A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a non-profit group that functions independently of any government. NGOs, sometimes called civil societies, are organized on community, national and international levels to serve a social or political goal such as humanitarian causes or the environment. NGOs exist for a variety of purposes, usually to further the political or social goals of their members. Examples include improving the state of the natural environment, encouraging the observance of human rights, improving the welfare of the disadvantaged, or representing a corporate agenda. An NGO Board usually has 10 to 15 members, with a President, a Treasurer and other positions designated to specific tasks/issues related to the NGO’s programmes areas. The member positions could be rotating and/or renewable. While “NGO” has various interpretations, the term is generally accepted to include non-profit, private organizations that operate outside of government control. Some NGOs rely primarily on volunteers, while others support a paid staff. The World Bank identifies two broad groups of NGOs: Operational NGOs, which focus on the design and implementation of development projects and Advocacy NGOs, which defend or promote a specific cause and seek to influence public policy. Some NGOs may fall under both categories simultaneously. NGOs rely on a variety of sources for funding, including membership dues, private donations, the sale of goods and services, grants. Despite their independence from governments, some NGOs rely heavily on government funding. Large NGOs may have budgets in the millions or billions of dollars. There are various types of NGOs as (i) INGO: An international NGO. For example, the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe is comprised of more than 300 participating INGOs. (ii) GONGO: This means government-organized NGO, often derogatory. Foreign Policy describes GONGOs as a government-backed NGOs set up to advocate on the behalf of a repressive regime in the international arena. (iii) QUANGO: Chiefly a British term, often derogatory. A quango is a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization that relies on public funding. Its senior officials are appointed by the government. A Financial Times opinion piece writes that quangos are seen as useless and are often staffed by quangocrats. (iv) ENGO: An environmental NGO, for example, Greenpeace or the World Wildlife Fund. Both groups operate internationally in addition to advocating for the environment. They are often simply referred to as NGOs. As Covid-19 gripped the world, it put to test our collective resilience to the global pandemic. One cannot turn a blind eye to this changing world order which has not only impacted the economy but also attuned us to how we work and adjust to our daily lives. In such a scenario, solutions are unlikely to come if everybody is working in silos. The fight against COVID-19 needed as many hands as are available. For several years, non-governmental organizations also known as NGOs are actively involved in combating challenges related to the environment, education, health, poverty, women empowerment, child protection, social justice, and human rights, etc. Thus, when the pandemic hit India, NGOs given their deep connect in combating various socio-economic issues, have been a natural partner in this endeavour. The government too reached out to the NGOs, knowing that there is nobody better placed than them to understand the pulse at the grassroots and engage closely with communities. In no time, thousands of NGOs engaged with district administrations across the country to combat the situation. Since then, NGOs have been working relentlessly on the ground and providing critical services to vulnerable groups of people. Realizing the gravitas of the situation, they were the first to reconfigure themselves and pushed for new initiatives to provide medical facilities across the country. They initiated to create national emergency funds, partnered with one another to channel donations, provided assistance in nursing homes, and other facilities through technical support and medical teams. For people including the elderly and children, persons with disabilities, transgenders, the homeless, daily wage workers, migrant workers, and urban poor families, NGOs have been the only point of reference during the ongoing pandemic. The COVID-19 induced lockdowns created an economic crisis on top of a public health emergency. It disrupted the livelihoods of many and put them in dire straits unable to afford food or essential hygiene items such as soaps, masks, and sanitizers. Working on the frontline, NGOs in every region have provided awareness, food, rations, and hygiene kits to the poor and the needy. This fight against COVID-19 has been a collaborative effort and pandemic has been a phase of learning for all in understanding the gaps in our society. Sadaqa jariya is what today’s international development sector calls ‘sustainable development.’ Promoted by Islam over 1,400 years ago, sadaqa jariya encompasses the majority of sustainable development programmes carried out by NGOs today. Holy Quran says, Sadaqa averts calamity and increases sustenance and blessings in one’s life. Allah says, “Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned,” (Qur’an, 2: 245). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said “Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire,” (Hadith, Tirmidhi). He also said that Allah offers relief on the Day of Judgement for those who give sadaqa: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be their charity,” (Hadith, Tirmidhi). Muslim NGOs have been at the forefront of active intervention since the beginning of the public health emergency in various countries, providing support to the vulnerable populations impacted by the virus. They have been helping homeless people, asylum seekers, migrants and low-income families, but have also enlarged their regular operations to aid health staff and workers in precarious living conditions. For instance, they have helped those individuals that were forced to stop their professional activities by delivering them with food provisions or volunteering to take care of the medical staff’s children when their parents are at work. Many NGOs have also provided technical assistance to health institutions, such as hospitals, and offered medical supplies, (e.g. respirators, surgical masks and hydro-alcoholic gel). To carry out their actions, the organisations have launched multiple online fundraising campaigns which have been highly successful. Muslim NGOs are continuously expanding their field of activities to various areas, including education, medical services, environment, aging societies, gender issues, and inter-religious dialogue. They are visible in an urban slum in India, Pakistan, rural development in Indonesia, and even in Fukushima in Japan to distribute hot meals among the affected people. Muslim NGOs have become a global phenomenon. Though there have been many studies on “political Islam”, only a few approaches to broaden our understanding of Muslim NGOs have appeared. NGOs in the Muslim World brings together contributors familiar with the local language who have each been engaged with fieldwork for many years. Based on empirical anthropological and sociological studies in Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and Jordan, they explore key issues concerning the role and work of Muslim NGOs, from the inspirations Muslims