The measure of a leader is the ability to transform a perceived adversary into an ally. The measure of a statesman is a leader who can join hands with an adversary in building a better tomorrow for the generations to come.

The Bangladesh Bank's notice to Grameen Bank to remove Prof. Yunus as its Managing Director has shocked the nation and seriously disturbed its millions of low income owners. The act has also become global news and is exposing the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) to much adverse commentary across the world, which has hardly served to enhance our image. From presidents to taxi drivers, questions are being asked about the nature of a government, which had hitherto been reasonably well regarded, both as to its economic performance and for its secular governance.

The global nature of this event was personally brought home to me at Delhi airport, on March 3, on my way back to Dhaka, as I handed in my passport to an immigration officer, a Bengali, who sadly enquired: "Why is your government seeking to remove your Nobel Laureate?" The global community is inexorably forming a perception of our government, which may be unfair, but which is unlikely to be erased by press conferences convened in Dhaka or indeed the outcome of our judicial process, and is likely to haunt this regime for the rest of its tenure. It appears that no computation of the costs and benefits to the government of this damaging conflict has been attempted.

So why has the government taken such an extreme step without even waiting for the outcome of the report of a Review Committee on Grameen Bank set up by the finance minister? The grounds for Yunus's removal did not relate to his efficiency as a manager or the quality of performance of the Bank under his stewardship in the last three decades. The grounds cited by Bangladesh Bank, related to the decision by the Board of Directors of Grameen Bank, the legally empowered body to superintend the organisation, to impose no age limit on the continuation of Yunus as its chief executive, that this "did not have the prior approval of the Bangladesh Bank."

Defying this outlook, Bangladesh began experiencing more sustained economic growth since the 1990s, which was accompanied by impressive poverty reduction. For example, in 1991-92, about 60% of the population was below the poverty line and around 50% was below the extreme poverty line. By 2005, those figures had gone down to 40% and 25% respectively.

The Bangladesh economy began experiencing structural changes in the 1990s following trade liberalisation and domestic market reforms. In urban areas, private sector growth and employment were spurred by rapid growth in garments exports while rural areas benefited from the deregulation of agriculture markets, boosting agricultural production. At the same time, relatively higher paying rural non-farm opportunities increased and the labour force slowly began to shift away from agriculture.

All in all, declining population growth rates, improved human capital, improved infrastructure, mainly in the form of more extensive road communications networks, and increased foreign remittance have been put forth as factors explaining Bangladesh's enhanced growth and declining poverty.

But what was the contribution of microfinance to this impressive performance? It is impossible to put an exact number but we can look at some published evidence to get a sense of where micro-credit is making a difference and where it may not be. The World Bank's 2008 Poverty Assessment has two findings in this context.

I am deeply saddened by the unprecedented earthquake and Tsunami in the Northeast of Japan which has brought severe destruction and suffering to the property and general public. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope all the families associated are safe and well and that the people of Japan overcome adversity once again as they always have.

I pray that you find the strength during this difficult time.

Muhammad Yunus

However, this novel concept did not fail to attract the attention and scrutiny of critics and there still is rampant debate regarding the effectiveness of Microcredit. Although, the concept and its models have been used all over the world with much success, it still garners significant criticism stating that in reality, it is actually charging the poor a much higher rate of interest than normal.

The criticisms reached a pinnacle last December when a Norwegian television documentary showcased that Professor Yunus illegally diverted Grameen money which was later clarified both by Grameen Bank and the Norwegian Government as investigations led to no evidence of misuse of funds. However, the documentary gathered vehement reactions from the local press and the government who left no stone unturned to criticise Mohammed Yunus and his endeavours.

Given the strength of retaliation micro-credit received, despite it being a globally accepted practice and making its founder win the Nobel Prize, it is not wrong to assume that the second revolutionary concept developed by Professor Yunus called Social Business, will attract similar kind of criticism

In 1974, the US secretary of state, Dr. Henry Kissinger, labeled Bangladesh as a "basket case." The image of Bangladesh, in post-independence era was degrading due to many social causes. However, a country in phase of early transition is expected to be inflicted with myriad issues. Professor Muhammad Yunus, by giving birth to Grameen Bank, pulled the country out of such international labeling in 1980s. Dr. Yunus, a brave economist, established the platform that has brought us prestige and honor to rise and live as important citizens of the world. After thirty years of planting the seeds, the Grameen Bank is now emulated all over the world, changing the courses of many lives around the globe. Muhammad Yunus is cherished with great dignity regardless of societies and communities. In 2006, he was awarded Nobel peace prize, the ultimate award the world bestows on its great human beings, and because of the honor the country earned was immeasurable. We proved that we are no more a "basket case."

Dr. Yunus earned the award for his vision and actions to eliminate poverty from the world. A selfless devotion of a lifetime encouraged by a dream of a society free from destitute. A man of great dignity, of whom former US President Clinton speaks of "a man who long ago should have won the Nobel Prize." In honor of the one of the greatest Bangladeshi, 14th January is celebrated as "Yunus Day" in Texas, Houston, declared in 2008. This is in addition to the many awards and honor Dr. Yunus earned around the globe. Why is so much admiration issued to one person? Because the world has seen so few, who are actually driving all the energy, asset and education for the goal of a society free of poverty around the world. So honest a vision, so difficult a task, made so easy by simply unifying the poor and destitute.