Extracts (translated) from Rahat Khans post-editorial published in daily Shamokaal on 9th March, 2011 titled: "Biswo Cup Cricket, Dr. Muhammad Yunus Ebong Onanno Proshongo"
Dr. Muhammad Yunus is a highly talented person, a pride for the nation. We all respect him so very much. In 2006 he has been awarded the Nobel Peace Price for his contribution to poverty alleviation through successful networking of micro-financing, which puts positive impact on women empowerment and poverty alleviation. Naturally, Dr. Yunus becomes a phenomenal persona, not only among us, but more emphatically, to many influential leaders and institutions around the globe. Hillary Clinton or Barak Obama, Queen Sophia of Spain or even the German Chancellor Angela Merkel are within his clutch-knock, if he intends to meet them. Dr. Yunus has now come up with a glaring idea of social business or enterprising after many years of doing high rated interest business. His mercenary talent seems almost unparallel, especially within the context of globalized world despite his initiatives being judged whether properly clicked to peace keeping process. Anyway, Dr. Yunus is regarded as an esteemed person and moreover, deemed to be an essential figure especially in the global community.
Grameen Bank is a specialized bank under the financial provisions charted out by the Bangladesh Bank. Dr. Yunus is both the pathfinder and founder of this bank. He has made this bank a tremendously profit harnessing financial institution and the scale of interest rate and profit is so high that it was of no shock or pressure to the bank at all in case of transferring its liquidity amounting 10 thousand crore Taka a few years back. In fact, no question of adjustment or disarray rose so far as Grameen Bank and its other subsidiary or sister concerns have a tumultuous financial capacity that hundreds of thousands Taka seems to be a petty cash against its real volume.
Here I have a humble submission. If the other banks or financial institutions operating in Bangladesh be enlarged with the same facilities and financial provisions allowed to the Grameen Bank (neat interest rate 40%, no collateral provision, tax waiver in many of its business entities etc.), I recon, they could flourish at the same pace with Grameen Bank. But they were not given any such privileges, as given to Grameen Bank. Why? Is it because, as they are not involved in the crossroad to delineating poverty of the marginalized people and help them live a better human life under the adroit guidance of Dr. Yunus.
In papers, things are alright. But those who live in Bangladesh and take notes on NGO activities, for them, it is hard to anticipate that this micro-credit has great impetus to poverty alleviation. We are not saying that micro financing has limited role to play in the said domain but what we intend to mean is that the degree of poverty is not down-scaled to the expected level where it evolves the Grameen Bank like institutions with its lending provision covered by a very high interest rates. If we look at the aftermath scenario, it is documented that due to a rigorous recovery drive which ranges from filing law-suit down to snatching away essential household utensils like milking cows, goats, roof-top tins, jewelries, even nose pin (which carry high emotional value to rural women). The atrocity is not finished yet. Even reports are there, some borrowers had to commit suicide to escape Grameen Bank official's cruel hunt for loan recovery. This is all possible as because Grameen Bank is a specialized bank. Now the question remains, is it really possible to narrow poverty margin by doing this, and also where the loan policy carries a high interest rate. Wasn't it rather expected that as with a concept of pro-people banking institution, the operations of Grameen Bank would be more focused to lending micro credit with lower interest, if they really mean to alleviate poverty, help poor women in the real sense and help society to get more stable?
Now, a question to the Government of Bangladesh. Why they are not banning the cruel loan policy where interest rate is so high as 30 to 40 percent? In that case, if a specialized bank can not survive without such high rated interest, then isn't it better without them? It is also pertinent to think, is it at all necessary in a country like Bangladesh to nourish such profit mongering and deceiving banking practice which eventually brings disharmony the society rather establishing peace?
It is true that by winning Nobel Peace Price, Dr. Yunus has earned profound respect of all Bangladeshis as well as Bengali speaking people around the globe. He is indeed a pride for the nation. My personal concern is also aligned with the ongoing debate regarding Dr. Yunus on which various media in Bangladesh , particularly a leading Bangla and English daily are raising again and again. It is true that by degrading a Nobel laureate, we are simply downgrading ourselves. Nevertheless, one question still triggers our mind why the international statistics doesn't support that Grameen Bank has been a success story in alleviating poverty? Questions may further be asked, why this Nobel laureate for peace kept mum when there were severe attacks on peace, including that of Udichi's Conference, Communist Party's assembly, Ramna Botomul attak on Cchayanot's Cultural programme to celebrate Bengali new year, 21st August grenade attack on the then opposition party and killing of hundreds of workers including leader Ivy Rahman, brutal assassination of Dr. SAMS Kibria, Ahsanullah Master and many others that took place during BNP's And AL's previous regimes? May one also humbly ask why the Nobel Laureate had supported the minus-1 theory during the army backed caretaker regime after one-eleven? What real steps he has taken to establish peace in this country? Every ordinary citizen of Bangladesh has a legitimate right to know this. Besides, the Government should also ensure that this 71-year world-famous personality has a safe exit from Grameen Bank with honour and dignity. This is what I wish wholeheartedly.
__._,_.___
