Clearing the air on Pakistani Sikhs

[53fd]

 

[53fd]

Doctor Mimphal Singh (on the left):

 

[53fd]

Sikh businessman:

 

[Doctor09]

 

[53fd]

Mr. Ramesh Singh Arora:

I am a “microfinance/micro credit specialist and a technical advisor on capacity building” with more than eleven years of extensive experience with various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). My specialization encompasses implementation and management of sustainable and bankable Microfinance Programs, Human and Institutional Development, Risk Management, Portfolio Analysis, Trend Analysis, Financial Analysis, and Monitoring and Evaluation.
During past eleven years, I have worked with the Khushhal Pakistan Fund (KPF), Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund-Pakistan (PPAF) and the Rural Support Programmes-Pakistan (RSPs). I have been involved in building the human and institutional capacities of various organizations and microfinance institutes to effectively and efficiently run their operations particularly in the fields of microfinance, infrastructure, trainings & capacity building initiatives. While working with donor agencies for last six years I was (have been) responsible for caring out and facilitating strategic reviews and analysis of partner organizations and in the response to the outcomes of exercise providing technical backstopping to partner organizations to build their capacitates, to make them able to plan, manage and run credit portfolios with reference to financial and operational self-sufficiency. Whereas, at the RSPs, I was responsible for coordinating and implementing microfinance programs in various districts of Pakistan and also for the help in designing and implementation of microfinance databases/MIS in different capacities.
Crux of my whole experience at development sector was to bring ‘prosperity through behavior change’ at grass roots level through various activities particularly income generating activities, microfinance, enterprise development programs with special focus of poor and neglected section of the society (women & children). Other one to ‘Break down the Dependency Syndrome’ of poor and destitute through Participatory Rural Development to achieve improved socio-economic conditions of poor masses of Pakistan,
Professional Experience
November, 2008 – to date
MOJAZ Foundation, Narowal, Pakistan
Chief Executive
MOJAZ Foundation is established in March, 2008 as a specialized Micro Finance Institution (MFI). The primary purpose and the basic crosscutting theme of the organization is Sustainable Economic Development through the provision of financial and non-financial services to the poor households in the targeted markets. In line with this goal, organization is working at grass roots level in rural and semi urban areas of Narowal & Sialkot districts during the initial years of its establishment. MOJAZ believes in development of a microfinance model that is decentralized, cost-effective, and with a strong focus on financial self-sufficiency through market based pricing. MOJAZ Foundation is established by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) as 1st Linkage Partner Organization under the Microfinance Innovation & Outreach Programme (MIOP) component of International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).
Be directly responsible for the results of the new institution and the legal representative of the institution;
Report regularly to the Board of Directors;
Provide clear leadership and direction to the organization, by implementing the business and action plans and achieving them based on strategic planning approved by the board;
Ensure that all aspects of the company's activities obtain maximum profits commensurate with the best interest of donors, customers, employees, and the other stakeholders;
Recruit, retain and develop the talent needed to accomplish high performance standards;
Solicit donations from private and corporate sources;
Cultivate major donors by creating stronger relationships, acknowledging donors support, and providing opportunities for participation;
Coordinate fundraising efforts to cover operating expenses and further capitalize the revolving loan fund;
Create and enhance relationships with financial institutions to increase their financial support of Project Enterprise and provide banking opportunities for clients;
Develop and steward the Board of Directors and its committees, including recruiting new board members;
Oversee materials preparation for quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors and the executive committee;
Maintain productive relationships with directors and officers.
Khushhal Pakistan Fund, Pakistan (KPF), Islamabad, Pakistan
General Manager - Human and Institutional Development
Khushhal Pakistan Fund is an independent, autonomous private sector organization with a mandate from Government of Pakistan (GoP)-Ministry of Finance (MoF) to benefit the poor through civil society sector by partnering with small and medium institutions, developing their capacities & systems, creating a blend of professionalism and volunteerism to the advantage of the poor and then stimulating their growth to mainstream them with the development. KPF represents the community driven development model and aims to focus on increase in income of poor households and to uplift socio economic standards of people.
