Muhammad Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with the Grameen Bank—the micro-enterprise initiative which he founded. In his profile of Yunus, the pioneer of micro-finance, Mark Hannam discusses the former’s latest initiative, ‘social business’. Social business basically means selling basic goods and products—like mobile phones, knitwear and medical services—at low prices to poor children. Interestingly, Yunus has also set up a joint venture with a French company, Danone, to sell low cost yoghurt to children. While many question Yunus’ approach to poverty it is impressive because he is not anti-business. In fact, his model is a fine reminder of the fact that business can be an important tool in the crusade against poverty. His model could be useful for other parts of the developing world in Asia and Africa.
Inside Saudi Arabia, Slate
For all those who think that women’s emancipation in Islamic countries is an unattainable goal, think again. Nicholas Schmidle using the example of Effat College, an all girls school in Jeddah, explains how slowly but surely Saudi Arabia is going through a social transition—especially with regard to women’s rights. At Effat school, girls play sports and do not cover their heads, in fact some even shake hands with male guests! Interestingly, the present Saudi establishment also wants cordial relations between Jews and Muslims.
Situation Terminal, The New Yorker
Only a traveller himself can understand the significance of a well-designed airport. In the last few years, however, with an increasing number of travellers, airports in the US and UK are becoming passenger ‘unfriendly’, writes Paul Goldberger. The callous attitude of architects, airport authorities and airlines towards the comfort and convenience of travellers is responsible for this situation. Norman Foster, the man responsible for designing terminal 3 of...
