MUHAMMAD YUNUS Saint or Sinner?
James Melik
Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
2015
nidottu
A university professor turned conventional banking on its head and helped lift millions out of poverty. His work, predominantly with rural women, and the creation of a bank to serve their needs, resulted in Dr Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank being jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. His model of microcredit, lending to poor people who have no collateral, has been replicated worldwide; not always with success, and not without its critics. His supporters look upon him as a saviour and believe his approach is the most viable way of eradicating global poverty, while his opponents accuse him of taking credit for other people's ideas and maintain he traps people in a cycle of debt from which they may never escape. His achievements have also been rewarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2013. Yet instead of acknowledging his work and embracing him as the nation's favourite son, the Bangladeshi government unceremoniously removed him from the bank he founded and publicly disparaged his accomplishments. He also challenges companies to change the way they operate. He has embarked on a crusade, talking to world leaders and addressing huge crowds, to put across his belief that social business is the solution for eliminating unemployment across the globe.Who is this charismatic yet controversial figure; the banker with the status of a rock star? Is he a saint or a sinner, or possibly something between the two? This book reflects upon the life and work of Muhammad Yunus and places it alongside the anti-poverty measures established by his peers, and within the political and social agenda of his native country.
