Around the globe, poverty has held too many people in its grip for too long. While microfinance - small loans to impoverished individuals - initially attracted attention in the press, it didnt achieve the scale, scope, and profitability necessary to substantially combat poverty. All that changed with Vikram Akulas creation of SKS Microfinance. In this highly personal narr Around the globe, poverty has held too many people in its grip for too long. While microfinance - small loans to impoverished individuals - initially attracted attention in the press, it didnt achieve the scale, scope, and profitability necessary to substantially combat poverty. All that changed with Vikram Akulas creation of SKS Microfinance. In this highly personal narrative, A Fistful of Rice, Akula reveals how he pieced together the best of both philanthropy and (to his surprise) capitalism to help millions of Indias poor transition from paupers to customers to business owners. As thoughtful as Barack Obamas personal journey in Dreams from My Father, as harrowing as Paul Farmers battle against infectious disease in Mountains Beyond Mountains, and as gripping as Greg Mortensens fight for education in Three Cups of Tea, Akulas story shows how traditional business principles can be brought to bear on global problems in new ways. A Fistful of Rice offers not only inspiration but also lessons for anyone seeking to transform tenacity, creativity, and innovation into potent tools for fighting even the most seemingly intractable human burdens.