Milind Pralhad Kamble (born 17 February 1967) is an Indian civil engineer, entrepreneur and policy contributor best known for founding the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) in 2005.Business Standard, "Breaking through" (2013) He serves as chairperson of the board of governors at the Indian Institute of Management Jammu, becoming the first person from a Scheduled Caste community to hold the position.Times of India, "In Milind Kamble, IIM Jammu gets first SC chairperson of board of governors" (7 May 2019) Kamble has been associated with initiatives relating to entrepreneurship, affirmative action, and representation of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs in national economic frameworks.
His contributions to trade and industry were recognised with the Padma Shri in 2013.Times of India, "Jaymala Shiledar, Suresh Talwalkar, Milind Kamble among Padma Shri awardees" (26 Jan 2013)
Early life and education Kamble was born on 17 February 1967 in Chobli, Latur district, Maharashtra.Edubilla biography He completed his schooling in Maharashtra and earned a diploma in civil engineering from the Nanded Government Polytechnic in 1987.Edubilla biography He subsequently worked in private construction firms for five years before establishing his own civil engineering business.
In 1992, he founded Milind Kamble Civil Engineers and Contractors, which executed civil projects including segments of the Konkan Railway, the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, the Baramati Water Supply Scheme and the Pune–Lavasa Road.Entrepreneur India interview The firm was later renamed Fortune Construction and expanded into an ISO-certified enterprise.Entrepreneur India interview
Career
Public service and policy roles In May 2019, Kamble was appointed chairperson of the board of governors of the Indian Institute of Management Jammu.Times of India, 7 May 2019 He previously served as a board member at IIM Kashipur. During his tenure at IIM Jammu, the institute upgraded infrastructure and recorded student placement milestones, eventually achieving two international accreditations and securing a ranking in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).DICCI Annual Report 2023–24
Kamble was a member of the National Curriculum Framework Steering Committee (2021) constituted by the Ministry of Education under the National Education Policy 2020.Times of India, "Education Ministry forms national steering committee" (2021)
He also co-chairs the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Task Force on Affirmative Action, contributing to industry-led initiatives for SC/ST entrepreneurship, education and employment.Business Standard, "Affirmative action plan progress slow"
Since 2016, Kamble has chaired the advisory committee of the Ministry of MSME’s National SC/ST Hub.MSME Mart – National SC/ST Hub advisory committee The scheme has supported over 145,000 SC/ST entrepreneurs and facilitated business execution valued at over ₹3,564 crore.MSME Mart
During India’s G20 Presidency (2023), Kamble served on the B20 India Steering Committee and the International Advocacy Caucus, contributing to discussions on inclusive growth and supplier diversity.B20 India Communiqué (2023)
Entrepreneurial career Kamble is Chairman of Superb MAA Housing & Infrastructure LLP and Superb MAA Developers LLP. The group has undertaken mass housing projects consisting of more than 6,800 residential units, with nearly 6 million sq. ft of built-up area and an additional 1 million sq. ft of commercial development, collectively valued at approximately USD 1.5 billion.DICCI Annual Report 2023–24 Two large housing projects are under construction in Panvel, Mumbai. He also serves as an Independent Director at Belrise Industries Ltd.Entrepreneur India interview
DICCI and related initiatives Kamble founded DICCI in 2005 to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste communities.Business Standard, "Breaking through" (2013) Under his leadership, the organisation expanded to more than 1,000 members across sectors including manufacturing, services and offshore engineering. It currently has 29 state chapters and seven international chapters.DICCI Annual Report 2023–24
DICCI has implemented trade fairs, capacity-building programmes and a venture capital initiative. In 2012, SEBI approved the DICCI SME Fund, designed to provide equity support and managerial inputs to emerging Dalit entrepreneurs.Economic Times, "Dalit entrepreneurs, Kamble wins Padma"
Socio-economic initiatives Kamble has advocated entrepreneurship as a means for social and economic mobility for historically marginalised communities.Social Innovation Seminar compendium, Pune International Centre (2013) Through DICCI, he promoted frameworks encouraging SC/ST entrepreneurs to become employers and contributors to economic development.
He has collaborated with the CII–DICCI Model Career Centres, which aim to provide employability training and placement support to SC/ST youth.Times of India, "CII–DICCI Model Career Centre launched"
Awards and recognitions Year Award / Honour Details 2010 Bhim Ratna Award Awarded by the Government of MaharashtraEdubilla biography 2011 Marathwada Udyog Bhushan Award; Maharashtra Times Nayak Award Recognised for contributions in entrepreneurshipEntrepreneur India interview 2013 Padma Shri (Trade & Industry) Awarded by the President of IndiaTimes of India, 26 Jan 2013 2015 Samaj Bhushan Awarded by the Government of MaharashtraEdubilla biography
Personal life Kamble resides in Pune.Entrepreneur India interview In 2001, he created one of the earliest comprehensive websites on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, containing archival materials including texts and photographs.Social Innovation Seminar compendium, PIC (2013) He is married and has children. Kamble frequently speaks at educational institutions on entrepreneurship and economic participation.Entrepreneur India interview
References
External links Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry National SC/ST Hub Portal