The ‘Poster Boy’ of Microfinance

Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, founder of Bandhan, has been considered the “poster boy” of the microfinance industry in India. Many people may be unaware that Gosh actually spent most of his time in Bangladesh. He is a Dhaka University alumni and former employee of BRAC. As a college grad, Gosh was simply looking for a job to earn a living, without realising that his experiences would direct his path to dedicating his time and career towards microfinance and helping others to earn a living.

BRAC was the stepping stone in his career and door that gave him access to a wealth of firsthand knowledge in regards to poverty. Throughout his career at BRAC, he probably picked up a lot of valuable lessons and information that he has been able to apply in many areas of his life and career. But one story in particular has stuck with him, particularly about Chairperson ,Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. According to Gosh, when, Sir Abed was teaching some elders in a village, a young girl suggested that this would be a never ending task. For by the time he finishes teaching them, a new batch- her generation- would be ready for adult education. That pushed sir Abed to open schools. This was the first and one important lesson that would help him in the future: To think long term. Don’t just focus on today’s problems!

Ghosh went on to work with other organisations, implement his own ideas, and BRAC has supported his endeavors along the way. We have a long term partnership with the Calcutta based development organisation, Bandhan, in helping them implement an ultra poor programme and a small enterprise programme in the West Bengal. We are involved with the roll out, selecting the ultra poor women and the process for distributing assets etc.

BRAC is an institute which is dedicated to the citizens we serve world wide as well as our internal staff members. Ethics and values have been instilled in the BRAC environment to nurture staff members in order to acquire appropriate skills and work ethics that will benefit the organisation’s missions and goals, along with one’s own personal development. BRAC has been a mentor, teacher, and partner to many individuals and has contributed in building leaders like Chandra Shekhar Ghosh.

Chandra Shekhar Ghosh has been recognised for his commitment to MFI in Forbes India, and as a mentor and partner, BRAC acknowledges Ghosh for his dedication, commitment, and vision in contributing to the overall goal of eradicating poverty through his microfinance approach. We will continue to support Ghosh, and Bandhan, in efforts to achieve a vision we all share in poverty alleviation, empowering individuals, and instilling hope in the lives of the underprivileged communities.

Read the article which was published in FORBES INDIA