S Rajagopalan

Microfinance has created access to financial services for millions of poor and low-income people around the globe. Yet, a large number of poor in developing countries still lack access to basic financial services. High transaction cost restrict the outreach of microfinance institutions (MFIS) have to constantly weigh outreach and sustainability in deciding how far and how fast to expand their operations. Information and communication technologies (ICTS) have emerged as a powerful solution to address the outreach -- sustainability dilemma that MFIS face. A host of ICT applications are already in use by banks and MFIS around the globe, while some are in the pilot stages. The applications range from the basic MIS solution to the mobile phones, ATMS, personal digital assistants (PDAS) and point-of sale (POS) technologies. This book examines the role that ICTS can play in expanding the outreach of microfinance services while at the same time enhancing their sustainability, the emerging and potential ICT applications in micro finance and the implications of ICT adoption on the convenience for clients. It present a number of MFI and country experiences of ICT adoption in microfinance

Rural-urban disparities, especially in developing countries, have for long been a major concern for policymakers. The disparities can be seen in all spheres of human life -- economic and social. The income inequalities, lack of employment opportunities, lack of infrastructure and civic amenities, inadequate access to education, healthcare and other basic services are some of the major areas, where rural areas lag behind urban. Globalisation and the spread of the consumerism culture has further deepened these disparities, visible in the affluence and glitz of urban areas, which stand in stark contrast to the poverty, deprivation and squalor that characterises the rural landscape in developing countries. The burgeoning slums in urban areas populated largely by migrants from rural areas are an outcome of these disparities. Seen in the context of countries like china and India, which together account for close to two fifths of the world's populations, and where 70% of the people still live in rural areas, the rural-urban divide assumes great significance. The rural-urban 'divides' is however, not the only perspective on the rural-urban equation; increasingly, experts and analysts point to the linkage that exists between rural and urban areas that mutually strengthens the rural and urban sectors. Seen from the 'linkage' perspective, the rural and the urban areas form a continuum, rather than exist as discrete geographical territories with boundaries. Growth: an overview; rural-urban links in India: new policy challenges for increasingly mobile populations; how to make rural India shine; microfinance: providing access to financial services in rural India; e-choupal: transforming rural India through technology; telemedicine in rural India; the rural-urban divide and the evolution of political economy in china; rural and urban development case study -- Bangladesh; rural & urban development case study -- Nigeria; a portrait of rural America -- challenges and opportunities.

Rural-urban disparities, especially in developing countries, have for long been a major concern for policymakers. The disparities can be seen in the various spheres of human life. This book explores the rural-urban dynamics from both the 'divide' and the 'linkage' perspectives, and looks at ways in which the rural-urban gap can be bridged.