Unsung heroes transforming Nagpur through social enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

In the heart of Vidarbha, while many are chasing profit margins, there exists a quieter, more profound revolution. It is led by social entrepreneurs who have discovered that the best business model is one that solves a local problem while generating livelihoods for those who need it the most. Meet Rajesh Wagh, who has dedicated last 25 years to road safety awareness and assisting accident victims at Nagpur’s most critical junctures. What began as a personal mission has evolved into a structured operation through his Roadmarc Foundation, receiving over Rs 48 lakh in grants from Government and crowdsourcing initiatives. Every life saved, every victim assisted - these have become the metrics of his success, far beyond any balance sheet.

 

One of his most groundbreaking achievements is the establishment of the first Road Accident Disaster Management Centre in the country. Seeing his unwavering commitment to the cause of Road Safety, Wagh has been invited to be advisory council member at the prestigious National Road Safety Council, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India. Another such youth is Kushal Ramrao Dhak, who saw the forgotten children of Nagpur’s slums and decided to become their voice. Established in 2018, his Seva Sarvada NGO has educated over 1,000 slum children, including 200 tribal girls who had no access to mainstream education.

 

Running on an annual budget of Rs 6-7 lakh (contributed by his friends and well-wishers only) with consistent year-on-year growth, he has not just created classrooms and stitching centres, but also paved a path of dignity for these kids. Recently, he went a step further- establishing the first ever Tribal Girls’ Cricket team in India, which is now recognised by Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA), giving a platform to these girls that few dared to imagine from them, leave aside their own parents. What makes these entrepreneurs truly “unsung” is their clear focus on impact over income. Enterprises like these are not necessarily fighting to maximise their profit margins, they are more focused on leaving a positive human impact. These social entrepreneurs have chosen to solve their neighbourhood’s pressing challenges- road safety, child illiteracy, tribal-slum development while simultaneously generating livelihood and dignity for hundreds of families. Another striking aspect of their work is replicating.

 

Wagh’s disaster management model, enhanced with AI-enabled first-aid systems, can be scaled across India. Dhak’s approach to educate tribal girls’ while sharpening their sports’ skills offers a great template for other parts of Maharashtra, where there are tribal and other marginalised populations living in abject poverty and hopelessness. This is entrepreneurship in its noble avatar instilling hope and dignity. The journey continues, and the impact multiplies. Nagpur is quietly becoming a hub for thriving social entrepreneurship.