While heading the Human & Institutional Development Unit at Khushhal Pakistan Fund (KPF), I am managing successfully livelihood improvement portfolio of the KPF which covers social mobilization & development side of the work that includes: community mobilization, economic opportunity, trainings and institutional development both of the KPF Partner Organizations (POs) and local institutions. The partner organizations include organizations working in Microfinance, Community Physical Infrastructure. POs working on CPI projects undertake water supply and sanitation, roads, bridges, culverts and water storage schemes. The issues addressed were: empowerment through inclusion, cohesion and accountability as well as social protection for vulnerable segments of the society (women, children, disabled and voiceless). As per the mandate of KPF to reward the villages through infrastructure schemes and community investment fund to meet their needs of microfinance once village declared as “Open Defecation Free” (ODF). HID unit plays a vital role to achieve end objective of the KPF ‘to uplift socio-economic conditions of people’ by motivating them to utilize their resources, strengths, capabilities through capacity building, social mobilization and institutional development tools. Operational brief of the unit is to ensure ‘Behavior change’ and to Break down the Dependency Syndrome’ of poor and destitute through Participatory Rural Development to achieve improved socio-economic conditions of poor masses of Pakistan.
July, 2007 – to March, 2008
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Pakistan (PPAF), Islamabad, Pakistan
Manager - Human and Institutional Development
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund is an apex organization created and funded by the World Bank, Govt. of Pakistan that helps NGOs, MFIs, RSPs, and the private sector in implementing development programs that aim are reducing poverty and increasing economic opportunities for the poor through the provision of microfinance, infrastructure, and human and institutional development.
Responsibilities:
Facilitate “Credit & Enterprise Development Unit” to identify the potential Partner Organizations (POs) through well structured appraisal system for on lending microcredit loans at community level
Identify Gaps in microfinance operations of POs and accordingly chalk out a strategy to address the issues
Frequent monitoring visits of POs to provide technical backstopping to build the capacity for better execution of PPAF supported interventions
Being a master trainer in microfinance, arrange and facilitate training sessions on microfinance operations as per CGAP standards.
As Institutional Development/ microfinance specialist provide guidance to MFIs to strategic issues to achieve high growth;
Conduct strategic plan to identify strengths , weaknesses, opportunities and threats of MFIs and accordingly provide strategic directions to remain valid in their context;
Develop Operational manual (microfinance, HR, Admin, Trainings) to facilitate POs to institutionalize their processes
Frequent field visit across the country (four provinces, including AJK) to the POs to provide timely support
Manage Quality Management Systems (ISO) certification of HID Unit and
Facilitate POs to develop “Standard Operating Procedure” (SOPs) in the context of microfinance program.
May 2003 – June, 2007
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Pakistan (PPAF), Islamabad, Pakistan
Senior Management Executive- Human and Institutional Development
Responsibilities:
Capacity assessment of potential Partner Organizations-POs (organizational and financial appraisal);
Analysis of the relationship between capacity building funding and microfinance;
Analysis of financial & operational self-sufficiency of Pos microfinance programs;
Conduct microfinance trainings for professional staff of Partner NGOS and MFIs;
Performance evaluation of Pos & Future forecasting for capacity building funding;
Development of Financial Proposals;
Portfolio Management of PPAF Partner Organizations across Pakistan
Preparation of Monthly, Quarterly, & Annual Reports; and
Preparation of various analyses and reports for senior management;
Management Representative – Quality Management Systems based on ISO 9001:2000
Responsible for maintaining ISO 9001:2000 based QMS, which includes carrying out internal audits, conducting management review meetings, maintaining customer complaints log, overseeing corrective and preventive actions, liaison with certification bodies, consultants, and trainers etc.
August 1998 – May 2003
Punjab Rural Support Programme, Pakistan (PRSP), Head-Office, Lahore, Pakistan
Programme Officer-Rural Credit & Enterprise Development
Punjab Rural Support Programme (PRSP) is a Non-Governmental Organization operational in the 20 districts of Punjab Province. The ultimate objective of PRSP is to alleviate poverty in the rural areas of Pakistan through participatory approach and by offering a holistic package to the rural poor.
Responsibilities:
Financial & Portfolio Analysis of Micro-Finance activities of PRSP;
Developing Performance Based Budgets;
Trend Analysis of Future Credit & Recovery patterns;
Overall monitoring of Credit activities;
Development of Financial Proposals;
Maintenance & establishment of computerized MIS;
Preparation of Monthly, Quarterly, & Annual Credit Reports;
Preparation of various analyses reports for senior management;
Training of Regional Professional in Micro-finance and its related activities/analysis;
Review of credit policies and procedures;
Liaison with external auditors to conduct annual audit;
Review and approval of credit applications; and
Liaison with different Commercial Banks in order to facilitate the office in its financial matters.
Nov-1997– July-1998
National Rural Support Programme, Pakistan (NRSP), Vehari and Lodhran Region, Pakistan
Regional Accountant-Finance & Credit (RA-F&C)
National Rural Support Programme is an apex organization registered under the NGO Act of 1984. It is considered to be the largest NGO of Pakistan and is operational in all the four provinces as well as Azad Jammu & Kashmir and 27 districts of Pakistan. The main objective of NRSP is to alleviate poverty in the rural areas of Pakistan.
Responsibilities:
Monitoring of all the credit activities at regional level;
Maintenance of computerized MIS;
Preparation of Monthly, Quarterly, & Annual Credit Reports;
Preparation of various analyses reports as required by the Management or Head Office;
Liaison with external auditors to conduct the regional annual audit; and
Reviewing and approval of regional credit applications.

