संवाद # 204: This South Indian private Hindu temple can be a MODEL for Ayodhya Ram Mandir

Dr. L. H. Manjunath was the Executive Director of Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (R.) (SKDRDP). He joined SKDRDP as the Executive Director in 2001, to take forward the SHG promotion and community organization works of SKDRDP. He developed SKDRDP into a unique institution for microfinance and micro insurance for the poor. He retired in 2024. At the time of his joining SKDRDP was restricted to one taluk. Realising SKDRDP’s potential, Dr. Manjunath prepared a growth plan which has not only made the institution sustainable but has encompassed 5.5 million families through 6,43,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) spread across the entire Karnataka. He has developed many modules for last mile delivery of products related to poor. The financial innovations have helped the farmers, the women and the unbanked to access the best financial facilities at their doorsteps. Since 2009 SKDRDP has run one of the biggest Business Correspondent/Banking Facilitator to six scheduled commercial banks in the country. The efforts of Dr.Manjunath have made poor families more specially, women, credit worthy and bankable. Currently he is engaged in mentoring MFI startups. Before joining SKDRDP, Dr. Manjunath worked in various capacities at the Syndicate Bank, served as the Director at the T. A. Pai Institute for Rural Development and worked with the Rural Development Self Employment Training Institutes (RUDSETI). Prior to this engagement, he served in the Department of Animal Husbandry as a Veterinary doctor for 3 years. Dr Manjunath holds a postgraduate in veterinary sciences (MVSc.).