Microfinance

 Aid, Development, Social Causes  Comments Off on Microfinance
Dec 082011
 

Microfinance is an innovative type of charity allowing effective improvement in the lives of many needy people in some of the most destitute areas of the world.

One way to get involved in the concept is through The International Alliance for Women (TIAW). TIAW is an umbrella network of women’s organizations designed to support the economic interests of women around the world. Microlending is used to provide small loans to poor entrepreneurs – if appropriate for TIAW since most microloans are for women. They are denied access to sources of credit that men have access to.
With the loans, women are not only able to add new items to sell but be able to collectively buy in bulk from wholesale distributors, saving time and money.

A typical microlending arrangement is a village bank. Through this, a small group of women are given individual loans. They are then jointly responsible for repayment. The repayment rate has been 95%, making microfinance a successful form of development aid. Microfinance allows the funds to go directly to the hands of needy entrepreneurs rather than bureaucrats, increasing its effectiveness and power.

Source: The Denver Post

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Earth Day and India

 Ayurveda, Cultural integration, Development  Comments Off on Earth Day and India
Apr 222010
 

Rajasthani mustard field

A mustard field in Rajasthan

Today is Earth Day. In India, one can argue that every day is Earth Day for many people. Caring for the Earth has been an integral part of the South Asian culture. Take Ayurveda as an example. One can not separate nature from the practice; it is an integral part. I have seen examples of environmentally-conscious practices in India that are probably taken for granted. An example is seeing a housewife in Jaipur use a solar cooker on her flat roof-top to take advantage of the sun to cook mangoes in order to make mango pickle.

Of course, there are exceptions to caring for the Earth in modern-day India as resources are continually being sacrificed to support a growing population and demand as the country develops at an astounding rate. India is in the position to learn from the mistakes of developed countries regarding growing sustainably.

India can choose to integrate its green heritage to develop further in environmentally-conscious ways. Traditional sustainable practices can be balanced with current green technologies. Developed and undeveloped countries can learn from one another in this regard.

In appreciation of Earth Day, it would be great for Indians and other nationals to reflect on their heritage and its focus on nature and the planet. This heritage can remind us to live greener and to teach one another ways from our heritage we can do that more.

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