At the Centre for Micro Finance (CMF), we recently started a podcast series to provide a new avenue for understanding and relating to our research. For the first two podcasts, my colleague Dan Kopf goes on-site to Kolkata to interview two CMF research associates and learn more about their projects, and how they are running in the field.
The first podcast is with Jyoti Mukhopadhyay, who works with MIT professors Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee. Together with these professors, Jyoti oversees a study that is testing the effectiveness of a program at Bandhan, a microfinance institution based in Kolkata, to improve the economic situation of the “ultra-poor” (people living on less than Rs. 50 (~US$1) a day). As Jyoti explains, the three main phases for programme participants are the following:
• Grants of Rs. 5,000 (~US$100) to begin a small enterprise (hopefully!)
• Beneficiaries are allotted a fund to help cover health expenditures
• 24 months of regular business training
Through the podcast, you get to learn how the project is working on the ground, early results and Jyoti’s thoughts on the initiative.
In the second podcast, Dan interviews Emmerich Davies about a project with Village Welfare Society (VWS), which examines the influence of repayment frequency on microfinance clients' household welfare and delinquency rates, and social connections between microfinance client groups. Emmerich works with Harvard professors Rohini Pande and Erica Field on the project, and these professors have written a paper on initial results. My favorite part of the podcast was learning more about how the the lottery is used to test social connections.
Enough from me. Check out the podcasts, which are both about 10 minutes long, by clicking the links below. We are still working on streaming the audio, which should be functional in the next month or so. Enjoy!
• Interview with Jyoti about Bandhan’s Ultra-Poor Programme
• Interview with Emmerich about VWS’ experimentation with repayment schedules
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Curious if microfinance schemes are used to fund admissions into the IIMs, with their new Computer-Adaptive Tests http://blog.scientificleader.com/2008/12/01/indias-harvard-to-use-computer-adaptive-testing/
Thane District Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik took representatives of various junior colleges
Thane District Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik took representatives of various junior colleges to task for not attending the interactive session called by him on Friday at NMSA.
Naik asked NMMC officials to read out the names of colleges, who did not send their representatives for the meeting. The college representatives were even asked to sign their attendance before the meeting began. Naik then instructed CIDCO officials to speak to authorities of those colleges who did not attend the meeting and seek an explanation.
Naik pointed at the increasing number of complaints from parents and students during the Janata Darbar and complained that some haughty principals from prestigious private institutes don't even look at the recommendation letters sent by him. "Are they above the system? They don't think it necessary to attend a meeting called by the guardian minister, civic chief and top police officials? Some schools behave like corporate and think in terms of profit and loss," he questioned.
He also urged principals to consider giving admission to poor students which is part of their social responsibility. "At times, authorities simply throw the request letters into dustbin. Many parents are unable to afford fees and hence they seek our help. Schools in Navi Mumbai who have received land from CIDCO at concessional rates must give preference to the sons-of-soil," he said. Civic chief Vijay Nahata pointed out at the number of freebies offered to students from impoverished backgrounds in NMMC schools and urged others to do the same.
The powerful and influential Naik family
”Thane Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik and NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik arriving at the same venue made for a powerful picture. Because this is for the first time after MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik won the parliamentary elections that the trio came together on the same dais. The love affair of Navi Mumbai with the Naik family started off with Ganesh Naik and has passed on to his sons so much so that today Ganesh Naik holds two significant portfolios of Environment and Excise in the state, his elder son MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik is the spokesperson of NCP in the parliament and his younger son Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik holds the keys to NMMC treasury. Ask Ganesh Naik what he has to say on the powerful tri that they represent and this is what he has to say.
Indeed with the Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik and NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik brought to life the impact of the three most powerful and influential men of the first family of Navi Mumbai.
Many flock Bhavkaleshwar temple to wish Thane Guardian minister Ganesh Naik
There is a reason why is considered to be the tallest of leaders in the region. This week when Thane Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik celebrated his birthday, from the young to the old, to the handicap and even the third gender made a beeline to Bhavkaleshwar Temple to greet the undisputed secular leader on his birthday. We decided to select the moments of moments from the celebrations as our wrap up report for this weekend. Thank you so much for staying with us.
