CII – Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) supported entrepreneur Avinash Dhume will be competing for the worldwide People’s Choice award of the Youth Business International (YBI). The Prince’s Trust is a leading member of YBI. Avinash is one of the four finalists amongst competitors from over 40 countries.  BYST entrepreneurs have been successfully receiving national and international awards for business excellence. These awards include JRD Tata Youth Entrepreneurship Awards, Youth Business International (YBI) Awards, Citi group Inc. (a pre-eminent financial services company of the Citi Bank), Rotary awards, Entrepreneurs’ International Award, Nehru Yuva Puraskar etc
 
All around the world, young entrepreneurs are creating jobs, building communities and making the world a better place to live. To support and develop to the young entrepreneurs, Youth Business International was founded in 2000 by The Prince of Wales, who continues to be YBI’s President.
 
The YBI Entrepreneur competition is a vital part of promoting entrepreneurship and generating awareness about how youth entrepreneurship can  tackle unemployment, create economic development and provide opportunity for young people in need.
 
YBI - The People’s Choice award will be given to an entrepreneur who has overcome significant obstacles to reach their goal of running a successful business, and will be voted for by the general public. The winner will travel to London to receive their award and be a guest at the entrepreneur of the Year awards ceremony.
 
This year CII – Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) Avinash Dhume, entrepreneur has made it through to the final of the Youth Business International People’s Choice award. The Youth Business International panel were very impressed by Avinash’s  business model, determination to succeed and the desire to support young people’s education.
 
Lakshmi V Venkatesan, Founding Trustee & EVP, BYST said that "Awards and accolades are always won by a few and an inspiration to many-winning this award to Avinash who opted to be an entrepreneur against all odds at a young age-is a success story to imbibe for the very many youth of our country".-your vote would be an inspiration for our Youth!!
 
A real entrepreneurial success story, The entrepreneur from India, Avinash Dhume set up his business Kaushalya Publications, a publishing company specializing in affordable, educational material with support from Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) is in the final of the Peoples Choice Award. The Youth Business International People’s Choice award is given to the entrepreneur who gets the most votes from the public around the world. With finalists competing from China, Argentina and Barbados, Avinash from India needs all the support we can give him.
 
Avinash develops content and publishes a wide range of economical books for schoolchildren.  He comes from a lower economical background. After gaining work experience for over 10 years with a very meager salary in a publication house, he along with two of his friends ventured in to setting up their own business.  Initially, the business went into a loss and with the able support and guidance of mentor, Mr Vijaysinh Maurya turned it into a profitable business within three years. Today they are proud of providing employment to 35 others both directly and indirectly and generating wealth of Rs 42 lac.
 
He has moved on from publishing scholarship books for Std IV to publishing 52 different kinds of books for academic purpose and is well positioned for further expansion.  He also involves himself in social activities and distributes books free of cost to poor people helping 200 such students last year.
 
With your vote Avinash will win a  Prize of US$1,000 and will travel to London to receive their award at the YBI awards final and most of all would be greatly encouraged and will be a youth icon for others to follow suit.
 
I request all of you to please vote for me. This award is very important for me.   I want to make India proud and I need your help in this!..... Avinash Dhume

Guidelines for Voting:-
The winner is the one who secures the most votes.  Voting is open on Monday afternoon and runs from the 9th to the16th of July.  For casting your vote click on the  http://awards.youthbusiness.org/peoples-choice-award/ and you can vote for Avinash.