Editor,
The issue of NGOs and their scope and nature of operations is a sensitive and subjective subject-matter. I would like to add to the existing discourse through examination of a phenomenon ‘why NGOs and why not’. Its rational perusal leads to a general inference that they are more of a charade masquerading around with ulterior motives thereby clogging the smooth functioning of the socio-economic sectors of the economy. As such, the factors contributing to said inference are adequately placed.
Firstly, NGOs are popularly known as ‘third sector organizations’ as against the ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ sectors called ‘government’ and ‘market/business’. They have sprung up as a result of the deficiencies and abnormalities in the outcomes of the first two sectors. Hence, they are a remedy to the existent limitations by initiating and involving in growth-oriented intervention, thriving for socio-politico justice and implementation of participatory democracy. Accordingly, the World Bank defines NGOs as ‘private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services or undertake community development’. The important point to note here is that NGOs are partners and supplements in the development mainstream. They are a stimulus to change either by self or by engagement with the first two sectors. Thus, all the three sectors combined move unilaterally and thrive to achieve a greater and better outcome.
Secondly and in the context of the above, a pertinent question arises – are KSU, FKJGP, GSU, RBSU and related others NGOs? The answer is for most to see as according to their orientation and operations over the years they do not fit the definition of an NGO. If anything, they are a disgrace to the actual NGOs and charitable institutions who contribute enormously to positive change through their various socio-economic programmes with no malice and intent to create disorder. Hence, the self-knighted NGOs are nothing but a heap of ‘pressure groups’ and they should be designated and treated accordingly for all official and financial purposes. They conveniently use the NGO veil for deceiving and fooling the general public who generally should not fall to their wits and tricks so gullibly. Therefore, as pressure groups all they do is pressurize to the extent of creating disorder and sometimes utter chaos. In most cases, their approach to issues is distorted top-bottom i.e. they look at the ends rather than contemplating the reasons for such ends and accordingly have checks and measures.
Thirdly, employment is not a birth-right. It is not a given. It is not a luxury offered on a plate. As we are ‘sons of the soil’ we are entitled to reservations and liberties and freebies. However, we have pushed this juggernaut too fast and too far to the extent that now it has negatively and severely affected our thinking process. Anything and everything under the sun is always viewed from the prism of reservation. As an intervention, reservation is meant to help the left-behind and backward groups speed up and catch up. Sadly, we have turned it into a way of life. In truth, employment and jobs are about competencies. They are not about knowing people or belonging to a place. If competent, one will be gainfully and productively employed. As such, we suffer not from the problem of unemployment, rather unemployability. Contemporarily, things are changing for the better and many of the youth are having a change in mindset. They nurture and develop appropriate competencies and are being engaged accordingly. Nonetheless, we do have a long way to go.
Lastly, there are ways and means for these pressure groups to actually start functioning as an NGO and migrate accordingly. These range from seeing into regular and satisfactory revision of syllabi, regular salaries and benefits to the teachers, sufficient resources in existing educational organizations, more schools and colleges in all areas and all other issues which are teaching-learning oriented. However, if these issues are too small and insignificant for our tall groups they can venture into two noble activities. First, conduct regular capacity building programmes for the youth on various facets and aspects. Second, have an investment arm whereby the underprivileged will have access to funds for livelihoods through entrepreneurship and small businesses. Of course, these programmes require money, but it also means operating as an NGO and as such liaisoning funds from the government shall not be a problem.
Yours etc,
Benjamin Lyngdoh
NEHU Campus
Shillong – 22
