The Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) elevated its south India president Narra Ravi Kumar, an entrepreneur from the city, as its National Working President.

His appointment was announced in a communication issued by DICCI Chairman Milind Kamble and the Governing Council, a release said.

Born to slum-dweller parents in Hyderabad – his father was a daily-wage mason and mother a daily-wage labourer – Mr. Ravi Kumar struggled to get education. He did his postgraduation in law and also acquired PG diploma in journalism as well as in public relations.

After his studies, he got into construction business. He is the managing director of several businesses—Apna Door Step Services Pvt Ltd, Smart Green Infra and Logistics Management India (P) Ltd and Aditya Communications.

As Working President, he will be second in command of the Pune-headquartered body of 8,500 Dalit entrepreneurs that has 26 State chapters and seven international chapters. “My challenges as National Working President of DICCI is to bring together all Dalit entrepreneurs under one umbrella and make the organisation a one-stop resource centre to promote entrepreneurship among Dalits as a solution to their socio-economic problems,” he said in the statement.

Mr. Ravi Kumar is the first Dalit entrepreneur to be awarded Padma Shri from south India, for his contribution to the growth of Indian industry. He played an active role in formulating a role model policy support for entrepreneurs in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, which is now being adopted by various States, the release said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – July 17th, 2018