Roundtable on Livelihoods and Financial inclusion of Rickshaw Pullers

1. Roundtable on Livelihoods and Financial inclusion of Rickshaw Pullers Organised by United Nations Development Programme 19th November 2013 Venue National Institute of Urban Affairs India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi -110003 By Dr. Pradip Kumar Sarmah, (Ashoka Lemelson Fellow) Founder Rickshaw Bank & Executive Director, Centre for Rural Development.

3. PEOPLES’ MINDSET: the Road is for you. You get “first priority” to do whatever you like. you are “At your Own Risk”. If possible, install eyes at the back of your head. you are “illegal” and there is no space for you on the road. Be thankful we are not throwing you out. “Stay at home”! Cars Cyclist & Pedestrian Rickshaws Physically challenged

4. Mediums of Sustainable Mobility • Requisite mode of transport in all cities • Convenient for short term distances • Essential mode of mobility within one’s vicinity • Provides Accessibility at Low cost • Energy efficient and Eco-friendly source • Promotes Social Employability • Access to livelihood for unskilled and semi-skilled workers

6. What is Rickshaw ? Modified Tricycles Self utilized by People Run by a Rickshaw Puller Widely used in Urban and Semi Urban Areas 20 Mil.

7. Improving informal transport: Challenges and solutions Rickshaw Bank

8. Social recognition Identity Licensing (single/hire) Seized/disposed Traffic Social/ Admini-strative Financial Technical Migrant Finance Insurance Social security Rickshaw design Separate lane Training Parking space Rickshaw Bank

9. Old vs. Rickshaw Bank • Changes to rickshaws (shown on left): • Aero-dynamically designed, thus lighter • More spacious • More attractive to clients • Comfortable for all age groups • Longer life • Rickshaw designed by IIT, Guwahati Rickshaw Bank

10. Improvement of Rickshaw Pullers Our Solution: A newly designed rickshaw payable through a minimal daily installment. Micro Asset Loans for Ownership of the rickshaw, Insurance, uniform, licenses, a photo ID Training, health care, cooking gas etc. Rickshaw Bank

11. An Asset: A Rickshaw • Income • Potential savings • Access to financial institutions Provide for families: • Insurance • Licenses • Photo IDs • Children’s schooling • Clothing • Cooking gas • Eye/ Healthcare • Family planning • Uniform • Training • Maintenance • Peer learning meetings One Window Solution Provide for Drivers: Rickshaw Bank

12. Operating model RP (Rickshaw Puller) Creation of New Entrepreneurs RP 1 RP 2 RP 3 RP 4 RP 5 RP GROUP Collection/Meetings/Repair

13. Different types of rickshaws Rickshaw Bank

14. Other Carts With the same financing norms the other carts are provided to the people which give an assets to own for employment generation. Rickshaw Bank

15. Glimpses of workshop at Guwahati Rickshaw Bank

16. Government of Assam is providing a 25% subsidy to rickshaw drivers.

17. Expansion with the partnership Punjab National Bank(PNB) has taken up the initiative with their own scheme for the Rickshaw Finance. We initiated the programme and than hand it over to the local organisation. Rickshaw Bank

18. Collaborations • ONGC • IOC • HLL • AIF • DST, GOI. • Government of Assam • Punjab National Bank/Union Bank • UN Solution Exchange • Ashoka • AIESEC • Indian Red Cross • Sandeep Enterprises • AFNA • IIT, Guwahati • MIT, Boston • Olin College of Engineering • Northeastern University • Yale University • Guwahati Medical College Rickshaw Bank

19. New light with Solar power A complete package of three lights (one each at front, rear and inside the rickshaw), one FM radio and a mobile charger makes our rickshaw as a High-tech rickshaw that attracts more people in general. These new high-tech carts have been able to attract the youth groups more for doing some business on their own and these carts have become a benefit for the growth of the entrepreneurship in an area that enhances the local economy in turn. Rickshaw Bank

20. Rickshaw bank is entered in the Case bank of the www.vikalpa.com Rickshaw Bank

21. Recognition and Awards • The Rickshaw Bank won The Citizen Base Investment Award 2003 for its concept at National Stock Exchange Building, Mumbai in November, 2003. • IIM, Bangalore selected Rickshaw Bank project under their Microfinance Incubation Programme, during November – December, 2005. • The Change makers Innovation Award Competition: Market-Based Strategies that Benefit Low-Income Communities at National Press Club, Washington on April 5, 2006. • The Micro Finance Process Excellency Award, 2006 at New Delhi on April 7, 2006 given by the Planet Finance and the ABN Amro Bank. • The Rickshaw Bank has got its recognition in the Limca Book of Records as First Rickshaw Bank under the business section in 2006. Rickshaw Bank

22. Recognition and Awards • Srijan 2007 Microfinance Business Plan Competition 3rd Prize at Hyderabad on April 25, 2007. • One of the finalist of the Micro Insurance Awards, 2007 at Hyderabad on July 27, 2007 • Asian Innovation Awards, 2007 at Singapore on 13th November, 2007. • The Assam Chief Minister’s Best Community Action Development Award, 2008 on August 15, 2008 • India NGO Award, 2008 for the medium category from the Eastern Region. • Rickshaw bank also awarded as Best Innovative Project of the year, 2008. • Rickshaw Bank received the Tech Laureate award 2011 at San Jose, USA given by the Applied Materials & Tech Museum. Rickshaw Bank

23. The Founder, Rickshaw’s Bank and Executive Director, Centre for Rural Development, Dr. Pradip Kumar Sarmah, calling on the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on August 14,2012 Rickshaw Bank

24. LOOKING FORWARD:

25. Thank you Dr. Pradip Kumar Sarmah (Ashoka Lemelson Fellow) Founder Rickshaw Bank & Executive Director Centre for Rural Development (CRD) Email: crd4ev@yahoo.com,  Mobile: + 91 9818863727 Website: www.crdev.org Rickshaw Bank