The Kalanjiam programme is a unique credit programme that goes beyond the narrow "financial delivery" approach. As this article explains, initiatives under this programme are flexible and tailored to the needs of the poor; the attempt is also to address existing "leakages" in the earlier system of moneylending so as to improve the borrowing capability of the poor. Working through self-help groups, the kalanjiam way also seeks to instil democracy by encouraging a grassroots leadership to emerge and ensuring the community ownership of public works.
