"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
The progress of a country is mainly determined by the quality of life of its people. Even though India ranks as the fifth largest economy in the world, marginalised communities do not always reap the benefits. There is still an uneven distribution of resources both economically and in terms of service aspects. The Government of India implements various programmes to address this matter. However, in a country as diverse as India, the implementation of these programmes come with its fair share of challenges. Therefore, the country needs collective efforts to achieve its developmental goals. It is here that the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) come into play.
Becoming a developed country is a complex and long-term process and it cannot be achieved without investing in the below areas.
- Education
- Healthcare
- Nutrition
The government collaborates with NGOs to ensure the successful implementation of all developmental programmes in the country. They address the root cause of inequalities, identify socio-economic and educational challenges and take actions to bring a positive change in society.
Education
Education is the cornerstone of the progress of the country. Many children, especially after the pandemic, have dropped out of school, thus widening the educational gap. NGOs bridge this gap by ensuring that children belonging to disadvantaged communities are receiving proper education. In doing so, they protect children from social evils, such as child labour, early marriage, etc.
Quality education is the right of children. Every child should receive equal opportunities to pursue the career they dream of, irrespective of their caste, religion, gender, etc. NGOs serve as enablers; through their partnership with the government and/or other stakeholders, they equip children with knowledge and skills for their personal and professional growth. Education breaks the cycle of poverty by providing better employment opportunities and empowering them to live a higher quality of life.
Healthcare
In a world where health is heavily commercialised, people from disadvantaged backgrounds find it difficult to afford essential healthcare. They withdraw from taking checkups and treatments out of fear of incurring medical debts. To them, every disease sounds like a terminal disease. Several NGOs work on various aspects of healthcare, right from improving their access to basic health care to running awareness programmes and educating people about healthy lifestyle and making informed decisions for their well-being. They conduct free health campaigns, medical check-ups and vaccinations to improve the lives of people, particularly those who are struggling financially. Providing healthcare to all, even in remote regions is a major challenge. Many NGOs operate mobile clinics equipped with medical staff and supplies for connecting those people with medical professionals to provide necessary services.
Nutrition
Another serious threat that can hinder the development of a country is malnutrition. In India, the problem is undernutrition, especially in children. There are many NGOs that are promoting nutrition by implementing programmes such as the Mid-Day Meal Programme (PM POSHAN Abhiyaan) and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. Some of these programmes come with additional advantages. In the case of the mid-day meal, for instance, it also acts as an incentive for children to come to school and enhances school enrolment, attendance and retention.
Beyond the aforementioned areas, there exist additional facets in which NGOs play a significant role that influence the country's advancement.
Women Empowerment
Gender stereotypes, sexual offences, gender-oriented taboos, domestic violence and abuse are shadows that veil the progress of the country. No country can be developed if its women are not receiving equal opportunities for leading a better life. Many NGOs work to empower women. The first step towards empowering women is educating them. Education transforms their lives as they receive better job opportunities, which ultimately leads to financial independence. In addition, addressing the health issues of women is necessary because the destiny of future generations is determined by the health of women. When pregnant women do not receive enough nutrients, they have children with low birth weight due to poor maternal health. In
many low-income families, women are often the last to eat since their focus is on feeding the rest of the family members. Several NGOs conduct educational campaigns and awareness programmes to improve women’s health.
Environmental Conservation
India’s biodiversity has a huge potential to help it become a developed country. The government in collaboration with NGOs educates the public about the importance of environmental conservation. Some NGOs conduct research to better understand and protect India’s unique flora and fauna. They carry out afforestation and reforestation programmes to restore the degraded ecosystem.
Disaster Relief
NGOs play a major role in disaster management. During times of calamities, NGOs are the first who come for humanitarian assistance. They distribute relief materials, organise health camps and arrange temporary shelters for sufferers. They collect data and study the extent of damage in order to formulate and implement relief activities. NGOs fight for the protection of fragile regions by educating the public about environmental disasters that might occur as a result of misaligned developmental activities.
In essence, NGOs act as a catalyst to achieve India’s vision of becoming a developed country by 2047 which marks the centenary of independence. They educate people about the importance of collective actions to achieve goals and thus encouraging them to bring a valuable contribution to the table. By donating to NGOs, each individual is leading the nation on its path to progress.