In recent years, foundations, venture capitalists and the World Bank have used India as a petri dish for similar for-profit "social enterprises" that seek to make money while filling a social need.

Mr Akula would say that, especially as his for-profit firm, backed by venture capital from Silicon Valley, is expected to go public soon in a doubtless lucrative IPO.

Nokia and Siemens AG put their networks businesses into joint venture that began operations in April and has posted two quarters of operating-profit losses.