Help Indian Rickshaw-Pullers Become Self-Employed

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Summary

The project creates a sustainable livelihood for poor, rural migrants living in urban India, helping them become self-employed through Rickshaw Bank. To date, 360 pullers have attained credit this way progress reportread updates from the field

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More Information About this Project

Project Needs and Beneficiaries

There are 5 million rickshaw pullers in India. A random survey across the country reveals that 95% of rural migrants and unemployed men pull rickshaws to earn their bread on a daily-hire basis and continue that way throughout their lives. They are denied use of the post office or bank. Many who seek credit to purchase a new rickshaw become victims of high interest rates. Thus, the Rickshaw Bank acts as an alternative credit delivery system.

Activities

Launch a program whereby the pullers come to own their own rickshaws, simply by paying the standard rent for 10 to 12 months.

Funding Information

Total Funding Received to Date: $2,070
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $97,930
Total Funding Goal: $100,000

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources

Why this Project is Important

Potential Long Term Impact

Apart from ownership of rickshaws, the project would provide social security and connect pullers with financial institutions. Holistic development of pullers' families--including health and children’s education-- would be facilitated.

Project Message

“Rickshaw Bank offers both visible and cost-effective sponsorship, the moral satisfaction of contributing to the sustainable development of families in Assam – and of families across India.”
- Mr. Carsten Stendevad, Global Corporate and Investment

Who is Running This Project

Contact

Pradip Kumar Sarmah,
Executive Director
Centre for Rural Development (CRD)
Dewan House, Zoo Narengi Road,
Guwahati, Assam 781 021
India
91-361-2228281
Email:

Project Sponsor

Ashoka Innovators for the Public

Organization

Center For Rural Development Logo Center For Rural Development
Centre for Rural Development
Dewan House, Zoo Narengi Road
Guwahati, Assam 781 021
India
913612228281
http://www.crdev.org

Learn more about Center For Rural Development and the project team.



Where this Project is Located

Country

This project is located in India and can also be found under Economic Development.

For more information about India, read the Human Development Report on India or the Wikipedia entry for India.

When this Project was Updated

Last Updated

This project was last updated on November 13, 2007.

Date Added to GlobalGiving

This project was added to the GlobalGiving project catalog on July 27, 2004.

Latest Update from the Field

Asian Innovation Awards 2007

By Pradip Sarmah - Project leader, November 13, 2007 05:59 PM

Dear All of my friends,

The Asian Innovation Awards, 2007 has declared here in Singapore today at a Gala Dinner organised by The Wall Street Journal Asia in association with Global Entrepolis@Singapore, a networking event held annually. The Rickshaw Bank project of Centre for Rural Development of India has been declared as the Bronze winner. In a great function held at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam Honourable Minister for Education and 2nd Minister for Finance Republic of Singapore awarded the prizes to the winner. Dr. Pradip Kumar Sarmah (Ashoka Fellow, India) the Executive Director of CRD received the award from him. The project called Biolytix Water of Australia won the Gold and Emergence Bio energy of Bangladesh won the Silver.

The awards honor individuals or companies that improve the quality of life, the environment or productivity. This year, the Journal received a record 265 entries from applicants in 16 countries and territories, an increase of 18% from last year. The Journal selected the finalists and presented them to an independent panel of judges for the selection of the winners.

Click below to see the link to all 12 finalists!

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

Pradip


Links:

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