Grameen Bank’s founder Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus on Friday vowed to resist the government’s plans regarding the future of Grameen Bank. “The government won’t be able to implement its plans. Rather, people’s wishes will be fulfilled,” he told journalists on the sidelines of the 4th Social
Business Day programme in a city hotel.“I am worried about the future of Grameen Bank and many foreign thinkers are also worried,” he said, referring to around 150 delegates from 30 countries attending the programme. “We will stand by you and no one will be allowed to take away your bank,” he said after introducing a nine-member
delegation from the Grameen Bank.
Yunus further said that people would take steps to protect the interests of Grameen Bank as it made significant contributions to the development of the country.
Responding to a question about his meeting with BNP leaders, Yunus said they expressed solidarity with him and said they would support the bank. “They also congratulated me on my getting a Congressional Gold Medal from the US government,” he added.
He, however, avoided a direct answer to the question about the comments of the finance minister describing him as a politician. “I don’t understand whether he appreciated or condemned me by calling me a great politician.”
Addressing the opening session of the 4th Social Business Day programme, Yunus explained different aspects of the movement and the various developments taking place around the world as a result of the campaign.
He said the concept of social business had been adopted by many nations in Africa, including Egypt, Tunisia, Uganda and Senegal, while the European Union had made it one of its policy issues. Giving a new dimension to the movement, a social business city was set up in Italy, Yunus told the gathering. He also praised Germany and Spain for taking leads in spreading the idea.
“Spain is facing tremendous difficulties in handling unemployment as half of its youths are unemployed,” he added.
Sweden and England had also welcomed social business to solve the problem of unemployment, he said.
US Ambassador Dan W Mozena, Japanese Ambassador Shiro Sadoshima and Prince Tunku Ali Redhauddin, a Malaysian royalty, also spoke at the opening session.
Mozena hailed Yunus as a great dreamer who wanted to put poverty in the museum. Of the seven persons who had received the Congressional Gold Medal, Yunus deserved it the most, he pointed out.
Emmanuel Faber, Eric Lesuer from France, Binod K Chaudhary from Nepal, Hans Reitz and Suskia Bruysten from Germany, Prof Masaharu Okada from Japan and Lamiya Morshed from Bangladesh took part in the discussion in the preliminary session of the day-long programme.
Terming social business as a real solution to poverty and unemployment, the speakers said governments across the globe had shown interest in incorporating social business ideas in their policy-making.
The speakers elaborated on initiatives taken in their respective countries to spread the concept of social business.
“I am deeply touched by the idea of social business and I think a solution to the world’s problems lies in this philosophy,” said Binod K Chaudhary, a billionaire from Nepal and also a member of the Communist Party.
“I have come to forge new partnerships and exchange views with others as this is not only to address social issues but business issues as well,” said.
Ipena Lucien from Haiti said social business was a powerful tool for development and for making big social changes. She told the audience that based on the idea of social business a big afforestation programme had been undertaken in her country.
Over 1000 participants including 150 foreigners from 30 countries including India, Malaysia, Nepal, Germany and France attended the daylong programme. Yunus said vision is very much important for success in social business as it will be helpful to change the people mind. With the success of social business, many people are coming but everything is depending on the success in the ground.
“Whatever style we talk, it does not matter, if people see example of success, the mind of the people will change,” said Yunus thanking all for attending the programme.
In a social business the company must cover all costs and make profit, at the same time achieve the social objective, such as, healthcare, housing, nutrition and safe drinking water for the poor.
-With The Independent input