Education
Master in Business Administration
Specialization: Finance.

Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)

Extra Qualifications and Trainings
Extra Qualification
Three weeks BOULDER Microfinance Training Program, International Training Center, International Labor Organization (ILO), Turin, Italy. (July 2006).
Trainings Conducted
Training programs on Financial Analysis/Management for PPAF partner organizations and different other MFIs
Training programs on Delinquency Management & Interest Rate Settings for PPAF partner organizations and different other MFIs
Training programs on Operational Risk Management for PPAF partner organizations and different other MFIs
Training programs on Product Development for PPAF partner organizations and different other MFIs
Training programs on Borrower Appraisal Techniques for PPAF partner organizations and different other MFIs
Several Orientation Training Workshops conducted for junior professional program of PPAF/interns
Training programs on Financial Planning and Budgeting for PPAF partner organizations and different other MFIs
Training programs on Accounting Essentials for PPAF partner organizations and different other MFIs
Trainings Attended
Eight-day training on Financial Education for the Poor (TOT) conducted by Microfinance Opportunities, Islamabad Pakistan. (April 2007)
Eight-day training on Product Development (TOT) conducted by Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (C-GAP-World Bank), Islamabad Pakistan. (May 2005)
Five-day training on Operational Risk Management (TOT)conducted by Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (C-GAP-World Bank), Islamabad Pakistan. (July 2004)
Five-day training on Financial Analysis (TOT) conducted by Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (C-GAP-World Bank), Islamabad Pakistan. (May 2004)
Five-day training on Training of Trainers (TOT) on Delinquency Management & Interest Rate Settingsconducted by Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (C-GAP-World Bank), Islamabad Pakistan. (December 2003)
Twelve-day training on Institutional Development & Organizational Strengthening conducted by Management Development Foundation-Netherlands, Islamabad Pakistan. (September 2003).
Three -day training on Micro credit Methodologies organized by Pakistan Micro Finance Network, Islamabad, Pakistan. (February 2003)
Three-day training on Loan Portfolio Management organized by Micro Finance Group, Islamabad, Pakistan. (August 2000)
Four-day training on various tools used in Planning Monitoring & Evaluation organized by PRSP; Islamabad, Pakistan. (June 2000)
Two-day training on the Cost-Benefit Analysis organized by the Enterprise & Development Consultants, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Nine-day training on Management of Micro-Finance Programme organized by Institute of Rural Management-NRSP, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Business Planning & Financial Modeling.
Market Research & new product development for MFIs.
Various trainings on Handling & Management of the computerized MIS.
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS CARRIED OUT
Organized three Citi-PPAF Micro Entrepreneurship Awards from PPAF platform with the collaboration of Citigroup Foundation.
Developed Manual for Internship Training Program
Developed Training Manual of Borrower Appraisal Techniques.
Undertook analysis of PRSP Micro-Credit Program pertaining to the future returns and expenses
Reviewed sustainability projections of PPAF partner organizations
Reviewed financial & operational self-sufficiency for PPAF partner organizations working in microfinance sector
Developed Performance Based Budgets for PRSP
Developed and managed computerized Micro Credit MIS which is being implemented in 55 field offices of PRSP
Carried out exercise to calculate the per Rupee cost on PRSP’s loan disbursements
Carried out cash-flow analysis of PRSP’s microfinance program
personal information:
Date of Birth: October 11th, 1974
Nationality: Pakistani
Place of Birth: Nankana Sahib (Punjab, Pakistan)
Marital Status: Married
Language: English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Pushto & Gurmukhi (Scripture)
Address: MOJAZ Foundation-Opposite DCO House, Narowal, Pakistan.

