A Small Man’s Big Voice: Prabhat Kumar’s Vision for MSME Empowerment

By Eram Shaikh --
Thursday, 03 Jul, 2025

On June 27, 2025, the National MSME Impact Awards, hosted by the India SME Forum in New Delhi, celebrated transformative contributions to India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) during the International MSME Day Conclave. The event honoured state governments, financial institutions, and service providers for fostering export growth and socio-economic development. As Chairman of the Jury, Shri Prabhat Kumar, IAS (Retd.), leveraged his 50 years of governance experience to deliver a powerful vision for the MSME sector, drawing from his unique perspective as a neutral observer with no affiliations to politics, activism, or enterprises.

His role as Jury Chairman underscored his commitment to recognising excellence, informed by his extensive career, including his leadership of a One-Man Committee on MSMEs in 2016, appointed by then-Minister, Shri. Kalraj Mishra. “I am not a politician, and I’m no longer a civil servant, I’m not even an activist, and I have no interest in any Enterprise, big or small,” he stated, emphasising his impartiality. This neutrality strengthens his credibility, as he declared, “I speak from facts and a lifetime of profession of governance,” grounding his insights in decades of experience across state and central governments.

His core message is a clarion call to elevate MSMEs in national priorities. “I believe from having seen MSMEs for about 50 years, both in States as well as in the centre, that MSMEs should be at the top of the agenda of the Prime Minister for growth, reconstruction, and poverty alleviation,” he asserted. This perspective transcends mere economics, focusing on MSMEs as engines of “overall socio-economic development.” MSMEs employ millions and drive innovation in urban and rural areas, yet they are often marginalised in policy frameworks, overshadowed by larger enterprises. His critique cuts deep: “Our attitude towards MSMEs is one of patronising and not of empathy, not of sensitiveness, not of responsiveness.” His words expose a systemic gap, urging policymakers to adopt empathetic, responsive approaches that recognise MSMEs’ critical role in India’s progress.

His vision is integrative, calling for MSMEs to be woven into all sectors of development. “MSMEs should be at the centre and focal point of all planning and all sectors like urban governance, like education, like infrastructure, and even agriculture should factor in the linkage between MSMEs,” he proposed. This holistic approach reimagines MSMEs as interconnected with India’s broader development goals. For instance, linking MSMEs to infrastructure projects could localise supply chains, boosting regional economies. Integrating them into education systems could align skill development with industry needs, fostering innovation. Even agriculture, often seen as distinct, could benefit from MSME-driven processing and market linkages, enhancing rural prosperity.

Shri Prabhat Kumar acknowledged the current government’s efforts, noting, “I am appreciative of the work which has been done by the present Govt., the policies and schemes that have been floated by them.” However, he stressed that these efforts fall short without a fundamental shift in mindset. His role as jury chairman amplified his ability to influence this narrative, as he evaluated award recipients who exemplify innovative support for MSMEs. The India SME Forum’s platform, through events like the 2025 Awards, aligns with his vision, providing a space to celebrate excellence and advocate for systemic change.

The metaphor “a small man should have a big voice” encapsulates Shri Prabhat Kumar’s call for empowerment, resonating with small entrepreneurs who navigate bureaucratic hurdles and resource constraints while sustaining livelihoods. “In that direction, India SME Forum is a step in the right direction,” he concluded, endorsing the Forum’s role in amplifying MSME voices. His message validates their struggles and inspires action, urging entrepreneurs to demand recognition, policymakers to prioritise MSMEs, and ecosystem enablers to build robust support systems. By placing MSMEs at the heart of national planning, India can unlock a future of resilience, inclusivity, and shared prosperity, ensuring the small man’s voice drives a vibrant and equitable economy.

A Small Man’s Big Voice: Prabhat Kumar’s Vision for MSME Empowerment. On June 27, 2025, the National MSME Impact Awards, hosted by the India SME Forum in New Delhi, celebrated transformative contributions to India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) during the International MSME Day Conclave. The event honoured state governments, financial institutions, and service providers for fostering export growth and socio-economic development. As Chairman of the Jury, Shri Prabhat Kumar, IAS (Retd.), leveraged his 50 years of governance experience to deliver a powerful vision for the MSME sector, drawing from his unique perspective as a neutral observer with no affiliations to politics, activism, or enterprises.

His role as Jury Chairman underscored his commitment to recognising excellence, informed by his extensive career, including his leadership of a One-Man Committee on MSMEs in 2016, appointed by then-Minister, Shri. Kalraj Mishra. “I am not a politician, and I’m no longer a civil servant, I’m not even an activist, and I have no interest in any Enterprise, big or small,” he stated, emphasising his impartiality. This neutrality strengthens his credibility, as he declared, “I speak from facts and a lifetime of profession of governance,” grounding his insights in decades of experience across state and central governments.

His core message is a clarion call to elevate MSMEs in national priorities. “I believe from having seen MSMEs for about 50 years, both in States as well as in the centre, that MSMEs should be at the top of the agenda of the Prime Minister for growth, reconstruction, and poverty alleviation,” he asserted. This perspective transcends mere economics, focusing on MSMEs as engines of “overall socio-economic development.” MSMEs employ millions and drive innovation in urban and rural areas, yet they are often marginalised in policy frameworks, overshadowed by larger enterprises. His critique cuts deep: “Our attitude towards MSMEs is one of patronising and not of empathy, not of sensitiveness, not of responsiveness.” His words expose a systemic gap, urging policymakers to adopt empathetic, responsive approaches that recognise MSMEs’ critical role in India’s progress.

His vision is integrative, calling for MSMEs to be woven into all sectors of development. “MSMEs should be at the centre and focal point of all planning and all sectors like urban governance, like education, like infrastructure, and even agriculture should factor in the linkage between MSMEs,” he proposed. This holistic approach reimagines MSMEs as interconnected with India’s broader development goals. For instance, linking MSMEs to infrastructure projects could localise supply chains, boosting regional economies. Integrating them into education systems could align skill development with industry needs, fostering innovation. Even agriculture, often seen as distinct, could benefit from MSME-driven processing and market linkages, enhancing rural prosperity.

Shri Prabhat Kumar acknowledged the current government’s efforts, noting, “I am appreciative of the work which has been done by the present Govt., the policies and schemes that have been floated by them.” However, he stressed that these efforts fall short without a fundamental shift in mindset. His role as jury chairman amplified his ability to influence this narrative, as he evaluated award recipients who exemplify innovative support for MSMEs. The India SME Forum’s platform, through events like the 2025 Awards, aligns with his vision, providing a space to celebrate excellence and advocate for systemic change.

The metaphor “a small man should have a big voice” encapsulates Shri Prabhat Kumar’s call for empowerment, resonating with small entrepreneurs who navigate bureaucratic hurdles and resource constraints while sustaining livelihoods. “In that direction, India SME Forum is a step in the right direction,” he concluded, endorsing the Forum’s role in amplifying MSME voices. His message validates their struggles and inspires action, urging entrepreneurs to demand recognition, policymakers to prioritise MSMEs, and ecosystem enablers to build robust support systems. By placing MSMEs at the heart of national planning, India can unlock a future of resilience, inclusivity, and shared prosperity, ensuring the small man’s voice drives a vibrant and equitable economy.