This is an important issue. What the NGOs are doing is commendable but it is a small effort which is possible for an individual or a group of individuals. Change of policy by the governments, local,state and central, has a wider impact on society. The NGOs have to change the mind-set of politicians/political parties who make the policies.
The right to information has made our democracy more transparent though one would have liked to have an open government - every decision taken by the government is on the internet and available for all citizens for scrutiny.
The decision of Madhya Pradesh government to give a lakh of rupees for every girl student when she graduates is changing the sex ratio in the state.
The decision taken during the time of late Shri Tinaikar to cement roads promoted better roads in Mumbai than before.
The decision of late Shri Ramachandran to provide mid-day meals to students has improved the attendance in schools and also improved the health of the children in Tamil Nadu.
I believe that NGOs can become the pioneers of social change when they think of the wider society and prod/persuade the political establishment to take action. Our rulers have to educated.
I also believe that NGOs should be 'the last-mile' link between the government and the people. Many government schemes are either not implemented properly and sometimes not even known to people to whom it was meant. This is a vast field where NGOs can work and this does not require a lot of funds but it requires only dedicated people.
A torch or a lamp can light up the darkness in a limited area but the sun can light up the world. NGOs have to expand their vision and reach. Social action has to expand to the political action.Political action is nothing but social action with a collective will.
( A response to the query n NGOs and the theory of change by Karmayog.)
June 21,2010.
***.
.
The right to information has made our democracy more transparent though one would have liked to have an open government - every decision taken by the government is on the internet and available for all citizens for scrutiny.
The decision of Madhya Pradesh government to give a lakh of rupees for every girl student when she graduates is changing the sex ratio in the state.
The decision taken during the time of late Shri Tinaikar to cement roads promoted better roads in Mumbai than before.
The decision of late Shri Ramachandran to provide mid-day meals to students has improved the attendance in schools and also improved the health of the children in Tamil Nadu.
I believe that NGOs can become the pioneers of social change when they think of the wider society and prod/persuade the political establishment to take action. Our rulers have to educated.
I also believe that NGOs should be 'the last-mile' link between the government and the people. Many government schemes are either not implemented properly and sometimes not even known to people to whom it was meant. This is a vast field where NGOs can work and this does not require a lot of funds but it requires only dedicated people.
A torch or a lamp can light up the darkness in a limited area but the sun can light up the world. NGOs have to expand their vision and reach. Social action has to expand to the political action.Political action is nothing but social action with a collective will.
( A response to the query n NGOs and the theory of change by Karmayog.)
June 21,2010.
***.
.
