Recent events in south Asia have led to an unexpected reversal in the narrative of microfinance, long presented as a development success. Despite charges of poor treatment of clients, exaggeration of the impact on the poorest as well as the risks of credit bubbles, the sector can play a non-negligible role in reaching financial services to low-income households. In regulating the sector, there is need for caution in setting interest...

My attention was drawn to “An Open Letter to the Chief Minister of West Bengal” which was signed by thirty members of the civil society of Kolkata and Delhi. What disturbed me was the tone and tenor of the language used in the letter in denouncing Ms Mamata Banerjee’s bold initiative in inviting the Maoists of Junglemahal for a dialogue after “ceasefire”. May I ask with all humility who among the...

-The United Nations   Global efforts to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS are showing optimistic results, but transformative efforts are needed to accelerate progress, according to the latest report released today by the United Nations agency leading the fight against the disease.   The Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2011, produced by the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), shows there has been a significant decrease in infection rates and HIV-related deaths, as well...

Special schools will be set up for mentally challenged children in Japanese Encephalitis (JE) affected areas while fixed monthly compensation will be given to families below the poverty line having children with disability due to JE. A group of ministers (GoM) formed to handle India's JE outbreak which included Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jairam Ramesh, Krishna Tirath and Mukul Wasnik met for the first time on Monday to finalize a new strategy....

A trained volunteer on a motorcycle loaded with an LCD television, a sound system and a generator set could be touring the districts soon to spread the word about the landmark unique identity project that has already seen as many as 34 lakh receive their numbers in Jharkhand. E-Avas, or Ekal Audio Visual Awareness System, designed by a local entrepreneur, will get on the road once an awareness film on the...