Day 8 of Mentor on Road, USA

"God is to be worshiped as the one beloved, dearer than everything in this and next life."

-Swami Vivekananda

Our #mentoronroadusa day 8 started with early morning errands. First event was at the Maryland Women Business Centre. The Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) was established to help Montgomery County’s diverse population of women, to start and grow enterprises positioned for long-term growth in the community. Through training, individual counselling, facilitated peer group support, specialized resources, and access to capital, they help more than 1,500 women per year gain the skills, connections, and confidence needed to successfully navigate entrepreneurship. The Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) helps start, sustain, and grow women-owned enterprises.

MWBC is supported by several donors including SBA and they are doing a wonderful work on entrepreneurship. I further interacted with many women owned businesses and recognized their challenges. I would be connecting them to women owned businesses in India.

 Meeting held at Maryland Women’s Business Center, Maryland

Second event was organised at the World Bank, I presented 10 of my economic development projects along with innovative approaches adopted for poverty elimination and SMBs competitiveness. The World Bank as an international financial institution, provides loans across the world for capital programs. It comprises two institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and the International Development Association (IDA). The World Bank is a component of the World Bank Group. The World Bank's stated official goal is the reduction of poverty globally.

Meeting held at The World Bank, Washington DC

There were several questions raised on sustainable development, gender mainstreaming, smart villages, local government involvement and how to sustain green economy. The discussion was webcasted live and when I shared the details of Mentor on Road, Africa, tour planned in April 2018, many participants from Africa were requesting me to visit their respective countries in Africa. I will surely add it up in my Africa program.

Third event was at DC Chamber of Commerce organised with co-operation of Export DC. The DC Chamber is the largest and top rated Chamber in the Washington region. The DC Chamber of Commerce is the voice for all businesses in the city – small, medium and large. Export DC offers small DC-based businesses a range of value-added benefits to enhance their overseas marketing efforts. Export DC work closely with businesses that are new to exporting, as well as seasoned exporters looking for assistance in accessing new markets. Export DC is a part of Department of Small and Local Business Development of DC government.

An aggregate of 50 top-notch American companies participated. I presented opportunities in New India 3.0. Questions were raised on sectoral opportunities, governance aspects, finance and transparency issues.  I was glad to have been able to answer all of them. Etihad’s contest of 2 complimentary air tickets to participants was announced. We would be working closely with DC Chamber and US Department of Commerce to connect American companies to India.

The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. The mission of the department is to "promote job creation and improved living standards for all Americans by creating an infrastructure that promotes economic growth, technological competitiveness, and sustainable development." The Department of Commerce is headquartered at the Herbert C. Hoover Building in Washington, D.C.

Meeting held at DC Chamber

After an eventful day, we went to Subway to quickly grab vegetarian salads. Then we finally headed to our hotel, Quality Inn College Park, to take some rest on our comfortable beds.

On the way Mentor on Road, USA's car strolled into Capitol Hill where we enjoyed taking pictures against the Whitehouse, an artifact of history and a strong symbol of American democracy and governance.

Glimpses of Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill, in addition to being a symbol for the United States Congress, is the largest historic residential neighbourhood in Washington, D.C., stretching in front of the United States Capitol alongside wide avenues. It is one of the oldest residential neighbourhoods in Washington, D.C., and with roughly 35,000 people in just under 2 square miles (5 km2), it is also one of the most densely populated.

Tomorrow we have a journey of 7 hours to Charlotte, where I am looking forward to meeting companies. Also, on our way from DC to Charlotte, we would be visiting a few caves and some tourist spots.

Jai Ho! (Let victory be yours)