They flocked to Bhavkaleswar temple since morning to wish their leader “Happy Birthday” and as the day moved into noon and noon into evening, most of the time Thane Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik could not budge even a bit as well wishers and followers surrounded him one after the other to meet and greet the leader on his birthday. Some brought flowers, some unique gifts, some shook hands while some hugged Ganesh Naik overwhelmed to meet the leader on his birthday.
Sandeep Naik, the Standing Committee chief of NMMC filed the nomination from Airoli constituency at Saraswati Vidyalaya, Airoli as NCP candidate
Candidates from major political parties filed their nominations for the October 13 assembly elections from Belapur and Airoli seats on Thursday.
On the same day, Sandeep Naik, the Standing Committee chief of NMMC filed the nomination from Airoli constituency at Saraswati Vidyalaya, Airoli as NCP candidate. "Mathadi leader Narendra Patil, MLC Manda Mhatre, corporators and people from all caste and religions accompanied me. I would request to exercise their franchise in the favour of the right candidate," Sandeep added.
Shri Sandeep Naik’s visionary leadership
The budgetary allocations of the corporation under his chairmanship are a standing example of shri sandeep Naik’s visionary leadership. He approved provisions for the civic work inside condominiums, development and beautification of gardens, parks and ponds, corridor improvement plane for palm Beach road , implementation of e-governance and integrated solid waste management project.
Shri Sandeeep Naik’s initiative led to budgetary provisions for a science museum, planetarium, swimming pool, indoor-stadium, water re-cycling , use of non conventional energy and citizens’ help- desk. Quality amenities for a good lifestyle for all income groups, timely execution of projects are his recommended tools for good, turning the vision into realty. The improvement of the city is the foremost thought mind and during every foreign trip he is possessed wanting to gain new concepts, in order to make Navi Mumbai, the world’s best city with global standard infrastructure and public amenities.
Sandeep Naik visits Navratri in Airoli
To seek the blessings of goddess Durga, NCP Airoli candidate Sandeep Naik visited the Navratri mandals at Gotivali. Sandeep Naik also visited the household durga idols and interacted with the residents.
The streets of Gotivali in Navi Mumbai were decorated and lit up with the festive lights but what made the atmosphere charged, was the presence of NCP’s youth candidate from the Airoli assembly constituency Sandeep Naik. Dressed in a simple white kurta, Sandeep Naik exuberated the aura of youth and dynamism. In lieu of the upcoming state assembly elections, he visited the various Navratri mandals of the node to seek the blessings of the Goddess Durga. At the same time he also visited household durga idols and interacted with the people. The locals showed their gratitude to this young leader and welcomed him with shawls, bouquets and smiles.
Ncp Airoli Candidate Sandeep Naik Rallies At Vashi
Congress-NCP Airoli candidate Sandeep Naik continued is election rally from Kopri village to sector 28, 29 and 14 of Vashi to meet the residents. With the elections just a few days away, Sandeep Naik was seen alone campaigning in these sectors. Present along with him was his uncle Dyaneshwar Naik. Sandeep Naik said that it was a great response that they received from supporters during the rally. He said that there agenda and mission was to convert Navi Mumbai into a world class city which they were confident of doing.
It's a new son-rise for Ganesh Naik
NCP-Congress alliance candidate Sandeep Naik registered victory in a cut-throat competition from the Airoli constituency on Thursday. He defeated Shiv Sena-BJP candidate Vijay Chauguley, political archrival of the Naiks, by 11,964 votes. Sandeep managed to get 79,075 votes out of the total 1,57,751 votes cast, while 67,118 voters favoured Chauguley.
'Airoli strongman' Chauguley made a good start in the initial rounds by taking good lead; however as the counting went on, Sandeep covered up the gap and after the 22 rounds of the counting, it became clear that Sandeep would represent the Airoli constituency in the House for the next five years.
The counting session was full of drama, in fact. Sandeep clinched 3,687 and 3,282 votes in seventh and eight rounds respectively, while Chauguley could garner 3,199 and 3,224 votes in those rounds. Still, at end of eighth round Chauguley had a lead of 815 votes. Thereafter, the margin remained neck-to-neck till the 14th round. However, from the 15th round onwards, Sandeep maintained a clear lead till the final round.
