Time magazine picked him as one of 100 people shaping our world. Today, he’s held responsible for bringing an exciting, inspirational business into disrepute. Oh, and his wife says he beat her and snatched their son. There could not be a more controversial torchbearer than Vikram Akula for an industry as quintessentially Indian as microfinance, the business of providing the poor with loans, as small as R5,000, secured not with...

Here is a background on the 2G spectrum controversy that resulted in Communications and IT Minister A. Raja of DMK resigning on Sunday: The issue dates to 2008 when nine telecom companies were issued scarce airwaves and licenses for second generation (2G) mobile phone services at Rs1,658 crore (less that $350 million) for a pan-India operation. As many as 122 circle-wise licenses were issued. The opposition said that by giving the airwaves...

India's telecommunications minister A Raja has resigned over claims that licences had been improperly given to mobile phone firms. He said he was quitting "to avoid embarrassment to the government". He denies wrongdoing. Opposition has been protesting over Mr Raja's alleged role in the sale of second generation (2G) licences. Federal auditors reportedly estimate that billions of dollars were lost as a result. Mr Raja - who belongs to the DMK party, an ally...

India's telecommunications minister has rejected calls that he resign over claims that licences were improperly allocated to mobile phone firms. Opposition anger over A Raja's alleged role in the sale of second generation (2G) licences has been growing. Mr Raja's ministry issued licences on a "first-come first-served" basis instead of auctioning them, reports say. Federal auditors reportedly estimate billions of dollars were lost as a result. Mr Raja denies any wrongdoing. In May, India's...

India's Public Distribution System (PDS) has been in a bad shape for decades, often thought to be beyond repair. Recent experience, however, suggests otherwise. Political will, increased transparency and community participation have led to an amazing revival of the PDS in Chhattisgarh though the state has only shown contempt for people's rights in other contexts… Somehow, the PDS became a political priority in Chhattisgarh and a decision was made to turn...