Economic sustainability challenges facing the poor women of India: Leadership example from a not-for-profit public sector

Modern day India is largely portrayed as an economic powerhouse but a vast majority of the billion-plus population is still deprived of the gains of economic prosperity. In view of this National Credit Fund for Women (Rashtriya Mahila Kosh) was set up by the Government of India in 1993, the organization is engaged in micro finance loans and land reforms for women organized in self help groups through government and non-governmental organizations (NGO). This research paper also features an interview with Dr. Sudarshan Synghal, former Executive Director of National Credit Fund (NCF) for Women, India. Today the organization boasts more than 5500,000 women beneficiaries, about 55,000 self help groups across 24 states of India (until the year 2006). Combined with micro-credit, health needs, skill up gradation, crop credit, land acquisition & leasing etc. form part of NCF’s activities