The journey of Mind Sciences in India has been through the peaks and troughs. It is generally accepted that no other cultural tradition except Indian has given so much attention to the matters of mind and consciousness. Yet, recognition to the sciences studying Mind like Psychology as a scientific discipline came in very late. There were only a handful of Universities in India which had independent Departments of Psychology or Neuroscience at the time of India's independence. In the last few decades, Mind Sciences in the country have picked steam resulting in major discussions and interactions across disciplines like Psychology, Neuroscience and Computer Science. This book examines the expanding horizons of the Mind Sciences.

The journey of Mind Sciences in India has been through the peaks and troughs. It is generally accepted that no other cultural tradition except Indian has given so much attention to the matters of mind and consciousness. Yet, recognition to the sciences studying mind like psychology as a scientific discipline came in very late. There were only a handful of universities in India which had independent departments of psychology or neuroscience at the time of India's independence. In the last few decades, mind sciences in the country have picked up steam resulting in major discussions and interactions across disciplines like psychology, neuroscience and computer science. This book examines the expanding horizons of the mind sciences.

"Microfinance in India: State of the Sector Report 2008" is a part of a series of annual reports on the microfinance sector in India which seeks to document developments, clarify issues, publicise studies, stimulate research, identify policy choices, generate understanding and enhance support for the sector. It is a comprehensive one-stop document that provides the latest data and a holistic view of the sector, combines analysis and description and integrates a variety of topics hitherto treated separately. The book highlights recent developments in Self Help Groups (SHGs) and SHG Bank Linkage Programme (SBLPs), and focuses on microfinance with regard to the investment scenario in India. It also deals with the burgeoning field of urban microfinance, developments in micro-insurance, and the impact of new technologies on the microfinance sector. Additionally, it recognises the high demands which the state makes on microfinance institutions and discusses the need and relevance of new policy regulations. Complementing these analyses, statistical annexes provide essential data on the sector, strengthening its utility as a reference document. It contains extensive original material, and yet draws widely on the findings of other recent studies and reports, thereby emerging as a complete, detailed analysis of the status and the future of the microfinance sector in India.