take from holy texts to the religious expectations of volunteers devoting their time to charitable causes. The book discusses the relationship of Muslim organizations with Islamic institutions, as well as their interpretations of the contemporary issues faced by NGOs within a specifically Islamic framework. As a result, NGOs in the Muslim World provides fresh insight into Muslims’ faith-based initiatives concerning contemporary issues. It will be of interest to students and scholars from diverse disciplines including anthropology, sociology, political science and history, as well as Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. In J&K, we have a number of NGOs who are working in the field like HELP Foundation, Help Poor Voluntary Trust, The – Sara, Sahuliyat Kashmir, Yashn, Serving Nations. It is important before starting an NGO, one must know what are the basic problems of people in the area which he/she want to reduce. Knowing this, it becomes easier to formulate the purpose and mission of person interested. After this, one have to decide the vision, mission and objectives of the NGO. People who have problems within society will have to work accordingly. Because no one listens to many people’s problems. Therefore, the purpose of any NGO should be to understand the problems of the people and start their NGO accordingly. The important documents which one require before starting an NGO are, Memorandum and Rules & Regulations in Duplicate duly signed by Minimum Three persons (Each page on bottom), Ownership Proof of Registered Office. (Electricity Bill/Sale Deed/ GPA/Water Bill etc.), Residential/Office Address Proof of all members of the Society. Such as Voter ID/ Telephone Bill/ Electricity Bill/Pass Port/Driving License etc.,NOC from Owner of premises on Rs.10/- Stamp Paper, An affidavit from President on Rs.10/- Stamp Paper, List of Desirous person should be signed by all members of society and Desirous persons or the persons subscribing the name to the Memorandum should not be (in any case) less than seven. If it is proposed to give All India character to the society there must be a minimum of eight different persons from different States of Indian Union to the Memorandum. The process of registration of an NGO in India is done in three ways. Or we can also say that NGOs can be registered in any of the three Acts. Let us know what are these three acts? Trust Act, Society Act and Companies Act. (a) Trust Act: There are Trust Acts in various states of India but if a state does not have a Trust Act, then the 1882 Trust Act applies in that state. It is necessary to have at least two trustees under this act. To register an NGO under this Act, you have to apply to the charity commissioner or registrar office. To register an NGO under the Trust Act, you need a document called a deed. (b) Society Act: Registration under the Act requires a Memorandum of Association and Rules & Regulations document, this document is very important. A minimum of 7 members is required to create this document. NGOs are registered as societies, but in the state of Maharashtra, NGOs can be registered as trustees in some states such as the Societies Act. (c) Section 8 Company Act: Memorandum and articles of association and regulation document are required for registration of an NGO under the Companies Act. No stamp paper of any kind is required to create this document, a minimum of three members are required to create this document. In this act, the NGO is registered under the Companies Act.
NGO is known as a Non-Governmental Organisation or Non-Profit Organisation that faces several challenges in today’s society. NGO plays an important role in various sectors namely education, culture, science or development, etc. The aim of the day is to inspire and encourage people to be involved with NGOs for the betterment of society. In 2010, World NGO Day was officially recognised by the member countries of the IX Baltic Sea NGO Forum Council of the Baltic Sea States in Lithuania. The Baltic Sea NGO Forum member countries are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Norway, and Sweden. On 27 February, 2014, first time World NGO Day was celebrated at Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. Hundreds of NGOs, the UN, UNESCO, and EU international leaders gathered in the event at Helsinki. According to Eric Falt, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO said: “This is an opportunity to raise the flag for the NGOs and simply recognises the way they change the world we live in…” The objectives of celebrating World NGO Day are: (a) To highlight the efforts and achievements of NGOs from all the sectors. (b) To make people understand the role of NGO in society, what NGO is doing for our society at a local, national and international level. (c) To provide a platform of the NGOs to discuss the issues due to which their work is hampered and to share their knowledge and experience with one another. World NGO Day plays a significant role and is appreciated across the globe. It gives opportunities to remember the founders of NGOs, employees, volunteers, members, supporters and to honour them. There are several ways to celebrate this day. People engage in community work that is initiated by the NGOs in the city. According to the World NGO Day organisation, 5 tips to celebrate World NGO Day are: (i) To cooperate with local schools/universities to run an event on World NGO Day for students and people. Also, it provides a platform to learn about issues of an NGO and about their opportunities from local charities to international movements. (ii) To organise activities to raise awareness like sharing messages with the community through online, TV, Radio, newsletter or local newspapers. (iii) To host celebratory events for raising funds and awareness (iv) To organise an NGO “Exchange” event to swap goods and ideas with others. The achievements of NGOs are also showcased through events or awards. (iv) World NGO Day universal concept is Celebrate, Commemorate and Collaborate several NGOs across the world and the people behind them. It is concluded that World NGO Day is celebrated across the world with an aim to encourage people and to inform them about the efforts and achievements of NGOs from all sectors. This day also inspires people to consider a career within the third sector. On this day people come to know about those people who are working behind NGOs, their way of working, to discuss issues that affect their work and to form a partnership to resolve a mutual problem. On this day organisations organise many special events to celebrate world NGOs day and provide many social welfare services on this occasion. Persons who are not involved in any NGOs also celebrate and participate in the community works which organised for the celebration purpose. On this day, the great role of Persons in NGOs commemorated and honoured. Also, reward distribution takes place to honour the spectacular selfless service of a person in this field. On 27th February 2021, we are celebrating 8th World NGO Day. Let us all celebrate this day acquiring some more knowledge about World NGO Day and try to provide every support to them who are working hard selflessly for the sake of our society.
(While Bilkees Nazir is a Research Scholar, University of Kashmir, J&K , Dr. Bilal A. Bhat, is an Associate Professor at SK University of Agriculture Sciences & Technology Kashmir- SKUAST-K Shalimar Srinagar . Views are their own)
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