http://www.blogigo.com/grameen This Blog has been created on 13th October 2006, just on the day when Nobel Peace Prize committee in Oslo has announced that Prof. Yunus and the Institution GRAMEEN won the Nobel Prize for Peace this year. Please be free and post your comment and opinion. - Moderator (Mir Monaz Haque) en bangladesh bangladesh Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:47:00 +0100 daily 1 Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said information and technology should be used to expand social business. He made the observation in a public speech at the third Global Social Business Summit in Vienna, Austria. In his speech, Prof Yunus also emphasised on social business and urged different companies to come forward in this respect. “Nowadays everybody holds the Genie of Aladin in hand. In the story, Genie emerges with the touch of hand… Genie is the cell phone having internet connection,” said Dr Yunus. Citing example, he mentioned that cell phone enables a pregnant woman to know about the condition of her unborn child only by answering some questions through it. “Cell phone should not be considered only as a medium of income but an opportunity to solve many problems,” said Prof Yunus. Nasa astronaut Ronald John Garan, who returned to earth on last April after a six-month stay in the space, also expressed his support for social... Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:47:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Expand-social-business-with-the-help-of-IT/40/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Expand-social-business-with-the-help-of-IT/40/ WASHINGTON (AP) — The bruising dispute with Bangladesh's government that saw Muhammad Yunus ousted as chief of the Grameen Bank has not diminished the Nobel laureate's enthusiasm for business projects to help the Asian nation's poor. Cellphones, drinking water, yogurt for malnourished children and solar power for rural homes are all part of the dizzying network of Grameen initiatives. Yunus chairs the board of many of them despite being forced out as the bank's managing director in May. Yunus was in Washington this week beating the drum for his concept of " social businesses " that aim to find commercially viable ways of tackling poverty. He received a hero's welcome Friday at a conference of development specialists. On Thursday, he met Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. A State Department statement said they discussed the Grameen Bank and "the United States' interest in further success of Bangladesh's... Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:44:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Nobel-winner-Yunus-promotes-social-business/39/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Nobel-winner-Yunus-promotes-social-business/39/ Leave Grameen Bank alone [Courtesy Daily Star 26/5/11] Professor Muhammad Yunus talks with Arun Devnath and Md Fazlur Rahman of The Daily Star in an exclusive interview, the first after his resignation from Grameen Bank. The Daily Star (DS): You have often said misconceptions float around Grameen Bank. What are they? Which misconceptions upset you the most? Muhammad Yunus (MY): The very common misconception is, Grameen is an NGO, but it is not an NGO because it is a commercial organisation. It has owners and all the features of a business. Grameen Bank is a special organisation, not just another bank. But people like to see it in their own way and put a label on it. Some think that Professor Yunus owns this bank and is earning a lot of money out of it. I do not own a single share in the bank. I was just an employee. Now the government is promoting an idea that it is a government bank, which never existed in... Mon, 30 May 2011 17:01:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Exclusive-Interview-with-Professor-Yunus-Leave-Grameen/38/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Exclusive-Interview-with-Professor-Yunus-Leave-Grameen/38/ May 12, 2011 I am today relinquishing the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank on the basis that the Deputy Managing Director Mrs. Nurjahan Begum would hold charge until a Managing Director is appointed in accordance with the procedures under section 14 of the Grameen Bank ordinance. Since the board of Grameen Bank is my appointing authority, it may take appropriate steps. I have still not received the Appellate Division's full order. I am taking this step without prejudice to the legal issues raised before the Supreme Court, and in order to prevent undue disruption of the activities of Grameen Bank and to ensure my colleagues and our 8 million members, and owners of the bank, are not subjected to any difficulty in discharging their responsibilities. I hope Grameen Bank will continue to operate maintaining its independence and character under the Grameen Bank Ordinance... Thu, 12 May 2011 15:56:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Professor-Muhammad-Yunus-has-Handed-over-the-Charge/37/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Professor-Muhammad-Yunus-has-Handed-over-the-Charge/37/ The research group Grameen Bank Berlin will examine the establishment of a Grameen Bank affiliate in Berlin - like the one in New York, USA. If the chances are positive, the research group will start certain initiatives for its creation. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Prof. Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank would like to open a branch in Berlin. If all goes well, he will personally coach the team. Members of this research group are: Prof. Dr. Stephan Breidenbach, Humbold-Viadrina School of Governance (Leiter) Michel Aloui, BrandStiftung Friedrich Kiesinger, CEO Pegasus GmbH, Berlin Tobias Klein, First Private Investment Ulrich Merkes, Deloitte Klaus Naderer, CEO Solidground Dr. Stephan Schwartzkopf, Gesellschaft für Projektmanagement Johannes Schwegler, Swisscontact Alois van Well, Direktor Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Prof. Dr. Alexander Kritikos, Deutsches Mikrofinanzinstitut Dirk Sander, Finanzvorstand vom Öko-Sozialem... Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/COMMISSION-GRAMEEN-BERLIN/36/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/COMMISSION-GRAMEEN-BERLIN/36/ Appeals Prof Yunus Dhaka May 7, 2011: Grameen Bank's future is connected with 40 million borrowers, and it should be ensured that its achievements in the last four decades are not undone, Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus said in a statement yesterday. "Now our challenge is to create the opportunity so that the second generation of Grameen Bank borrowers can move away from poverty forever. This should now be our goal and we should strive to achieve this goal as quickly as possible," Prof Yunus said. "It is indeed a much wider and much more significant issue to save the future of Grameen Bank and also to protect the hopes and dreams of over 80 lakh borrowers." About his own course of life, the Nobel laureate hinted that he would be working with the young generation from other platforms to address the problem of poverty at home and abroad. "Through social business, I will ensure that my initiatives continue. I am inviting all to join in... Sun, 08 May 2011 01:45:27 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Let-Grameen-Bank-flourish-further/35/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Let-Grameen-Bank-flourish-further/35/ HC verdict on Yunus wrong, biased: counsels [Star Online Report] Counsels of Muhammad Yunus on Monday termed a High Court verdict over the Nobel laureate’s removal from Grameen Bank as “wrong and biased”. Pointing out that the HC summarily rejected Yunus’ petition challenging his removal and did not issue any rule upon Bangladesh Bank for explaining its letter that removed Yunus, Dr Kamal termed it as a “denial of access to justice” and unprecedented. He was placing his arguments before an Appellate Division bench during the hearing of two petitions filed seeking withdrawal of SC order that dismissed Yunus’ leave-to-appeal petition against a HC verdict that upheld a Bangladesh Bank order to remove him from the post of managing director of Grameen Bank. Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque heads the seven-member bench. After submission by three of Yunus’ counsels – Dr Kamal, Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud and Mahmudul Islam, the court adjourned the hearing till... Mon, 02 May 2011 11:04:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/HC-verdict-on-Yunus-wrong-biased-counsels/34/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/HC-verdict-on-Yunus-wrong-biased-counsels/34/ Bangladesh probe finds no irregularities in microfinance pioneer Yunus' transfer of funds DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) April 25, 2011 -- No irregularities were found in Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus' transfer of Norwegian development funds from his Grameen Bank to another venture, Bangladesh's finance minister said Monday. Yunus' idea of giving tiny loans to the poor without any collateral spurred a boom in such lending across the developing world, earning him and the bank the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. He had denied wrongdoing after a Norwegian television documentary accused him of transferring funds in 1996 without prior approval. On Monday, Bangladesh's Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith said a committee that formed in January to investigate had cleared him of wrongdoing in the transfer. Pressure from the Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka resulted in the funds being transferred back in 1998, and Norway has already said there was no indication Grameen... Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:42:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Professor-Yunus-cleared-of-fund-transfer-charge/33/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Professor-Yunus-cleared-of-fund-transfer-charge/33/ With Muhammad Yunus apparently about to be driven from an operational role at the institution that he founded and which provides micro-financing to as much as 20 percent of Bangladesh’s population, what path will Grameen Bank take without him? Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed for months has been waging a campaign to drive the Nobel Peace Prize laureate out of the bank, apparently, according to widespread reports in Dhaka because of jealousy. Although the lower courts have ordered Yunus out of the bank because he has passed the statutory age limit, the Supreme Court has yet to make a final decision. The court is expected to deliver its ruling on April 4. The government of Bangladesh appears to be mounting a concerted campaign oust Muhammad Yunus and take over the Grameen Bank. Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:57:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Unsecured-Personal-Loans-Grameen-After-Yunus/32/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Unsecured-Personal-Loans-Grameen-After-Yunus/32/ Grameen After Yunus Written by Nava Thakuria                                                                    Friday, 01 April 2011 A Bangladesh Supreme Court ruling is expected Monday that could remove him from the bank With Muhammad Yunus apparently about to be driven from an operational role at the institution that he founded and which provides micro-financing to as much as 20 percent of Bangladesh’s population, what path will Grameen Bank take without him? Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed for months has been waging a campaign to drive the Nobel Peace Prize laureate out of the bank, apparently, according to widespread reports in Dhaka because of jealousy. Although the lower courts have ordered Yunus out of the bank because he has passed the statutory age limit, the Supreme Court... Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:15:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Grameen-After-Yunus/31/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Grameen-After-Yunus/31/ DHAKA, 20 April 2011 ( IRIN ) - Lack of regulation and a surplus of donor funds in Bangladesh’s microcredit industry have led to NGOs pushing loans to over-indebted borrowers, says BRAC, [ http://www.brac.net/ ] the world’s largest development organization and heavily involved in the country’s microfinance industry. Asked whether BRAC itself had pushed loans onto borrowers who could not afford them, Shameran Abed, programme head of microfinance at BRAC, told IRIN: “Yes,” citing “excess liquidity” and a lack of communication between lenders. “In the mid 2000s, the microfinancing industry grew too fast. And yes, we did,” said Abed. “But I’ll tell you why we did - we didn’t have perfect information.” In 2009, BRAC disbursed US$1.1 billion worth of loans to women throughout Bangladesh, and like many other microfinance institutions (MFIs), claimed [ http://www.brac.net/oldsite/useruploads/files/brac-ar-2009.pdf ] that 99 percent of their borrowers paid back... Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:26:43 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Microfinance-institutions-pushed-loans-admits-major/30/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Microfinance-institutions-pushed-loans-admits-major/30/ Nobel Laureate Yunus and the judgment of King Solomon: Like many other concerned citizens of the world, I was stunned by the news that Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has been sacked by the government of Bangladesh, from his position of managing director (Head) of Grameen Bank, a community development bank he founded in 1983. The actions seem to be politically motivated, where personal gains out-weighed the potential damage. The rushed process and the general handling of the matter lacked any semblance of logic or reasoning. This incident matters to us and should concern us (even if one is half way around the world from Bangladesh) because bad judgments are simply bad, regardless of the “who” or “where” in question. We need to support ideas rooted in sound principles, and people who represent them; especially now as we witness the inferno in the Middle East. This fiasco with Professor Yunus reminded me of a story of King Solomon (also known as Prophet Sulayman); a fable commonly... Sun, 17 Apr 2011 02:19:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Nobel-Laureate-Yunus-and-the-judgment-King-Solomon/29/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Nobel-Laureate-Yunus-and-the-judgment-King-Solomon/29/ The German government, headed by Chancellor Angela Merkel, is set to introduce legislation by mid-June which will ultimately seal the demise of the country's 17 nuclear power stations. Now the focus of the country's energy debate has shifted to the question of how to pay for shutting down Germany's nuclear power plants without disrupting the economy. The governing coalition of Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and their junior coalition partner, the Free Democrats (FDP), have stated flatly that they are opposed to raising taxes to finance the switch. "I'm opposed to an energy tax," said the designated FDP chairman, Phillip Rösler. "I can assure you: With us there will be no tax hike to finance a changeover to renewable energies," he said. CDU budget expert Norbert Barthle said "no new austerity packages are needed and I rule out tax increases." But Barthle injected a caveat when asked by journalists about a possible... Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:17:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Parties-joust-over-costs-shutting-down-German-nuclear/28/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Parties-joust-over-costs-shutting-down-German-nuclear/28/ Yunus and Grameen Bank by: M. Shah Alam* [The Daily Star] 12 April, 2011 After Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had made some critical observations on Grameen Bank following a Norwegian TV documentary late last year, many critics intensified their criticisms of the Bank and its founder Professor Yunus. The criticisms did not stop after a Norwegian government probe found that alleged transfer of funds to another Grameen enterprise was eventually regularised, and the matter was settled. Other issues were also raised, including one on the legality of Professor Yunus continuing as the managing director of the Bank even after he had crossed the age-limit of sixty. The government decided to investigate this and other matters of the Bank. Around this time the Bangladesh Bank gave directives for removal of Professor Yunus from his position in the Bank. Thereupon, Professor Yunus decided to legally challenge his removal. However, there are aspects of the Professor Yunus issue that... Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:27:26 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Yunus-and-Grameen-Bank/27/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Yunus-and-Grameen-Bank/27/ Associated Press , Updated: March 07, 2011 08:34 IST Dhaka (Bangladesh): Bangladesh's High Court has delayed its ruling on the legality of a government order dismissing Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as head of the microfinance bank he founded, an official said on Sunday. Attorney General Mahbub-e-Alam said the court is likely to rule on Monday. Lawyers for Yunus made more arguments on Sunday and presented documents arguing that his dismissal is illegal, Alam said. The government is to respond on Monday. Bangladesh's Central bank ordered Yunus out of Grameen Bank last Wednesday, saying he violated the country's retirement laws. Yunus' bank, founded in 1983, pioneered the concept of reducing poverty by making tiny loans to the poor. His work spurred a boom in such lending across the developing world and earned him and the bank the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. The government holds 25 percent share of the bank and the... Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:04:48 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Bangladesh-High-Court-defers-ruling-Yunus-dismissal/26/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Bangladesh-High-Court-defers-ruling-Yunus-dismissal/26/ Professor Yunus and Grameen Bank by Jahangir Alam Sarker, Courtesy New Age 4/4/11 RECENTLY, a Bangladeshi court upheld the government's decision to dismiss Dr Muhammad Yunus from the bank he founded nearly 30 years ago. When research institutions across the world are opening Yunus centres and microcredit departments for studying his thoughts and ideas, debates and discussions started all over the world on his removal from the post of the managing director of the Grameen Bank. The government has apparently taken the decision on two grounds. First, the Bangladesh Bank sanction was not obtained prior to the appointment. Secondly, Yunus had crossed 60 years which is the age-limit for service. If we look a bit carefully, it will appear that the law was not adhered to in the true sense. No one says Dr Yunus is above the law, but it is necessary to take steps against a personality like him in the proper way. One of the fundamental points is that, to remove anyone... Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:40:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Professor-Yunus-and-Grameen-Bank/25/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Professor-Yunus-and-Grameen-Bank/25/ Rehman Sobhan, the Chairman of Centre for Policy Dialogue, a think tank for Bangladesh policy issues has presented a discourse that published in the Daily Star on the present complicacies related to Grameen and Dr. Yunus and has outlined a way out from the present situation for the consideration of the Prime Minister herself. The article is worth reading. It is one of the finest on the issue. Following is the concluding part of the article: From confrontation to statesmanship ‘The spokespersons for the government, in their recent public pronouncements, have stated that the government has no political quarrel with Yunus. All they wanted to do was to preserve the rule of law. I would like to take these declarations on behalf of the government at their face value. If, indeed, the only issue was the rule of law then the principal deviation from the law, as cited in the Bangladesh Bank order, was the failure of the Grameen Bank to seek prior approval of the Bangladesh Bank in... Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:17:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/The-Need-for-Statesmanship-Rehman-Sobhan/24/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/The-Need-for-Statesmanship-Rehman-Sobhan/24/ Robert O Blake, US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, has arrived in Dhaka Saturday on a four-day visit. He had a meeting with Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia in the evening Saturday where he called for amicably resolving the issue of Nobel laureate Prof. Yunus’s removal from Grameen Bank, a leading microfinance financial institution in Bangladesh. “The United States has expressed concern about the way the matter [Prof Yunus issue] has been handled. We hope the issue would be resolved through mutual understanding,” he told newsmen after his meeting with Khaleda Zia that began at her Gulshan office at around 7.30 pm. Meeting sources said both Khaleda Zia and Blake expressed same views on Prof. Yunus issue. Mr. Blake said Grameen Bank is a leading microfinance institution, which has employed many people especially women. Mentioning that a number of senators and congressmen expressed concern over the... Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:32:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/expects-amicable-solution-Prof-Yunus-issue-Bangladesh/23/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/expects-amicable-solution-Prof-Yunus-issue-Bangladesh/23/ ranscript of Hillary Clintons tele-conversation with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: Prime Minister Hasina (PM): Good Morning, Madame Secretary. I am very pleased to hear your voice. Secretary Clinton: Good afternoon Madame Prime Minister. I hope I reached you at a good time. PM: Yes, yes, you reached me at a good time. For you, any time is good time for me. Please feel free to call me anytime. Secretary: Madame Prime Minister I have been updated by Ambassador-at-Large Stephen Rapp about his visit to Dhaka. Honestly, at the request of New Delhi, we sent him there and tried our best to help you better organize the trial. After listening from Amb. Rapp and our Ambassador Moriarty, I felt obligated to inform you that both I and President Obama take the issue of human rights in its proper spirit. It is on this context, I called you to inform you that United States does not support the trial in its form and content. Bangladesh has to reform the whole process in a way so... Sat, 19 Mar 2011 21:46:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Hillary-Clinton-Sheikh-Hasina-tele-conversation/22/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Hillary-Clinton-Sheikh-Hasina-tele-conversation/22/ Joy's 'letter' tells it all Friends of Yunus critical of his statement Friends of Grameen, an international effort to save Prof Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank, yesterday said an open letter of Sajeeb A Wazed, son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has exposed fully the dynamics behind attacks on the country's most prestigious organisation and its founder. The group, chaired by Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said it has been particularly alarmed by the statements made by Sajeeb. "Friends of Grameen are shocked by this letter, its existence, signatory, allegations and the themes that are developed, that are now exposing fully the dynamics behind the attacks on Grameen Bank and Prof Yunus, the very strong personal content of the harassment of Yunus and Grameen Bank, the allegations that Grameen Bank has been designed as and remains an organ of state, the clear underlying view that... Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:51:58 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Joy-s-letter-tells-it-all/21/ http://www.blogigo.com/grameen/Joy-s-letter-tells-it-all/21/