Let's Support the Vision of Professor Yunus
While the Nobel Prize was established in 1895, and the first Nobel Prize for Peace in 1901, even the Norwegian Nobel Committee would not have thought that by bestowing this prize on Professor Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank in 2006, they are about to impact the lives of millions of poor around the world. So much so has been the importance of this landmark event in terms of bringing centre stage "micro-credit" as an important tool for poverty reduction, that it led to manifold increase in appreciation of microfinance as a developmental tool in different countries across the world. Post 2006, the Indian microfinance slso did not remain un-influenced by the "Grameen story" and the model was replicated or adopted in different variants by many of the MFIs.
The man behind this, the genius, Professor Yunus continued to share his learning and experience of Grameen across the world. Inspired by, the great visionary that he is, many people in the development sector started working in the field of microfinance towards expanding the financial services to the poor, for better livelihoods, better income and quality of life. As a result, with the influence of this man, microfinance efforts have received recognition in different countries as a developmental tool, both within the government as well as the civil society.
Recently, Professor Yunus has been removed as Managing Director of Grameen Bank, by the Central Bank of Bangladesh. The event has pained people from the microfinance sector all across the world. However, in the specific context of Bangladeshi microfinance in general and Grameen Bank in particular, this has been a great loss. It will be really hard to replace the genius and vision of this man.
We in India stand in solidarity with Professor Yunus, Grameen Bank and the Bangladeshi microfinance sector. Professor Yunus has been a source of strenght and inspiration to us as we went about establishing our own nascent microfinance movement. We need him now, more than ever to help guide us in our search for improved products, services and delivery models to bring meaningful change to the lives of the poor and downtrodden.
We, the undersigned, wish him and the people of Bangladesh a full and complete recovery to normalcy.
(This petition has been signed by over 300 members of the Indian Microcredit sector)