The Sandeep Naiks' main poll plank was development
The Naiks' main poll plank was development, with father and son repeatedly citing the Morbe Dam as a major achievement and promising more along the same lines.
Other much-touted achievements include the 14-km ThaneBelapur Road Project, the only highway in the state on which no toll is levied, and the introduction of Volvo and CNG buses for public transport.
The NMMC is also planning to earn carbon credit by reducing methane gas emissions and converting garbage into fuel and fertiliser.
As for the future, the Naiks have promised an independent power generation project to ensure 24-hour power supply to the city.
Other promises include more vertical growth, especially for dilapidated buildings and no increase in taxes.
The purchase of Morbe has made the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation -- where the NCP is in power too -- the first in the country to own its own dam.
With the pipelines ready, Navi Mumbai is now all set to receive 24x7 water supply, beating even neighbouring megalopolis Mumbai in this respect.
Ganesh Naik duo clean sweep in Navi Mumbai
IT WAS a clean sweep for the Nationalist Congress Party in Navi Mumbai with the father-son duo of Ganesh Naik and Sandeep Naik emerging victorious in Belapur and Airoli, the two Assembly constituencies in the satellite city.
While it was a smooth ride for three-term MLA and state excise, labour and environment minister Ganesh Naik against BJP's Suresh Haware, son Sandeep Naik faced nervous moments as Shiv Sena's Vijay Chougule steadily garnered more votes in the initial phase of the counting. Despite having lost to Sandeep's brother Sanjeev Naik in the Thane constituency in the recent Lok Sabha elections by over 40,000 votes, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance had again fielded Airoli corporator Chougule to challenge the Naik supremacy.
It’s Again Ganesh Naik The Badshah Of Navi Mumbai
Dynastic rule was made the single biggest allegation against the Naik family in these assembly elections. Every candidate made this an issue to attack Ganesh Naik and Sandeep Naik’s candidature appealing voters to vote against them. But the voters have given a fitting reply to these allegations said Ganesh Naik after the results were announced as he once again established that he is the badshah of Navi Mumbai.
With Dr. Sanjeev Naik having been given the parliamentary candidature from Thane Lok Sabha constituency, the allegations of dynastic rule by the Naik family had begun. And when Sandeep Naik’s candidature was announced from Airoli, the opposition made dynastic rule of the Naik family a poll issue. So much so that the Congress corporators united and resigned from the party naming the past district Chief Namdeo Bhagat as the Congress rebel candidate against Ganesh Naik in Belapur constituency and Vasant Mhatre as the Congress rebel candidate from Airoli constituency. But the rebel factor seems to have had no impact on the electoral results as NCP candidates won with a comfortable lead in both Airoli and Belapur constituency.
Ganesh Naik thanked voters for continuing to support progressive thoughts and stable leadership.
When the media posed this question to Ganesh Naik, he said that he has never criticized the act of the Congress rebel even during the elections.
On the questions of allegations of dynastic rule, he said that the voters of Navi Mumbai have given a fitting reply to these allegations by voting for progress and development. Ganesh Naik also shared with the media his immediate priorities for his constituency. Ganesh Naik thanked voters for continuing to support progressive thoughts and stable leadership. There were so many allegations of dynastic rule, criticism and rebel factor against Ganesh Naik in Navi Mumbai during these elections but the results have established again that Ganesh Naik is indeed the badshah of Navi Mumbai politics and the citizens’ first choice for their leadership.
Weeklong Celebrations Culminate As The Sikh Community Celebrated Guru Nanak Jayanthi With Enthusiasm In The City
The weeklong celebrations come to an end as the Sikhs of the city, celebrated the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith.
