Integrating Unbanked Rural Populations through Frugal Innovation: A Case of Gramateller in India

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-92
Author(s):  
Prageetha G. Raju

Vortex Engineering Private Limited is based at Chennai in Tamil Nadu state in southern part of India. This company came into news with its breakthrough innovation in manufacturing, selling, installing and servicing the world’s lowest power-consuming automated teller machines (ATMs), named, the GramatellerTM targeted at the semi-urban and rural segments of India. With a mission to help banks reach out gainfully to every nook and corner of the country, Vortex, after seven years of diligent research, has designed highly reliable, eco-friendly, easy to use and rugged ATM, which can save power up to 90 per cent and can be operated using solar power. The ATM hitherto was an unviable proposition in rural areas to any bank but GramatellerTM broke the stereotype with its low power-consuming ATM, which not only provided financial access to remote areas but also increased deposits in banks. The case presents a coherent depiction about the business, and growth of Gramateller, an innovation that is unique by virtue of its frugality, disruptivity and game-changing characteristics vis-à-vis its role in integrating isolated geographies. The facts are compiled from published sources.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-22
Author(s):  
S. Appasmandri ◽  

Among the basic needs of life, food possesses ahead of everyone else as it nourishes us and able to stand which leads further activity. Tamil Nadu state is self-sufficient in food production and Nutrient availability assessment also shows the same but the consumption pattern shows inverse pattern to availability because consumption is directly related with income, education, taste and preference, cultural, ethical and etc. Food consumption patterns of rural Tamil Nadu shows that high demand of Public Distribution System (PDS) observed in earlier and gradually decreased over year. Vitamin Thiamine is coming under severe inequality category in rural areas of Tamil Nadu for both 61st and 68 rounds. Goal programming was effectively optimised the nutrient requirement with least cost and optimised to higher level of nutrient status.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. Selvavinayagam ◽  
Anavarathan Somasundaram ◽  
Jerard Maria Selvam ◽  
Sabareesh Ramachandran ◽  
Sampath P. ◽  
...  

Three rounds of population-representative serological studies through India's two COVID waves (round 1, 19 October-30 November 2020; round 2, 7-30 April 2021; and round 3, 28 June-7 July, 2021) were conducted at the district-level in Tamil Nadu state (population 72 million). State-level seroprevalence in rounds 1, 2 and 3 were 31.5%, 22.9%, and 67.1%. Estimated seroprevalence implies that at least 22.6 and 48.1 million persons were infected by the 30 November 2020 and 7 July 2021. There was substantial variation across districts in the state in each round. Seroprevalence ranged from 11.1 to 49.8% (round 1), 7.9 to 50.3% (round 2), and 37.8 to 84% (round 3). Seroprevalence in urban areas was higher than in rural areas (35.7 v. 25.7% in round 1, 74.8% v. 64.1% in round 3). Females had similar seroprevalence to males (30.8 v. 30.2% in round 1, 67.5 v. 65.5% in round 3). While working age populations (age 40-49: 31.6%) had significantly higher seroprevalence than the youth (age 18-29: 30.4%) or elderly (age 70+: 26.5%) in round 1, only the gap between working age (age 40-49: 66.7%) and elderly (age 70+: 59.6%) remained significant in round 3. Seroprevalence was greater among those who were vaccinated for COVID (25.7% v. 20.9% in round 2, 80.0% v. 62.3% in round 3). While the decline in seroprevalence from rounds 1 to 2 suggests antibody decline after natural infection, we do not find a significant decline in antibodies among those receiving at least 1 dose of COVID vaccine between rounds 2 and 3.


