The Bharat Project, a YourStory initiative; The joy of living with less

The Bharat Project is a YourStory initiative that aims to empower entrepreneurs from Tier II and III cities and rural India. Frugal living does not translate to owning nothing or depriving oneself. It is about choosing when, where, and how to spend one’s money.

Apr 20, 2025 - 04:07

The Bharat Project, a YourStory initiative; The joy of living with less

Hello,

Start bold. Start now. Start anywhere. But start.

That’s the idea behind The Bharat Project—a YourStory initiative that aims to empower entrepreneurs from Tier II and III cities and rural India.

The project, launched by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, will bring together the government, ecosystem enablers, creators, and communities to unlock grassroots potential and democratise access to entrepreneurial tools, funding, and education. Entrepreneurs will get access to an AI-powered mobile-first platform for access to mentorship in both Hindi and English.

“Destiny is a whole round circle. So wherever possible, support Indian industry, support each other and other entrepreneurs,” the Minister said at the event.

YourStory’s initiative comes amidst rising entrepreneurial scope in Tier II and III towns and rural areas, where founders often struggle to get access to funding, mentorship, and technology.

This reflects in the decline in venture capital funding into Indian startups in the third week of April. Weekly capital inflow dropped to its second-lowest this year, with startups only raking in $62 million.

Elsewhere, the board of Eternal, foodtech major Zomato’s parent entity, has approved the cap of up to 49.5% on total foreign ownership in the company. The move comes days after Piyush Goyal said he wished more Indian investors, rather than foreign players, were buying stakes in Indian startups.

About time we become vocal for local!

In today’s newsletter, we will talk about

The joy of living with less
Is Puducherry the next Goa?
Food meets cycling

Here’s your trivia for today: What is the oldest playable board game in the world?

In-depth

The joy of living with less

India’s private consumption doubled to $2.1 trillion in 2024. However, there is a tiny but growing tribe of millennials and GenZ consumers who are consciously choosing a frugal lifestyle for various reasons. While some are motivated by economic reasons, some are driven by practicalities and the desire for a life of quality.

“This (frugal living) not only helps me manage my finances but also brings peace of mind—having fewer things to maintain makes life simple,” says Sidhantha Jain, a marketer for labels and the co-founder of music marketing company M3.

Shifting priorities:

Frugal living does not translate to owning nothing or depriving oneself. It is about choosing when, where, and how to spend one’s money. It means prioritising needs over wants and spending on things that matter.
Jayita Chakraborty, a doctoral student and a part-time instructor at University of New Mexico, used to spend Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 on shopping every month. But she has been on a ‘no-buy’ mode this year.
Some people are also channelling their expenses towards ‘experiences’ that bring lasting happiness and memories, as opposed to fleeting moments of joy that retail therapy gives. Experiences could range from travel, sports, and spending time with family to learning a skill or picking up a hobby.

Travel and Leisure

Is Puducherry the next Goa?

Puducherry continues to retain the colonial flavour as a consequence of its French, Dutch, and British influences. However, the cosmopolitan town has turned into yet another ‘Instagrammable’ destination, where tourists throng to be “seen”.

Sights galore:

Prasad N—a 53-year-old teacher who settled in the French town two decades ago—is troubled by the increasing population of tourists who have “no interest in architecture or history.” However, this doesn’t mean Puducherry’s sights are not worth exploring.
An experience that must not be missed is the SVARAM Musical Instruments and Research Centre in Auroville. The Sound Park within this complex has sound installations that promote healing of the mind, body, and soul.
The Cluny Embroidery Centre—housed in a colonial bungalow dating to 1774 on Rue Romain Rolland Street—is an oft-neglected sight where underprivileged women, including widows and survivors of domestic violence, embroider napkin sets, tablecloths, etc.

Wine and Food

Food meets cycling

For hobby cyclist Ashish Thadani, the prospect of running a café that appeals to the cycling community felt “right” when TI Cycles approached him to become a partner in Ciclo Café, over a decade ago.

As an “impulsive decision-maker”, he jumped on to the project instinctively. Ciclo recently turned 10, growing from one outlet in Chennai to four in the city, and a new café and a B&B outpost in Puducherry.

Kicking into gear:

“The idea was rooted in how cycling has been an integral part of our lives at some point, especially childhood. However, one doesn't pick it up in adulthood,” says Thadani. “Ciclo became a space steeped in nostalgia.”
Painted in shades of teal and white, Ciclo’s outlet in Puducherry has six rooms replete with modern amenities. However, the heritage property retains its original aesthetics and character.
As for the food, the menu largely comprises classics such as pastas, pizzas, burgers, meal bowls, and finger foods, among other comfort foods. It also serves trending dishes such as cookie croissants and butter chicken fries.

News & updates

Setback: The production launch of Tesla’s more affordable cars, including the stripped down version of the Model Y, has been reportedly delayed. The electric carmaker planned to roll out its lower-cost Model Y, known internally as E41, in the first half of the year.
Twice shy: Taiwan’s top financial regulator said it would extend temporary curbs on the short-selling of shares to help ensure stock market stability, and did not give an end date for when the restrictions might be lifted. The curbs were first imposed on April 6 after the United States imposed sweeping import tariffs, prompting global market turmoil.
AI takeover: Italian newspaper Il Foglio’s editor, Claudio Cerasa, called its AI experiment a success, announcing that AI will now contribute to the newspaper weekly. It will also be integrated into other areas like podcasts, newsletters, and workshops. The experiment produced 22 articles on topics such as news, culture, politics, and economics.

What is the oldest playable board game in the world?

Answer: The Royal Game of Ur. It dates back to around 2600-2400 BC.

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