16. Microfinance and self-help groups – the way ahead (with special reference to Kanyakumari district)

“When the women are empowered, society with stability gets assured…”- Dr. Abdul Kalam “Rural development – the mainstay of the rural population – is surely though gradually acquiring requisite acceleration with the women leadership getting strengthened. For rural development, women empowerment appears to be the best alternative.” (Bhatnagar 2001: 52).“[Microfinance is] the means by which poor people convert small sums of money into large lump sums.” (Rutherford 1999).“Micro-financing or group..