2021 ◽  
Vol 227 ◽  
pp. 05004
Author(s):  
Ilhomjon Musaev ◽  
Abdujalol Bokiev ◽  
Mukhtaram Botirova

The article considers the possibility of using the surface of various reservoirs characteristic of regions when allocating land for lowpower solar power plants in Uzbekistan. When implementing low-power solar power plants in Uzbekistan, a certain amount of land resources is required (for installing solar panels). From the point of view of respect for natural capital (saving land resources), the method of installing solar panels directly above the surface of water basins based on the corresponding maps of water basins is technically and economically effective. The methodological basis of the research is the results of researchers work on the problems of land relations and land management. In the research, a systematic approach to the analysis of land use has been chosen, in which a variety of tools were used to determine the essence of the analyzed phenomena, processes and patterns. In recent years, industry has been rapidly developing in rural areas of the Yangiyul district of Tashkent Province of Uzbekistan. In this regard, the problems of effective use of land resources, especially targeted use of irrigated land, has become urgent. This means that in the future there will be problems when allocating land for the installation of low-power solar power plants.


Author(s):  
Paulina Ucieklak-Jeż ◽  
Agnieszka Bem

Rural areas, as well as urban ones, are not homogeneous in terms of social and economic conditions. Those surrounding large urban centers (suburban rural areas) act different roles than those located in remote areas. This study aims to measure the level of inequalities in social determinants of health (SDH) between two categories of rural areas. We pose the following research hypotheses: (hypothesis H1) rural areas in Poland are relatively homogenous in the context of SDH and (hypothesis H2) SDH affects life expectancies of rural residents. Based on data covering all rural territories, we found that rural areas in Poland are homogenous in SDH. We also find important determinants of health rooted in a demographic structure—the feminization index and a ratio of the working-age population. On the other hand, we cannot confirm the influence of commonly used SDH-GDP and unemployment rate.


1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-84
Author(s):  
M. H. Ansari ◽  
P. S. Kelkar ◽  
M. Z. Hasan ◽  
R. Paramasivan

The population in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu State (India) faces potable water scarcity throughout the year in general and acute drinking water problems in lean periods of the year. To mitigate this problem, eleven reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants were installed in problem villages in the district. General performance of these eleven plants and in-depth evaluation of two plants was undertaken to focus attention on the physico-chemical quality of water at various stages of treatment, present status with respect to operation and management (O & M) financial implications and overall management in a rural situation. The study indicated that performance of these RO plants was satisfactory in removing high TDS, though the efficiency deteriorated with time. The average utilization of these RO plants since their installation was 46% as compared to the design capacity, mainly due to non-availability of power in rural areas, time lapsed in repairs of pumps, and non-availability of spares. The average capital cost/m3 and O & M cost/m3 of product water from these eleven plants works out to Rs. 27.40 and Rs. 44.50 respectively; when plants are utilized as per the design capacity. These costs are high and not affordable by the rural population. The RO plants were socially acceptable since the population was satisfied with the treated water quality.


Author(s):  
Y. Melba ◽  
K. R. Ashok ◽  
A. Vidhyavathi ◽  
S. Kalaivani ◽  
P. Vennila

Aims: To study the consumption pattern and dietary diversity among the farmers in rural areas. Study Design: Random Sampling. Place and Duration of Study: Primary data were collected from the Kanyakumari and Perambalur districts of marginal and small farmers between July and August 2020. Methodology: The study was conducted in Kanyakumari and Perambalur districts based on Tamil Nadu state planning commission report 2017.The Simpson index of dietary diversity was calculated to score the quantity and consumption of food items were consumed. The multiple linear regressions were used to understand the variation of socio-economic and demographic features of the household members. Results: The overall result of the SIDD score for Kanyakumari district was 0.73 and 0.72 for Perambalur district. When compared to Perambalur district, the results clearly showed that Kanyakumari district farmers had a higher dietary diversity. Because the food habits of Kanyakumari district farmers differ significantly from those of Perambalur district farmers, owing to a higher intake of nutritious foods in Kanyakumari district farmers. Conclusion: The factors like monthly income and education most influence the household dietary pattern and nutrition status of Kanyakumari district rather than the Perambalur district.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
R. RESHMA ◽  
M. RAMESH ◽  
JAYASEELAN STEPHEN ◽  
R. JAGANATHAN ◽  
◽  
...  