Farz Foundation | An integrated approach of microfinance | A Project of PIIMF

 

[53fd]

Indianexpress.com : comments : India rejected separate Sikh Marriage Act which Pak enacted 4 yrs ago

 

[SQ8]

Not to mention the Bara Market of Peshawar(supposedly the most intolerant part of the country).. which has lots of Sikh Businesses...nobody bothers them...nobody cares if they are Sikh or not.
The problem to minorities in Pakistan is NOT from the majority..Its from a minority of extremist intolerant animals who are mistakenly counted with the Majority. .they belong to a religion called extremism.

 

[Kalyugi Mirza]

Example number 1 :

wt was wrong in that...This is wt he supposed to do ..Love your country and do everything for country..

 

[Devil Soul]

wt was wrong in that...This is wt he supposed to do ..Love your country and do everything for country..

Nothing wrong the respected member just contributed in helping " CLEARING THE AIR ON PAKISTANIS SIKHS"

 

[Respect4Respect01]

one of my Indian Sikh friend hates indian because of that operation, and he hates all Hindus too, so stop making stupid threads.

 

[Kalyugi Mirza]

Nothing wrong the respected member just contributed in helping " CLEARING THE AIR ON PAKISTANIS SIKHS"

Oho ok..

 

[Tangent]

Nothing wrong the respected member just contributed in helping " CLEARING THE AIR ON PAKISTANIS SIKHS"

...FKPcamper ne dukhti nabj par haath rakh diya...

 

[livingdead]

FKPCamper thanks for sharing your personal experience, but please refrain from making general statement extrapolating that. Most people here will rather go by statistics/media report.

 

[rubyjackass]

First of all thanks FKPCamper for starting this thread. What separates our countries most is perception, everything else is next. These kind of threads will help us update them at least in a limited number of readers.

3) I feel minorities (& their places of worship) in Pakistan are given better protection than the minorities in India, & there is less bias of LEA against minorities in Pakistan. The security problems Muslims in Pakistan have faced are greater than what minorities in Pakistan have faced.