Guru Nanak Jayanthi is the birth anniversary of the founder of the Sikh faith who was born in the month of Kartik. Born in 1469 A.D. at Tolevandi, some 30 miles from Lahore, the religion of Sikhism was founded is the result of his great vision, dedication and devotion. For the Sikhs it is a time of celebration. Men, women, and children, participated in this karseva as service to the community, cook food and distribute it in the 'Guru ka Langar', with the traditional 'Karah Prasad'. The Sikhs also visit gurudwaras where special programs are arranged and religious songs are sung in praise of guru nanak. A similar gathering was held at the Gurudwara at CBD Belapur where Thane Guardian Minister and Belapur MLA Ganesh Naik was present. He was welcomed with the traditional shawl and sword of the Sikhs.
Sandeep Naik approved provisions for the civic work
His maturity in the way he conducts the standing committee meetings belies his young age. He comes prepared with complete homework, and agenda for the meeting, initiating healthy debate , showing respect for the opposition , admonishing official when wrong and complementing them for good performance, getting the municipal chief meet members demands wherever justified and finely summing up each subject, weighting the pros and cons even while acknowledging problem areas and suggesting solutions or issuing order to the administration . This confidence comes from his ‘chairman at your doorstep,’ tours to every nook and corner of all wards in the city. He is firmly rooted to the ground to every common citizen as his vision for the city in very futuristic.
The budgetary allocations of the corporation under his chairmanship are a standing example of shri sandeep Naik’s visionary leadership. He approved provisions for the civic work inside condominiums, development and beautification of gardens, parks and ponds, corridor improvement plane for palm Beach road , implementation of e-governance and integrated solid waste management project.
When NMMC started the work on Thane Belapur Road
Conceived by Thane Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik and completed under the headship of Sandeep Naik as Standing Committee Chairman of NMMC, the Thane Belapur today has made the nightmarish commute full of potholes and craters a thing of the past.
When NMMC started the work on Thane Belapur Road, commuters had little trust whether the NMMC would live upto the picture it had painted of a smooth drive to Thane for the next 25 years at a stretch. NMMC allocated Rs. 111 Crores for the work and so far Rs. 130 Crores have been spent on the project. Unanimous opinion is that the drive to and fro from this stretch especially for Navi Mumbaikars and Thaneites was never this smooth, no traffic congestion and time saving. With the media keeping a close watch on the work, the NMMC ensured that the work lived up to the promises made to citizens. The six-lane road is so wide enough that many vehicles can pass at a time from either side. And the concretization work has also ensured that motorists do not have to spend extra on maintenance. And there’s more, the authorities are planning to ensure a non-stop drive on this road after averting all the chances of road crossing by the pedestrians. Necessary provisions have been made in the plan of the flyovers so as to facilitate road crossing by vehicles and pedestrians as well, without obstructing the traffic flow on the Thane-Belapur road.
The magic of the secular leader of the masses continues – Ganesh Naik
For a leader who proved his magic for nearly four decades, assembly elections 2009 seemed to be the biggest battle for Ganesh Naik. His opponents tried everything possible to defeat Ganesh Naik in the assembly elections but the results have shown that the magic of the secular leader of the masses continues – Ganesh Naik has proven again that he is the undisputed badshah of Navi Mumbai politics.
In the assembly elections 2009, wherever one visited either Belapur or Airoli constituencies, you were sure to have complicated “who will undercut who” calculations flung at you. In the last three months of election campaigning the BJP-Shiv Sena continuously talked about the change mantra that was all set to conquer Navi Mumbai while the united strength of Congress rebels were over confident of toppling the dynastic rule of the Naik family. These cards could have worked in some other constituency, not in Navi Mumbai.
Ganesh Naik Gets Excise
Chief minister Ashok Chavan announced the portfolios after hectic lobbying for the creamy and sensitive revenue department. Both Narayan Rane and Patangrao Kadam were eyeing it and the CM gave it to Rane on the high command’s order. Kadam has been given the lesser important forest ministry. Following are the portfolios given to the top Congress Ministers:
GANESH NAIK
PORTFOLIO - Excise
EARLIER HELD - Excise, Environment
Intra-party fights within the Congress and NCP were responsible for the portfolios being finalised so late. Chavan made the announcement at around 11.30 pm on Sunday night.
Shri Sandeep Naik has pressed Green hope into this several with this aim in Navi Mumbai .
