Centre for Development of Regional Economies

We are a think tank , working towards identifying the Economic Strengths of every corner of India and trying to stimulate the same for equality in growth.

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

The Original Retail Innovator of India

Today, while travelling through the narrow roads of a village in Punjab, I came across this gentleman on a bicycle and instinctively capture the moment from my moving car.
Looking at the picture later, I realised it wasn’t just a photograph of a man carrying goods it was a photograph of an institution that has quietly powered rural India for generations “The travelling entrepreneur”.

Long before business schools coined phrases like “maximize sales per square foot,” before e-commerce promised to deliver everything to our doorsteps, and before retail chains optimized inventory using sophisticated algorithms, there was already a master of efficiency riding through the villages of India.

He arrived on a bicycle.

Loaded with buckets, plastic containers, utensils, toys, candies, ropes, household essentials, and countless other items, he carried what seemed like an entire marketplace balanced on two wheels. Every inch of that bicycle had a purpose. Every kilogram represented an opportunity.

Looking at this picture, one cannot help but wonder whether the philosophy of maximizing sales per square foot was, in spirit, born here on an old bicycle carrying an entire retail ecosystem through dusty village roads.

As a child growing up in a small town, I vividly remember these men arriving in our neighbourhood. Their bicycle wasn’t merely a mode of transport; it was their showroom, warehouse, logistics network, and marketing platform all rolled into one.

They sold almost everything a household could need from candies that delighted children to buckets, utensils, plastic goods, toys, ropes, and countless daily essentials. But their entrepreneurship didn’t end there. Many also bought old clothes, scrap metal, worn out utensils, bottles, and other used household items, creating an informal circular economy long before sustainability became a global buzzword.

They travelled from one village to another, often cycling dozens of kilometres every day, relying not on technology or formal market research but on trust, relationships, and an intimate understanding of the needs of rural families.

These entrepreneurs had no venture capital.

No digital payments.

No supply-chain software.

No branding consultants.

No warehouses.

No advertisements.

Yet they built sustainable micro businesses through sheer determination, innovation, and relentless hard work.

Their greatest asset was never the bicycle.

It was their resilience.

Scarcity did not discourage them; it sharpened their creativity. Limited resources forced them to think differently, pack smarter, travel farther, and serve customers better. Every available inch of space became productive retail space. Every village became a market.

In many ways, these travelling vendors embody the true spirit of Indian entrepreneurship a spirit that refuses to wait for ideal conditions before taking the first step.

Today’s startup founders speak of disruption, last mile delivery, customer acquisition, inventory optimization, and the circular economy. Rural India quietly practised these principles decades ago, without PowerPoint presentations, business jargon, or investor pitches.

Innovation is not always born in air-conditioned boardrooms.

Sometimes, it rides through a village on a heavily loaded bicycle.

As India celebrates its startups, unicorns, and technological achievements, perhaps we should also celebrate these unsung entrepreneurs. They remind us that business is ultimately not about abundant resources it is about resourcefulness, resilience, and the courage to keep moving.

Their story leaves us with a timeless lesson:

#Entrepreneurship is not defined by what you have. It is defined by what you do with what you have.

For generations, India has been producing entrepreneurs like this not in incubators, but on its village roads. Perhaps it is time we acknowledged that some of our greatest business lessons have always been hiding in plain sight.

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

इस बार चक्रव्यूह न रच पाओगे,
अभिमन्यु को घेर न छल पाओगे।

गतिमान है, अग्रणीय है, भारत अब हमारा,
अवरोधक बनोगे तो स्वयं जल जाओगे।

निष्काम, निस्वार्थ नेतृत्व मिला है सौभाग्य से,
जन-जन का विश्वास जुड़ा है उसके त्याग से।
सेवा ही जिसका धर्म है, राष्ट्र ही जिसका मान,
ऐसे संकल्पों से सशक्त हुआ है हिंदुस्तान।

न नीति डिगेगी, न नीयत झुकेगी,
हर चुनौती से भारत की शक्ति निखरेगी।
यह अमृतकाल का नव-उद्घोष है,
विश्वपटल पर भारत का उत्कर्ष है।

जो राष्ट्रहित के पथ में दीवार बन जाओगे,
समय की धारा में स्वयं बिखर जाओगे।
इस बार चक्रव्यूह न रच पाओगे,
अभिमन्यु को घेर न छल पाओगे।

#India

@narendramodi @PMOIndia @BJP4India @NitinNabin

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

As part of the #KnowBJP outreach, a high-level delegation from Russia’s United Russia Party led by H.E. Vladimir Yakushev met BJP National President Sh. Nitin Nabin ji this week.

Sh. Nitin Nabin ji highlighted the strong, time-tested India–Russia partnership and the role of the Modi–Putin relationship in strengthening ties.
He also shared BJP’s vision, organisational strength, and focus on women’s participation, youth empowerment, and continuous cadre development.

He proposed reciprocal exchanges to deepen party-to-party engagement and share best practices.
Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale ji, incharge of foreign affairs department and our general secretary Sh. Arun singh ji also joined our party president for the meeting.
@NitinNabin @narendramodi @DrSJaishankar @vijai63 @ArunSinghbjp @BJP4India @KremlinRussia_E @RusEmbIndia

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

It was great pleasure meeting a very dear friend and Ambassador of India to Sri Lanka Ambassador @santjha ji in #Colombo
It’s always intellectually enriched experience spending time with friends like him.