4) In Pakistan, some religious minorities (especially poor people) might want to keep their distance from the majority Muslims. In India, it is similar as well to an extent. There is a better understanding of minorities in India though, than of minorities in Pakistan, partly because minorities in Pakistan like to keep their distance from the majority, & live peacefully. There are poor minority neighborhoods in both Pakistan & India. But in Pakistan, the poor people live in poor neighborhoods, regardless of religion. Minorities never manage to have problems finding housing in Pakistan based on their religions, which even rich minority people in India do, just because of their religion.

5) In India, while there is a general acceptance of diversity, there is also a "secular Indian-ness" that is expected on some levels. The overly religious people in India can sometimes be perceived wrongly in India, & people might not think they are patriotic enough. In Pakistan, such diversity is not accepted (unless you're in Karachi, or Islamabad to a lesser extent), so if minorities want to remain "closed off" from the majority in Pakistan, they are free to do so peacefully.

@bilal: I agree that minorities in Pakistan also are progressing in all walks of life. However high profile examples are, you must admit, rare(like the one Supreme Court Justice). And the limitation on only muslims can be President is not a big deal, with 2% population of the largest minority the rule is of no consequence. Whatever allegations of theocracy are laid against Pakistan because of this are meaningless and are only meant for malice. So on paper Pakistan is not a theocracy, and guarantees all freedoms to all minorities.
But the Hudood ordinances are the ones that make Pakistan more of a theocracy. You guys got a separate country for the sake of your religion. Can you stop being insecure at least now?

Your comment about protecting religious places is a perfectly valid shot. India has Babri and Golden Temple. There is no such well known parallel in Pakistan. But you point out that there is no bias in Pakistan based on the fact that Muslims get attacked more today. This is unfair. Here you should only consider attacks that are not due to terrorism. There is a plenty of evidence that minorities are unfairly targeted by Hudood laws and extortion rings. The terrorism in Pakistan is an unprecedented phenomenon. To count its victims to balance of minority casualties is not right. I should point out here that even in the terrorist attacks, at least a few of them are targeted towards minorities; for example those against shia and sufi shrines.

Your 4th point is that minorities in Pakistan want to keep their distance from majority. In countries like ours this is a common phenomenon, people of same religion tend to stay in communities, people of same caste tend to stay in communities. Since things like food habits and customs play a big role in our lives, this is understandable. But you seem to be basing your argument that in India even rich minorities dont get housing on just a couple of cases. Ironically this would not even be in the news if those people were not rich and film personalities. I am not saying there is no bias. It is as significant as or as non-significant as it is in Pakistan. Ohh and the issue of housing could be on a simple matter like the house owner does not want to rent it to non-vegetarians.

You are also right that religious people are perceived wrongly. I would say 'differently' is the word. People take a girl in a burqa as out-of-place as a topless South Indian brahmin in a lungi and a set of beads around his neck. But we have both the girl in the burqa and Veena Malik(for now) on the streets. But please be fair, if the job is that of a receptionist, we will prefer Veena Malik any day.

Again people in my village would rather have thee burqa girl walking on the road than seeing Veena Malik in skimpy clothes. This is just like the situation you described about Karachi vs rest of Pakistan. Only India has lesser area under the conservative rest.

We do not suspect any of our citizens regardless of religion to be a spy or something.

On the lighter side, come on mann, in your country even the President is accused of being an Indian spy.

 

[FKPcamper]

one of my Indian Sikh friend hates indian because of that operation, and he hates all Hindus too, so stop making stupid threads.

i could choose to reply to this with "my pak sikh wife and her family hate pakistanis because of the intolerance shown towards them.. and they hate all muslims"

but i wont... we all have "friends" who conveniently support the point we want to make.. lets not stoop to that level

---------- Post added at 08:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:47 AM ----------

FKPCamper thanks for sharing your personal experience, but please refrain from making general statement extrapolating that. Most people here will rather go by statistics/media report.

first off, didnt make a statement. it clearly states that i am offering an opinion. statistics have their place in society but are easily malleable... personal experiences do help in that sense