Appeals Prof Yunus
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 and participate in helping solve the problems afflicting our country,” the microcredit pioneer said.
Prof Yunus said it has to be ensured that Grameen Bank, which created the opportunity for poor women across the country to express their latent abilities, continues to achieve more success.
“There is a growing doubt as to whether any civil society can survive and retain its character and independence in this politically-influenced environment,” the Nobel laureate said.
“There is doubt as to whether Grameen Bank or similar civil society initiatives can be continued with their own identities and autonomy in this environment. It is an important task to protect Grameen Bank’s identity and ensure that poor people remain as its owners.”
“Let us make sure that Grameen Bank, the bank, which created the opportunity for poor women all around the country to express their latent abilities, is able to continue to achieve more success. At the same time let us work to make sure that all the initiatives from the civil society can move forward without hindrance and at a fast pace,” Prof Yunus said.
Courtesy of The Daily Star