Capable of taking decision and keeping a vigilant control of the administration, the young Shri Sandeep Naik believes in co-operation and co-ordination between the administration, and elected representatives for the smooth, forward movement of the chariot of development. Azim Premji’s work philosophy-‘work hard .work smart’. Shri sandeep Naik’s responsibility to the warning of global warming was in founding the NGO Green Hope in 2007. Planting of lakh sapling last years, he lead organization to a two lakh tree plantation drive in the city this year. He founded Green hope to promote environmental awareness and ethical relationship between nature and citizen. Shri Sandeep Naik do not merely stress on planting sapling but on ensuring their survival and conserving them so as to achieve optimum green cover in a rapidly expanding concrete jungle.
Spectra Auto Inauguration
A new bike showroom, the “Spectra Auto Showroom” was inaugurated in Navi Mumbai at the hands of Thane MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik.
Its good news for all the bike lovers of Navi Mumbai as the city has got a new showroom. The showroom named “Spectra Auto Showroom” located at Shirwane, Nerul has a got some latest models Hero Hondo bikes. The showroom was inaugurated recently at the hands of Thane MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik. Also present during the ceremony was the officials of the showroom which included the Regional Manager of Hero Honda Danesh Siddiqui and Managing Director of Spectra Auto Sumit Gupta. The main attraction of this place was its brand new Karisma ZMR which has distinct features. The keys of the first bike bought from the showroom was handed over to the owner by Thane MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik. The Regional Manager of Hero Honda spoke about the price and features of Karisma ZMR. We also shared a word with the Managing Director of Spectra Auto Sumit Gupta who was hopeful of the new launch. Visit the showroom do have a tour of your dream bike.
Belapur Mla Ganesh Naik Take Oath In The First Session Of The New Assembly
As the 288 members of the state assembly took oath, MLAs from Navi Mumbai – State Excise and Non Conventional Energy Minister Ganesh Naik and Airoli MLA Sandeep Naik taking the oath. Take a look.
This time NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar had given Ganesh Naik two plum portfolios. In contrast to the controversial Environment Dept., this time Sharad Pawar had given Ganesh Naik Excise and Non Conventional Energy that includes working on policies that can have far reaching impact on the energy resources of the state. With Ganesh Naik inducted as Minister in the state cabinet, his elder son Dr. Sanjeev Naik sitting in Delhi and younger son a MLA colleague, the expectations from this tenure of Ganesh Naik for the state and Navi Mumbai is sky high.
State Excise Minister Ganesh Naik Orders Immediate Repair Work For Sanpada Bridge After Inspection
Looks like authorities have finally woken up to the dangers of weak bridges along rail routes post the Kopri incident. In the course, State Excise and Non-Conventional Resources Minister Ganesh Naik paid an inspection visit along with officials at the Sanpada Bridge that has been reeling under unsafe conditions for years. The Minister has ordered immediate repair work of the bridge.
Every year, Dutta Jayanti is organized on a grand scale on December 1st at the Dutt Temple at Sanpada. Lakhs of devotees from all over the city and nearby areas come at the temple for Dutt Jayanthi. And scores of these devotees use the Sanpada railway bridge to reach the temple. The Sanpada bridge that was built years ago jointly by CIDCO and Railways was never maintained post its construction. This is one of the reasons why the bridge reels under highly deplorable conditions. Continuous movement of trains on the rail routes underneath the bridge has led to it being in shaky conditions putting the lives of commuters using it at risk. For years the locals have been demanding that the bridge be repaired but all in vain. At last, State Excise and Non-Conventional Resources Minister Ganesh Naik visited the bridge for an inspection.
MLA Sandeep Naik visited the ongoing work at the Thane Belapur road to inspect the quality of work being done
the pace at which it was being done. Sandeep Naik’s visit started from Thane near Mukund Company. Sandeep Naik was accompanied by NMMC City Engineer Mohan Dagaonkar along with other NMMC officials. Sandeep Naik along with the officials walked down the road stretch crossing Airoli, Chinchpada, Ghansoli, Koperkhairane and then lastly at Mahape. During his visit, Sandeep Naik informed to the media that while the construction work of a three lane road in progress along with construction of flyovers, it was found that the work of moving very slowly. He said that paid a visit to check if the administration was having any obstacles in completing their work.
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