Role of NGOs in a countries development
NGO is an organization of a group of individuals who volunteers their services for the achievement of society in a larger goal in the interest of the general public. It is not under the control of any government body and is a nonprofit venture for improving the welfare of citizens. NGOs act as a middle man between society and the government assessing the needs of the individual. They do command respect at the global level as it seeks assistance in not only the financial sector but also in the vast field of economic, social, and political structure.
A brief history of NGOs around the globe
Somewhere in the 18th and 19th century people started forming many organizations and associations and these bodies were formed for those people who wanted to give their services in more organised and structured manner. This help and support system was quick and Self-wished activity. At the end of World War Two, the term non-governmental organization was coined by the united nations, and henceforth its concept was popularised. but the roots are far deeper as even before the onset of World War second voluntary groups were working at a global level for the betterment of citizens like the Sufi Tariqahas, Catholic orders, and other such religious and scientific societies. Even as late as the 13th-century Chinese affiliates worked for the humanitarian purpose along the river.
Tracing the origin of NGOs in India
The term NGO gained currency much later in the country but the idea around which its concept revolves has been followed and is practiced for many centuries. India is a land of religion where people deeply believe in their karma and ethical notions. Good deeds follow Nobel results and help to build a supportive community. Dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries when people become more organized wanted to work in a Systematized manner and hence got into groups that offer voluntary help to the sufferers as it is rightly said by Mother Teresa charity isn’t about pity it it is about love.NGO came together to abolish the deeply rooted system of Sati that was rampant at those times and work towards abolishing untouchability casteism and other social evils like child marriage. By the 20th century, many people started associating themselves with NGOs like the servant of India which worked on the gandhian principle later. NGOs found a place in India five years plan to work for the ruler sector the downtrodden towards eradicating illiteracy and fighting deadly diseases. In a developing country like India, international regulatory bodies like WHO, UNICEF, UNO, etc also come up and Work vociferously by spreading awareness.
Role of NGOs in Indian democracy
India has nearly 3.4 million non-governmental organizations (NGOs), working in a variety of fields ranging from disaster relief to advocacy for marginalized and disadvantaged communities. There the role and responsibilities are immense in developing countries like India, which can be listed as follows:
Bridging The Gap: NGOs endeavor to plug gaps in the government’s programs and reach out to sections of people often -19 crisis. Also, they are engaged in diverse activities, relating to human and labor rights, gender issues, healthcare, environment, education, legal aid, and even research.
Role of an Enabler: Community-level outfits and self-help groups are critical for bringing any change in the ground. In the past, such grassroots organizations have been enabled by collaborations with bigger NGOs and research agencies that have access to foreign funding.
Acting as a Pressure Group: There are political NGOs that mobilize public opinion against the government’s policies and actions. To the extent such NGOs can educate the public and put pressure on public policy, they act as important pressure groups in a Democracy. They also mobilize and organize the poor to demand quality service and impose a community system to accountability on the performance of grassroots government functionaries.
Role in Participative Governance: Many civil society initiatives have contributed to some of the path-breaking laws in the country, including the Environmental Protection Act-1986, Right to Education Act-2009, Forest Rights Act-2006, and Right to Information Act-2005
Acting as a Social Mediator: The social inter-mediation is an intervention of different levels of society by various agents to change social and behavioral attitudes within the prevailing social environment for achieving desired results of change in society. In the Indian context wherein people are still steeped in superstition, faith, belief, and custom, NGOs act as catalysts and create awareness among people.
Conclusion
NGOs have always been at the forefront taking accountability by offering multiple development solutions. Development is strengthened when NGOs especially collaborate with governments and markets. These organizations apart from acting as a mediator between the society and government, lend a helping hand by acting as a think tank improvising and offering creative solutions. Efficient research work is also carried out that improves the development activities further. NGOs also obtained funds from the national and foreign agencies like that keeps them financially stable and linked to the other openings. Not just during the pandemic but NGOs have played a critical role in times of all disasters and unforeseen emergencies by elevating the hardships faced by the citizens. Therefore NGOs have always maintained a leading role in any countries development believing firmly in the saying No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted, by Edmund Burke
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