Time has a new list of hundred influential people, who are shaping our world through their power, talent or moral example. Vikram Akula is on this list.
Vikram is a fellow Univ. of Chicago alumnus and received a Ph.D. in political science in 2004. In 1997, he established SKS Microfinance to offer small loans to rural women in Andhra Pradesh, on the Grameen Bank model. While Time focuses primarily on the recent use of smart cards in villages, to both dispense loans and record repayments electronically, Vikram’s real achievement lies in building an institution that has dispensed since 1998 $52 million to 221,000 women, to build small businesses and supplement family income. He single handedly raised this money from individual donors and institutional lenders and built the necessary institutional infrastructure in Hyderabad and elsewhere. I wish Time had highlighted these aspects too, instead of emphasizing merely on the use of technology.
SKS has grown into a remarkable phenomenon right in front of our eyes. I recall many conversations Shankar and I have had with Vikram in Chicago and Delhi in the last 8-10 years, discussing the efficacy of microcredit model and strategies to implement microcredit, given the reality on the ground. We often challenged him and shared our skepticism but we also admired his initiative, energy and instituion building skills. We hope that this profile and recognition would further strengthen Vikram’s efforts in rural Andra Pradesh and elsewhere.
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Kannadadhavru yenu maadilve karnatakakae…
Telugu navru entreprenuers annodhikke saakshi
yaavdhe companynalli noodidhru bari telgu consultants thumbkondedhare..shekda 60% avare yidhare…Nimma Chicago nallu nodi GULTI gaLe jaasthi
Nimma aniseke yenu????
meant to respond earlier but i have been swamped.
nija, telugunavaru ella kade idare. adare kannadadavaru kadime yenu illa. svalpa sanna putta kelasagalanna avaru madtiddara karntakadalli.
probably not in this scale though. B V Jagadish contributed substantially to Bangalore corporation schools. we do what we can.
Kanditha Naavu yilli atlanta dhalli Kannada Samudhayadhavarige nammantha Kiru vayassinavru Kannadadha Samskruthi bagge Vichara galannu yillina Kannada Class nalli helthidheevi .Infact berae yella Bhashaeya class nadethayithu..Kannada bittu ..naavu yeega shuru maadidheevi .
Aadre karnatakakae yenadru maadbeku ankondideevi.
We want to promote the richness in our language by providing access to Books and supplying them ..either providing them at their door steps or reading out to kids in a class .In that way we want to instill that sense of learning among the present gen .We are having some issues with people who are here since 30 years they are not allowing us to do on our own( through the Kannada Sangha ) .They fear they would be overshadowed by us because they have been running these sanghas like a family institution and main purpose to derive entertainment benifits and iconic figure among community .
Neevu Saahithya kshetra thilidavaru.margadarshana needi
Prithvi, thanks for this write up and thanks for your comments in the Maroon. We are now throughout Hyderabad Karnataka, from Bidar to Gulbarga to rauichur. do visit us when you are next in india.
Vikram, great to hear from you. will try to make a quick trip to Hyderabad in July, which was something i was planning on actually. continue the good work.
Hey Vikram…ur plans rock!!!…no words to describe…Trend setter is what comes to my mind…awesome work…way to go!!!!!!!
Dear Vikram,
The idea behind you is like a quiet atmosphere before storm.I hope that it is going to be a big success and it is going to be an E-Revolution.We all will be with you!!
yours truly
Vishnu Chapalamadugu,
Department of Chemical Engineering,
Carnegie Mellon Univeristy,
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania-15213
Hi Vikram,
You are doing an awesome job there. You are not only charting a new path for the economic betterment of the neediest people on earth but also doing a great service to humanity at large.
My best wishes are always with you.
Hi Viki!
You are a perfect example for ‘ how a man’s idea can change a society’. Indian poor badly
need microfinance not from public sector but from private sector.Realy a noble service and good business
All the best
Hi. read an article by Sankar Sridhar in the daily today. had to find out more on the net- you are blessed - its truly a challenging work you have undertaken. proud of you.
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