Sanitation hasn’t probably got as much a face-lift earlier as it has seeming got with Sulabh International Social Service Organization. Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder, won Stockholm Water Prize 2009 for his innovation in sanitation. He has designed a “flush compost toilet” and a treatment system around it that treats the human excreta to extract [...]

Google has launched the India Elections Center, for voters in the upcoming general elections. Google launched similar election tools for the Australia and US in the past, but has added a number of new features to this iteration and added a stronger focus on localized information. The election center enables citizens to get information about [...]

India Knowledge @ Wharton features an interview of Ajay Gupta, founder of various institutions that cater to employment necessities in rural India. Ajay Gupta talks about ruralnaukri.com, a job portal for college educated village youth and villegenaukri.com for school graduates. His views about impact rural employment can have on Indian economy are thought provoking. Today, [...]

In a move that could have a huge impact on the social sector in India, Infosys Technologies is reported to have launched a program where the some employees are provided an option to work with a non-profit for a year and the company would pay half the salary. The program was announced by Infosys CEO Nandan [...]

Some of the challenges faced by Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in India have revolved around the issues of a lack of trained labor for local level administration, resource mobilization and the cost of services. One way to tackle these problems is through the use of Management Information Systems (MIS) and this is being demonstrated by Equitas, [...]

This year, I’m helping to run the Harvard International Development Conference (IDC) at the Harvard Kennedy School.  It promises to be an exciting event, with panel topics ranging from the role of mobile technology as a means of alleviating poverty to private sector-led, entrepreuneurial models for development.  If you intend on attending the conference, please [...]

Today, as part of my “Strategic Marketing for Public and Nonprofit Organizations” class, we heard from David Dodson, founder of Project Healthy Children.  Although his talk was specifically targeted for those interested in leading nonprofit organizations, I found his comments relevant for emerging social entrepreneurs as well. In particular, he posed four critical questions for [...]

Here is an excerpt from an article I wrote for my school newspaper: Empowerment occurs when someone is given the means, either through new responsibilities, economic independence or other ways, to take a greater ownership in the actions of their everyday lives. Empowerment of individuals who were previously marginalized is one of the fundamental tenets [...]

As you may notice on the sidebar, we have a new featured survey for you all to participate in. Here is some additional information directly from the survey makers: NGOs: Dig into your strengths and opportunities AND win great prizes! Ethos Advisors and NGO Post have created a short survey to assess the needs to [...]

Here is an upcoming event in NYC for AIF. Their annual benefit looks to be a good one this year. Details below. You can go here to buy tickets. A Toast to Good Health At 480 Lexington Avenue (at 46th Street), New York City Saturday April 11, 2009 7:30 pm to midnight Open bar from [...]