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

It was a privilege to participate in CapTech2026 in Mumbai last week.

Encouraging to see strong interest from investors across the world who are keen to understand the India story and be part of its growth journey.

There is a growing sense of optimism and a shared commitment to leverage collective strengths for mutual growth.

Capital and technology are critical enablers of security and growth, but what truly makes the difference is intent, trust, and the strength of the ecosystem that brings stakeholders together.

#IndiaGrowth #CapTech2026 #Investment #Innovation #GlobalPartnerships

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

$50 bn trade target: #India #Canada move closer to trade deal during Carney's visit; finalise agreements on critical minerals & more. ⁦@narendramodi⁩ ⁦@PMOIndia⁩ https://t.co/C1sTFUW1pM

[Invest India @investindia]

As demand rises & policy support deepens, #NewIndia’s #foodprocessing sector emerges as a key pillar of the global food value chain.

#Invest in the growing opportunity with us: https://t.co/ioHPXIz2Ac

#InvestInIndia @DPIITGoI @DoC_GoI @MOFPI_GOI @AgriGoI @fooddeptgoi @APEDADOC

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

I normally don’t comment on statements made by Congress leaders, but today I feel compelled to respond.
Mr. @RajaBrar_INC, history shows how your party has often been disrespectful towards the #Sikh community but insulting the #Turban crosses all limits.

@NayabSainiBJP ji wears a turban out of faith and conviction. He presented the #Haryana state budget wearing it and continues to wear it with pride across Haryana.
Unlike you, who seem to have adopted it for political convenience, he represents genuine respect for tradition.
You should understand the significance of the turban and learn to respect it.

[Centre for Development of Regional Economies @CEconomies]

Seeing PM @narendramodi champion this for next-gen sectors like AI & Semiconductors is a major milestone. By decentralizing industry and tech, we ensure every region becomes an engine of innovation.
The "MANAV" vision for inclusive AI is the silver lining we’ve been working twrds

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

Meeting Sh. J.P.Nadda ji is always a pleasure and a valuable experience, as he consistently shows a warm and caring approach, takes out time to meet and inquires about the well-being of everyone, even while multitasking and managing the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers. @OfficeofJPNadda @JPNadda @MoHFW_INDIA @fertmin_india

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

BJP Punjab & Foreign affairs department of BJP under the guidance of Vijay ji & working state president Sh. Ashwani Sharma ji has successfully conducted first ever Punjabi Diaspora Meet where 300 participants from 11 countries attended the event.
Discussions and interactive sessions have been held to take #Punjab in new positive & positive direction. @BJP4Punjab @BJP4India @narendramodi @PMOIndia @AmitShah @NitinNabin @DrSJaishankar @vijai63 @tarunchughbjp

[PIB Textiles @PIBTextiles]

TEXTILE AND APPAREL MANUFACTURING UNITS
Read more: https://t.co/qjaVAvqSU1
@PmargheritaBJP @TexMinIndia @PIB_India

[Invest India @investindia]

This #WorldPulsesDay, let’s celebrate pulses—a nutritional powerhouse essential for India’s food security and agricultural growth.

Explore more: https://t.co/FpARLLBMuJ

#InvestInIndia #PulsesProduction @MOFPI_GOI

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

It is always a privilege and matter of being fortunate to be in the same frame with Hon. PM ⁦@narendramodi⁩ ji.
This moment in #Kulalumpur gave me goosebumps when Modi ji showed care affection & respect to our own Vijay ji ⁦⁦@vijai63⁩

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

#India #Malaysia decided to use local currencies as far as possible in bilateral trade and investment. India's SBI and Bank Negara Malaysia have worked on establishing trade in Indian rupees and Malaysian ringgit," Malaysia's PM @anwaribrahim @narendramodi @PMOIndia @PiyushGoyal @TheOfficialSBI @nsitharaman @BNM_official

[Centre for Development of Regional Economies @CEconomies]

The Centre for Development of Regional Economies advocates for Free Trade Agreements as a critical instrument for driving competitiveness, investment, and prosperity in India’s rural and regional economies. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @PiyushGoyal @nsitharaman #IndiaUSTradeDeal

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

A landmark day for #India #US ties!
With tariffs down to 18%, India–US trade is set for remarkable growth, more investment and shared prosperity. Congratulations @narendramodi ji and President @realDonaldTrump for this visionary deal strengthening our friendship and future. यह ऐतिहासिक समझौता दोनों देशों के लोगों के लिए नए अवसर लेकर आएगा। @POTUS @PMOIndia #IndiaUSTradeDeal @PiyushGoyal @USAmbIndia

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

We are living in most shining spot on n Mother Earth. #India

We have arrived and just scratched the surface.

#India now has the lowest Trump tariffs in the Indian Subcontinent. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @PiyushGoyal @nsitharamanoffc @NitinNabin

[Ashwin johar @joharashwin]

Ludhiana’s 30-year wait ends, PM Modi to virtually inaugurate Halwara airport today https://t.co/JcIZy0QgzG #Punjab #Ludhiana #Airport @narendramodi @PMOIndia

[Centre for Development of Regional Economies @CEconomies]

#BharatVistaar for AI revolution @nsitharaman @narendramodi