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Synopsis Rural development in general is used to denote the actions and initiatives taken to improve the standard of living in Non-Urban neighbourhoods, countryside, and remote villages. These communities can be exemplified with a low ratio of inhabitants to open space. Agricultural activities may be prominent in this case whereas economic activities would relate to the primary sector, production of foodstuffs and raw materials. Rural Development actions mostly aim at the social and economic development of the areas. These programmes are usually top-down from the local or regional authorities, regional development agencies, NGOs, national governments or international development organizations. But then, local populations can also bring about endogenous initiatives for development. The term is not limited to the issues for developing countries. In fact many of the developed countries have very active rural development programmes. The only way out could be, to strengthen the existing rural systems and make them self-sufficient. This could happen only by helping Small and Medium Enterprises and the rural artisans (people with innate skills and talents) in becoming effective and competitive enough to face the future. A number of issues and business practices of global players and markets can be observed, learnt and adapted for ensuring competitiveness of Indian SMEs.