Perspectives on Non-profit Mission and Financing in India

Abstract

India has a long tradition of volunteerism and charity. Movements for liberalisation, social reforms, welfare and development, and conscientisation per se have taken place in this country and continue to do so. The history of social organisation seems to have largely been influenced by a laissez-faire movement on the basis of the promulgation of the theory of minimisation of state intervention on the one hand, and dissemination of the concern of volunteerism on a more planned and organised way on the other. During the colonial period the voluntary movement witnessed the era of the Christian church, Gandhian philosophy and reformist approach. The early post-independence period was the era of religion-based and Gandhian voluntary organisations. An important feature during this period was that the state had provided financial support to NGOs. In the 1960s and 1970s NGOs had grown manifold. In the 1980s NGOs occupied a prominent place in the development sector. Nonetheless, in recent years massive changes have been occurring. Indian experiences have revealed that there is a need for the critique of their own work and contributions. In the era of globalisation, successful implementation of development programmes requires appropriate policy framework, formulation of suitable plan schemes, and effective delivery machinery. This has to be based on appropriate research studies to validate presence, position, challenges and relevance.