

An entrepreneur and rural marketing expert Sarabjit Singh Puri shared his insights on various strategies involved in rural marketing at an expert lecture on Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Rural India hosted by DAV University. The expert at the event organised under the aegis of the Institute Innovation Council (IIC) and the Department of Mechanical Engineering laid emphasis on the integration of technology with traditional advertising methods for targeting a vast unmanipulated rural market for marketing different products and services.

 Puri, who is the founder of Fateh Rural Private Limited and and Green Orange HR Private Limited, encouraged students to collaborate and find solutions to the critical problems faced by people in rural India.

Puri, the author of a book, Rural Market Unleashed, engaged the students and discussed the importance of infrastructural development, health facilities, agricultural processing, agricultural development and educational development and marketing opportunities available in lieu. He said that digital media and AI could go a long way in ensuring connectivity of the rural markets with the global world. Highlighting the shortage of skilled farmhands faced by farmer in Punjab during the sowing of rice paddy, Sarabjit Puri asked the students pursuing mechanical engineering and computer science programmes at DAV University to innovate a smart and efficient rice planter.

The resource person explained the basic mechanisms for starting a business, like identification of the target segment, level of problem solved, market competition, brand positioning, profitability, advertisement, and market support. Puri cited various examples in his presentation and motivated the students to start their own businesses. He stressed that this is the era of start-ups, and age is no barrier.

The interactive approach of Puri allowed members of the Institute Innovation Council, faculty members, and students for engagement and discussion.

Dr Manoj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of the University highlighted the importance of startups. Dr Manoj said that OYO – an Indian multinational hospitality chain of leased and franchised hotels, homes, and living spaces started by Ritesh Agarwal – was an example of successful startups. Ola Cabs, he said, was another enviable entrepreneurial initiative, Ola reshaped point-to-point travel within city outstation travel by making use of technology. It now ventured into an upcoming e-scooter market.

Dr Manoj Kumar said that DAV University could serve as a startup incubator for innovative ideas aimed at the rural masses and markets. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and urged students to start their own businesses.

Earlier, Dr Sandeep Vij, President, IIC highlighted Puri’s contribution in strengthening rural markets and generating employment opportunities for students.

Dr Lakhmir Singh, a member of Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) said that the importance of integrating technology with traditional methods could create multiple entrepreneurial opportunities in rural India. Puri’s motivational endeavour could be one of the catalysts of change.