New Delhi, August 14: India's leading e-commerce platform, Flipkart, on August 10, marked its commitment to the nation's artisans, weavers, and MSMEs by celebrating the achievements of its ‘Flipkart Samarth’ initiative. Launched in 2019, this initiative aims to uplift underserved communities across India, particularly focusing on women, rural entrepreneurs, differently-abled individuals, and traditional craftsmen.
On this significant occasion, Flipkart also introduced a coffee table book titled ‘Homegrown Heroes’. This compilation not only underscores the remarkable progress individuals have made across various domains but also illustrates the boundless potential of e-commerce in India. Shri Vinod Kumar, President of the India SME Forum, graced the event alongside many of Flipkart's dedicated sellers and artisans.
Since its inception, Flipkart Samarth has impacted over 1.5 million livelihoods nationwide, allowing these communities to harness the vast reach of e-commerce. Remarkably, the program has witnessed a 300% increase in its seller entities in the past year and has tripled business growth for participants. Collaborations with State and Central government entities have been instrumental in this achievement.
‘Homegrown Heroes - Inspiring stories of success and transformation through e-commerce’ is a treasure trove of success stories from India’s craftsmen, weavers, and MSME owners. These heartening tales highlight the journey from humble beginnings to significant online commerce milestones, all thanks to Flipkart Samarth.
Shri Narayan Rane, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of India, applauded the initiative, stating, “The Flipkart Samarth program perfectly aligns with the government's vision to empower and uplift MSMEs in India. The stories captured in Flipkart's coffee table book showcase the resilience, innovation, and determination of our homegrown entrepreneurs.”He also praised Flipkart’s dedication to nurturing entrepreneurship, believing that the Samarth program plays a pivotal role in India’s socio-economic upliftment.
Shri. Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of the Flipkart group, commented on the book's launch, emphasizing Flipkart's role in helping millions of entrepreneurs from 28 states to gain a pan-India market presence. He further remarked on the essence of ‘Homegrown Heroes’, saying it encapsulates “75 real-life stories about the freedom of the human spirit, the joy of earning a livelihood, and true independence.”
As India ambitiously strides towards a 20 trillion-dollar economy by 2047, Flipkart continues its steadfast support for small businesses. By leveraging technology, the e-commerce giant is making online selling more accessible, enhancing supply chains, and working alongside the government to fuel the nation's economic growth.
The Flipkart Group is one of India’s leading digital commerce entities and includes group companies Flipkart, Myntra, Flipkart Wholesale, Flipkart Health+, and Cleartrip.
