annual report1-final.qxd - Overseas Indian

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
of philanthropy. He tried to compare the non-
Indian philanthropists’ work with that of Indian
American philanthropists and said both of them
focused on education, and religion. If 0.1 percent of
household income was spent for philanthropic
work by the diasporic community, it would amount
to Rs. 100 crore, he pointed out. Money was only
one aspect but the frustration was about the huge
documentation that FCRA still requires. Most of the
money was intended to be spent on primary education
and health. In terms of religion, lots of money
was spent on repair of temples and mosques but
one needed to try and persuade them to change the
content towards health and education.
Bhami Chennoy, Editor of Catalyst, said that there
were all kinds of NGOs, good and bad. Nowadays,
he said, there was a perception that to be associated
with NGOs meant that one is with bad people.
There was need for a paradigm shift. In fact, NGOs
should be managed like profit organisations. These
need fundamental research in identifying the critical
factors and provide support in education, energy,
water, food security, governance. He talked
about developing NGO performance indicators
and engaging the diaspora by building a philanthropy
market place.
“How can a sponsor pick up the information
For instance, how can a child (needy) be chosen if
someone wants to pay for his education Issue is,
how do we bring them together”
Chennoy said that basic things like choice, convenience
and confidence for the philanthropists
should be provided. He said one needed to think
of philanthropy exchange, non-profit database,
non-profit self-regulation and also ratings that
could be authentically provided.
Rajish Lutchman from South Africa provided a
brief note on a successful philanthropic model that
had been implemented. There was phenomenal
contribution made by overseas Indians, he said. In
line with Swami Dayanand’s teachings, these philanthropic
activities were organised for aged, disabled
and children. In addition, there were several
community programmes, HIV/AIDS support programmes
and meal donor clubs.
Ingrid Srinath, in her presentation, mentioned
that although it was proclaimed by one and all that
every child should go to school, no child should go
hungry and everybody should be healthy, yet after
57 years of Indian Independence, the problem persisted.
She effectively articulated the bright and
dark side of India in terms of rich and poor, growing
disparity, gender discrimination etc. She also
narrated case studies from CRY experiences in
Uttar Pradesh. She talked about how growth without
justice was unsustainable.
She spoke about how secularism and non-violence
should form part of any philanthropic or voluntary
work. She also highlighted CRY activities
for the betterment of children.
J.S. Mishra, Joint Secretary, MHA, explained
about the fundamental premises of FCRA and its
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