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Paytm Launches Wi-Fi Pilot in India; Enables Free Internet for a Limited Duration
Underlining its digital-first approach, Paytm, India’s largest mobile payments and commerce platform, has announced the launch of its ambitious pilot project to enable seamless internet connectivity for users. Under this initiative, Paytm is enabling limited-duration free Wi-Fi for its users in partnership with a licensed ISP. The first such Wi-Fi initiative is already underway near the Noida-18 metro station in partnership with a licensed ISP.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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India’s Microfinance Industry Puts Crisis Behind It, Thanks to Regulations, Diligent Borrowers
The aroma of flaming gingelly oil wafted through the air as 16 women employees of Thrissurbased Global Chips & Foods braced themselves for another long day at work. A black wooden board, hung on a recently white-washed wall, listed out their day's chores: 20 kilograms of tapioca chips and 20 kgs potato chips.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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The Entire World Has 2 Weeks to Switch Over to a New Oral Polio Vaccine. Here’s Why.
The world is closer than ever to eradicating polio, the horrible disease that inflicts paralysis on its primarily young victims. It's not far-fetched to say that very soon the world will see its last polio case.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Tags
- vaccines
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Philippines’ Tax Bureau Taps Mobile Payment for Tax Collection
The Philippines' Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has partnered with Globe Telecom's GCash mobile money service for its tax collection effort.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- fintech, infrastructure
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Namibia’s First School of Pharmacy: From Creation to Graduation
On April 24, 2015, the first class of students graduated from the B.Pharm program at the University of Namibia (UNAM)–the first and only pharmacy degree program in the country. With the help of the USAID-funded SIAPS program, the Namibian Ministry of Health and Human Services was able to conceive, establish, and encourage enrollment in the B.Pharm degree. The graduation of the country’s first locally educated pharmacists constitutes a major step forward in alleviating the country’s dire shortage of pharmacy staff and helping to meet the health care needs of the largely underserved Namibian population.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Social Entrepreneurs Lack Diversity in Leadership Teams
As social entrepreneurship has surged as a field dedicated to transforming inequities through the power of inclusion, what's emerged is a profound culture of exclusion.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
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Janalakshmi, The Largest Microfinance Institution in India, Announces $210M Equity Round
Janalakshmi Financial Services Limited (“Janalakshmi”) today announced a $150 million (INR 10 billion) round of primary equity financing led by global private investment firm TPG. In addition, secondary transactions aggregating $60 million (INR 4 billion) will provide partial exits to existing investors.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
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MasterCard Drives New P2P Solution in Bangladesh
In a quartet joining forces to bring mobile cross-border payments to 22 million Bangladeshis, MasterCard is linking up with Western Union, bKash and BRAC bank.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- fintech, remittances
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