Corona paves way for many new policies, villages need to be emphasized: Muhammad Yunus

New delhi date. 31 July 2020, Friday

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's special dialogue continues amid the Corona virus crisis and economic woes. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday held talks with renowned Bangladeshi economist and founder of Bangladesh Gramin Bank Muhammad Yunus. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi mentioned the plight of the poor due to the Koro crisis. In his reply, Muhammad Yunus said that the village economy needs to be settled today. According to him, people should be given jobs not in the city but in the village. Work on a new policy is needed after Corona.

Rahul Gandhi: You know the economy of the poor. What kind of people are being harmed by the Corona crisis?

Muhammad Yunus: I have already said that the Koro crisis has exposed the evils of society. Poor, migrant labor is among all of us but the Corona crisis has brought all of this to the fore. They are considered part of the informal sector which is not part of the economy. We can take the whole economy forward if we help them but we don't. If we talk about women, they are given a lower status in the society and no one even asks their price in the field of economy. But women have proven themselves from time to time.

Rahul Gandhi: The future is difficult for countries like India and Bangladesh. Small traders have the same future but the system is not looking.

Muhammad Yunus: We, the people, are moving like the western countries in economic matters, that is why this is not being addressed . Small laborers and traders have a lot of talent but the government does not consider them part of the economy. In western countries villagers are sent to the city for jobs and now the same is happening in India. Why don't we have an economy in the village? Earlier cities had infrastructure and not villages but today everyone has the technology so why send people to the city. The government should bring work wherever there are people.

Rahul Gandhi: We have accepted a lot from the West but empowering the village is the model of India and Bangladesh. Mahatma Gandhi also said that we have to move our rural economy forward.

Muhammad Yunus: The Corona crisis has stopped the economic machine and people are thinking that the situation will soon return to normal . But what is the hurry? If that happened then it would be worse. Why do we have to go back to a world where global warming is a problem and there are many other problems. It would be said to be very harmless. Corona has given us a chance to do something new. You have to do something different so that society can change completely.

Rahul Gandhi: It would be better to work on the model of Asia than the policies of the West. Has the corona virus given us that opportunity?

Muhammad Yunus: This should be the mantra not only of Asia but of the whole world. When we started Grameen Bank, it was just about Bangladesh but gradually that model became global.

Rahul Gandhi: I think the problems in India and Bangladesh are very similar but there are some changes at the social level. There are divisions based on race which is different from the West.

Muhammad Yunus: If we have a caste system there, there is apartheid in America. But today we have to go back to humanity. The Corona virus has left all this behind and now there is an opportunity to create a new system.

Rahul Gandhi: The main thing is that you have to trust your people and then you can move on. It is necessary to show faith in the poor. You go ahead, we will support you.

Muhammad Yunus: When we started Grameen Bank, people were shocked why we were giving so much money to them. It was only 1000-2000 rupees more for the poor. Billions of dollars are now lent every year. Now it is necessary to start a new system. We didn't ask anyone for a paper. Just helped as needed.

Rahul Gandhi: We created an organization in Uttar Pradesh and since then we have seen millions of women getting stronger. But he was attacked by a government for political reasons. How to work in these circumstances where there is political risk?

Muhammad Yunus: The government has the power and it can put an end to many issues. But if you're doing nothing for people but you don't manage. So most of the matters remain in the hands of the government and the more you try the more force will come back. It is also important to talk to businessmen if you are helping the poor financially.

Rahul Gandhi: There was a crisis of migrant workers in India today. Corona destroyed their world. I talked to a lot of people. Their first goal was to get food and cash soon. But the government's thinking was different, forcing millions to return home. Under these circumstances the world would come forward with a new policy after Corona. I think we have more opportunities than in the West.

Muhammad Yunus: What do you see in the next generation of Indians and what do you want to give to future generations? Do you want to move forward like this or do you want something else to move forward? Today, young people from all over the world are on the road. Whether it's a job crisis or global warming, what do you think?

Rahul Gandhi: Today people know that something has gone wrong in the country. There is a huge gap between the rich and the poor. And it appears on the mouths of the poor. It upsets people. Even young people now want something new. We are working on this issue as cons.

Who is Muhammad Yunus?

Muhammad Yunus, a philanthropist in Bangladesh, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. With Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, he revolutionized the economy and started giving loans to the poor without any collateral. Earlier in 2019, he had commented on India's economic situation. "The climate in India is volatile and people are reluctant to invest in such circumstances," he said.

It may be mentioned that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has started a phase of dialogue during the Koro crisis. He is constantly talking to experts from around the world on a wide range of issues, from economics to healthcare. Apart from that, Rahul Gandhi is also presenting his views on various issues. He recently launched a series of videos on the Indo-China dispute.