The humid air hung heavy, a constant reminder of the relentless monsoon season in Tripura. Nama Ram Reang, a young boy with eyes that mirrored the emerald hues of the surrounding hills, knew the rhythm of life in Amarpur Gomti intimately. His father, weathered and strong like the ancient trees of the forest, toiled endlessly on their meagre five acres, the rice paddies yielding a tiny harvest each year. Nama Ram's childhood under open skies was happy but punctuated by the hardships of a subsistence economy in the far-flung corner of the country. The arduous journey on foot for secondary education, the constant struggle against poverty, and the ever-present longing for something more ultimately led him to the Indian Army. Years of rigorous training, of pushing his limits, of enduring the harsh realities of military life, tempered his spirit. He served his country with unwavering focus, his uniform a symbol of honour and a source of pride for his family.

The training sessions were a revelation. He learned to identify opportunities, to analyze markets, to craft a business plan, and to navigate the complexities of finance. He saw the potential in the steady march of rubber trees that now dotted his familiar landscape, a green tide of hope and possibility.

But he watched farmers struggle year after year, as agents kept dictating unfair prices for the raw rubber. He envisioned a future where farmers, his neighbours, could receive a fair price for their hard-earned produce. Armed with market research and an unwavering determination, Nama Ram invested Rs.3.50 lakh and transformed a corner of his home into a fair rubber trading hub. He too planted rubber trees across 5 acres of his own land.

The initial pressures were immense – the meagre capital, the uncertainty of the market, and the desire to succeed. But Nama Ram, fuelled by a fierce determination and the unwavering support of his family, persevered. He created jobs for two workers, providing them stable monthly incomes of Rs. 15,000 each. Starting modestly with 50-60 liters daily, his business now flourishes at over 100 liters per day. He purchases raw rubber at Rs. 110-125 per kg and sells it for Rs. 150-160, creating value for everyone in the chain.

Yet success has brought its own challenges. Limited capital now constrains his ability to purchase more rubber. He has already submitted his bank loan application, carrying the hopes of local farmers with it. Soon, with fresh funding, he will be able to expand his reach, supporting even more farmers in their quest for fair prices and dignity.

Looking back, Nama Ram realizes that the Bajaj I Create program had not just taught him business skills; it had ignited a fire within him – a fire of ambition, of self-belief, of hope. He had found his purpose again, this time as an entrepreneur, and a beacon of hope for his community.