GIS Business ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 230-242
Author(s):  
M. Ganesan, K ◽  
K. Veerakumar ◽  
N. R Vembu ◽  
Dr. M. K Durgamani ◽  
Dr. Renuka

Job satisfaction is an important factor for employees working in formal and informal sector. The job is small or big, permanent or temporary, risky or non-risky, job satisfaction is important. It is the mental feeling which drives the employees to excel. Job satisfaction is a combination of psychological, physiological and environmental circumstances. A satisfied employee is a contented and happy human being. The labour turnover depends upon job satisfaction. Even highly paid employees quit the job when they are not satisfied with the job. Road transportation in Tamilnadu is growing day by day. Job stress in the road transportation is very high due to increase in number of vehicle playing on the road and heavy traffic. The drivers and conductors working in public transport corporation are suffering from high job stress. If drivers and conductors are not satisfied with their job which leads to mental stresses and affects the productivity and also creates accidents. In this present study the researchers made an attempt to study the level of job satisfaction among the drivers and conductors who are working in the Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC). The study reveals the expectations of drivers and conductors working in TNSTC with regards to the attributes like salary, promotion and fringe benefits etc., are satisfactory and not detrimental. 


Author(s):  
Kalaichelvi Sivaraman ◽  
Rengasamy Stalin

This research paper is the part of Research Project entitled “Impact of Elected Women Representatives in the Life and Livelihood of the Women in Rural Areas: With Special Reference to Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu” funded by University of Madras under UGC-UPE Scheme.The 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution of India were made by the government to strengthen the position of women and to create a local-level legal foundation for direct democracy for women in both rural and urban areas. The representation for women in local bodies through reservation policies amendment in Constitution of India has stimulated the political participation of women in rural areas. However, when it’s comes to the argument of whether the women reservation in Panchayati Raj helps or benefits to the life and livelihood development of women as a group? The answer is hypothetical because the studies related to the impact of women representatives of Panchayati Raj in the life and livelihood development of women was very less. Therefore, to fill the gap in existing literature, the present study was conducted among the rural women of Tiruvannamalai district to assess the impact of elected women representatives in the physical and financial and business development of the women in rural areas. The findings revealed that during the last five years because of the women representation in their village Panjayati Raj, the Physical Asset of the rural women were increased or developed moderately (55.8%) and Highly (23.4%) and the Financial and Business Asset of the rural women were increased or developed moderately (60.4%) and Highly (18.7%).


2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 567-576
Author(s):  
Ronald G. Munger ◽  
Rajarajeswari Kuppuswamy ◽  
Jyotsna Murthy ◽  
Kalpana Balakrishnan ◽  
Gurusamy Thangavel ◽  
...  

Background and Objective: The causal role of maternal nutrition in orofacial clefts is uncertain. We tested hypotheses that low maternal vitamin B12 and low folate status are each associated with an increased risk of isolated cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL±P) in a case–control study in Tamil Nadu state, India. Methods: Case-mothers of CL±P children (n = 47) and control-mothers of unaffected children (n = 50) were recruited an average of 1.4 years after birth of the index child and plasma vitamin B12, methylmalonic acid (MMA), total homocysteine (tHcy), and folate were measured at that time. Logistic regression analyses estimated associations between nutrient biomarkers and case–control status. Results: Odds ratios (ORs) contrasting biomarker levels showed associations between case-mothers and low versus high plasma vitamin B12 (OR = 2.48, 95% CI, 1.02-6.01) and high versus low plasma MMA, an indicator of poor B12 status (OR = 3.65 95% CI, 1.21-11.05). Case–control status was not consistently associated with folate or tHcy levels. Low vitamin B12 status, when defined by a combination of both plasma vitamin B12 and MMA levels, had an even stronger association with case-mothers (OR = 6.54, 95% CI, 1.33-32.09). Conclusions: Mothers of CL±P children in southern India were 6.5 times more likely to have poor vitamin B12 status, defined by multiple biomarkers, compared to control-mothers. Further studies in populations with diverse nutritional backgrounds are required to determine whether poor maternal vitamin B12 or folate levels or their interactions are causally related to CL±P.


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