For a great step forward

After months of tension and controversies, CWG is all set to begin. The arrangements made for the games are now widely appreciated. Opening ceremony showcased the vivid culture of India colourfully. Now the arena is taken up by its people-the contingents. With over 6000 athletes from 71 countries, this Games is the biggest one in the history of Commonwealth games.

The games was struck with the withdrawal of several star athletes. But now along with a good number of international stars, Indian team is lining up a number of world class sportsperson. This time India is hoping more and is aiming for its best result so far in any of the International competitions.India finished fourth in the last edition (Melbourne 2006) and third in Manchester (2002). This time with the home advantage, with wide support of fans and mostly with the talented young competitors, India is hoping to finish second in the medals tally. Ahead of the Asian Games this November and the 2012 Olympics, this is a golden opportunity to take a step towards those bigger stages and bigger dreams.

One of the biggest hopes is in badminton. With world No.2 Saina Nehwal and world No.6, Diju-Jwala Gutta mixed-doubles pair, it is not just a dream. The Badminton event, without China, but with Malaysia, Singapore and England, is not lacking good competition. Indian should fight hard to keep the hopes live. Chetan Anand is also hopeful in men’s singles. Tennis is another event which India has taken as favorites. In this newly added event at CWG, Indians are top seeded. Paes-Bhupati doubles pair, Somdev Devvarman, Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza are India's main contingents. With their super performance recently, Indian team may dominate the Tennis.

Boxing and Wrestling are also events where India line-up some gold bidders. With five time World champion, Mary Kom, in women’s boxing and Olympic medal winner, Vijender Singh along with Akhil Kumar in men’s event, it is not a dream which never comes true. Wrestling team, headed by World Champion, Sushiel Kumar is also ready to pick a number of medals from the ring.

The events which India bagged a number of medals last time was shooting and weight lifting. This time in Shooting it is stronger team. Olympic Gold winner, Abhinav Bindra, Samresh Jung, Gagan Narang, etc, are aiming another gold hunt at home. Weight lifting team is also aiming the same.

In Table Tennis and Squash, it will be good competition. There also India has a good squad. Sharath Kamal, last time gold winner in TT is set for another this time. In Squash, Saurav Goshal, Joshna Chinnappa and Deepika are hoping to grab at least three medals. In Archery, India may be able to take medals with Dola Banerjee as the big name. In swimming events, where Australia and England dominates India's chances are rare.

In team events, the best hope is in Hockey. Men Hockey team, with their recent setbacks in World cup and Olympics qualifiers, will have to fight hard to grab a medal, in an event where big names like Australia, England, NZL, Pakistan and South Africa take part. In women section, India is a favorite for the medal.

At last, the most important event, Athletics. Here it is a good competition with a number of African, European and Caribbean athletes. India's main hopes are Tintu Luka, Mayookha Johnny, Ranjith and Krishna Puniya. As India's performance in track events is not much better in CWG, this time also it will be hard to grab gold from the track.

Indian team's dream of the second spot is not a milestone which cannot be achieved. India has the resource for it. With the wide support of home crowd, it can be achieved. And let it be a foundation and inspiration for the bigger events. For a better tomorrow, a great step forward. Good Luck India....

Traditional micro financial systems of mutual understanding

Micro financial enterprises have grown importance nowadays. These enterprises are highly contributing to rural development in India. The rural working class population in India is in need of a financial support at various situations they face. His daily wage work will not earn him ready cash or left with him that amount to meet the expenses of several functions of his family or any emergency situation. So, in such cases micro financing is always helpful to the rural population. Bangladesh Gramin Bank of the neighboring country is a world famous micro financing institution.

But when we explore rural India, there are various traditional financial systems. 'Kuri or Chitti' is such a system seen in several areas. In this system an amount of money, (ranging from 10 000 to 50 000 usually) is fixed by the person carrying out the system. Then a number of workers (sufficient number to cover the sum total) join this scheme and each has a smaller denomination (mainly 10 percent) to pay in installment each week. Each week the fixed amount is collected and one of the members is selected by lucky draw, who will get that weeks total. He will not be drawn again and has to pay again the installment until all members get the amount. The first week’s amount will go to the person who carries out this business. If anybody is in need of money urgently, they will get next week’s draw if the concerned is contacted. This savings scheme is very helpful for daily wage workers and is even carried out abroad also were large number of Indians work.

In the south Indian state of Kerala, there is a system called 'panappayattu'.It is a system of mutual understanding, which is mainly conducted during occasions which needs a big amount of money. This tradition reflects the helping mentality, Co-operation and the mutual understanding of the rural people. Marriages and house warming are the main occasions where this system is carried out without its name used. The main aim is to meet the expense or to pay debts. A tea party is organized along with the marriage function or house warming function. This party is usually organized the day before the function. And all relatives, neighbors, friends, colleagues are invited for the party. And the guests will contribute an amount, according to his ability and considering the need of the host. All the contributions are entered in a register and kept with the host after the function. The guests are served with tea and snacks. So, the function will be gainful for the host and he may get a sum to meet the expenses at the time. There are occasions in which, good amount of money left after meeting the expenses.

The function turns to co-operation after this. The person who received the financial help will keep the register with him. This person will be invited for similar functions at many of the guest’s residence. They will be also in need of money. This time, the first person contributes the amount he received earlier, or a higher amount considering the need. So, it become like a payment back. This system is so, highly helpful in getting financial support, without usury. Each one is helping his friend, with a thought of getting a help back from him, when needed.

So, what a man will do when he is in need for money and there is no function to be held, may be for a house repair or paying a debt or something like that. He must have given money earlier to his friends on several occasions, and have to get that back. At this time he will conduct a 'panappayattu'. (Word meaning- “fight for money"; I got amazed when first viewed that board, thinking of a fight. Since in our place this practice is called’ kurikalyanam’. The person will conduct a small party in a tea shop at the village bazaar one evening and give invitations to the persons whom he has to get money. To get attraction front of the teashop is decorated with leaves and songs are played over speakers. The invitees will come and contribute (pay back), and they are served with tea and snacks. This makes the practice a financial system of mutual understanding reflecting the brotherhood and co-operation of the typical country side.

"Kuri's and 'Panappayattu' has become rare these days. The number of such functions is very low comparing to a ten year ago, even though at household functions are still continuing. The new age micro financial institutions and money lenders has taken the place to help the people with money, but with a high interest. Kuri's has also become rare, replaced by government run savings programmes, like post office savings, Co-operative banks, etc. These systems may have some advantages over the traditional ones. But they lack the spirit of country side culture. Disappearance of such practices is a big blow to the brotherhood and harmony of the village people.