The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sabiha Mahmud Sumi

Classes and castes, all part of the classification we tend to make when we think about people in our own societies. Classifications, justifications belonging to the prejudice views we have among us all. Segregation of the poor and the rich is a method we all use to categorize people. With this on our shoulders, we still move along with the globalization in this world. Many in the upper class don't need too much to reach an even higher position in society but some who don't even have the minimum power to survive are the ones who pay the price of life. Poverty-stricken, deprived and hungry for some money, the destitute natives in need for a start up fund for career life which will provide their families with constant financial support. Some people take that extra mile to make that difference which will help equalize the world to some extent. In a more clear statement, NGO's such as Bandhan and ASA help the underprivileged improve quality of life. Not much do they gain by this humble effort but satisfaction within.

Bandhan, an NGO changing the lives of many people out there. Situated in the state of West Bengal in India and with the high population of impoverished people, this NGO has made its way to the top by conveying the message "hope for the poor". Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, man in possession of Bandhan, has worked his way up to the top by lending his hand out to all the poor people out in the streets of West Bengal. His work, this standardized institute that is of great assistance to the needy, has changed lives of numerous people in several parts of West Bengal. Such lives have taken this chance to anchor their source of income. One such woman, Joya Dutta who has taken good advantage of this opportunity provided by Bandhan to improve her career and to upgrade her family to the next level.

Born and brought up in Kolkata, Joya Dutta's family consists of eight siblings, three sisters and five brothers. Considering the time period back then, their family was under good conditions and impressions according to Mrs. Dutta. Their family was involved in a small business of producing and distributing incense stick products. As embossed in their culture, marriage played a huge role in their community, leaving education with a low priority. This being the main reason of her early marriage and her education which was stopped when she was in 7th grade. Born in 1971 and married at the age of 16 she has managed to live a decent life. Now at the age of 36 she lives in her in-laws house with her husband and three kids. One daughter has already been married and has moved out and into her husband's place. While the other daughter has studied till grade 8 and is currently living with them. The youngest child being the son is involved in their family business. Her career being the garment factory she owns. She produces pillow covers, bed covers and the design work on many t-shirt products. With the assistance of Bandhan she has been able to expand her business by hiring workers and purchasing a new sewing machine. She has become a member and has worked up to four fairly large loans. Her net income amount to around Rs. 2000 per month. The family is fully dependent on the wages therefore making it hard for her to run the full family on this money alone. Not only is the family dependent on the income but even the workers at the factory. In all this, Bandhan does play a major role in their family's career. They have been supported in real good means by this organization. With all the money they have been able to buy two new sewing machines and one new lock machine for their factory. Moreover, Bandhan has also given them a chance to organize their lives in such a way that they are now able to dream of a bigger goal. First mission being the expansion of this small business. And second being the purchase of advanced machines so they are able to make more exquisite items.

This being one such example out of the many other lives that are changing and yet to be changed by the aid Bandhan is providing. Their expansion has become a crucial factor, a factor that is reaching superior levels in the societies in India. Bandhan came on track in July 2002, with much support from the president of ASA (an NGO in Dhaka, Bangladesh). Small groups in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Bihar, Jharkhand and even Orissa have been developing throughout these for few years, leaving Bandhan with the statistics of 467 branches in 6 states; 2,420 staff members; 1,788 credit officers; 37,827 groups; 862,243 members; and 780,755 borrowers in total as of October 2007. By this time, 30 districts have been covered in total by Bandhan. Five whole years of such tremendous performance, it's all a dream come true for Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh. His idea for this institution being a realization of what life is all about and how we can lend a hand to the ones who aren't able to live life comfortably because of the financial issues. Their main goal being just "an access to the poor" since the financial demand is so high that it is a necessity for people to earn money to support a living. And Bandhan is the microfinance organization which provides this access to money in a very easy and simple way.

Success and achievement, the clear rewards of the level of performance they are working at. This is a result of the sufficient training attained by every one of the staff members and of course the ability to be so aware of each of their roles. Clearly set out and mapped are all their goals and future plans of expansion which has helped them to move faster. Some of these goals are not to only do with the expansion of this association but to be an ideal example of those around. Their ambition is to reach 2 million clients by the end of March 2008 and in around five year's time 5 million clients. With this hope and aspiration they are moving towards their future. With the rate of success at this level you can find a clear path as to where Bandhan is heading towards. As Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh states, "our organization is all about creating an ideal image of introducing positive changes in the financial empowerment of the poor".

[The writer is a Bangladeshi student of grade 10 at Kodaikanal International School in Tamil Nadu, India]