Micro-entrepreneurial Voices in Kalimpong Hills: An Inquiry Through Narrative

Abstract

Micro-entrepreneurship has historically played an important role in the country’s economic growth, environmental sustainability and employment generation. More specifically, it is vital in regions where large-scale industries are not viable due to geographical barriers, as it plays a significant driving force in promoting regional balance, reducing disparities between plains and hills, and preserving the traditional material culture of the diverse ethnic groups and tribes of different regions. Based on fieldwork conducted in different areas of the Kalimpong hills, this work will attempt to underscore the micro-entrepreneurs life experiences and perceptions towards the challenges concerning entrepreneurial practice through a narrative inquiry. It is an attempt to reconceptualise the significance of ‘micro entrepreneurs’ in the sub-Himalayan hills. The findings point out include: (a) structural constraints, (b) behavioural constraints and (c) political activities that contributed to distorting the entrepreneurial environment at the micro level in hills.