Living in the Now | 26.5.23
5 W and 1 H of Philanthropy
Recently I read an article, the crux of which is: despite a
rich tradition and legacy of daan (charity), Indians are actually kanjoosh. They do not ‘give’ in charity. The article has
impressive statistics to show that unlike the west, corporate India is not keen
on charity.
It says that the culture of institutionalized
philanthropy is relatively new to India, barring a Tata here or an Infosys
there. Business houses have erected temples, built dharmasalas. But when it comes to doing something noticeable
in the social sector, it has little to show.
The article goes on to
suggest that forget the corporate bodies, even an average Indian gives a
fraction of what his American counterpart and about half his South Asian
counterpart gives in charity.
I wonder why? We give ‘chanda’
in all religious festivals willingly or through coercion. We willingly put in
green backs in the hundi, strategically placed in front of almost
all temples. We throw handfuls of coins towards the beggars, who crowd the
entrance of the religious places. But why don’t we donate for social causes?
As a former journalist, I
approached this question with a 5 ‘w’ and 1 ‘h’ strategy.
1.
Why give? Most of us are reluctant if not averse to give in charity.
The first question that we ask ourselves: why to give? Can’t we utilize that
money or article or time or whatever for ourselves or on second thought for our
near and dear ones? Why give to strangers, without any hope of getting anything
tangible in return?
2. What to give?
Do we give money? What should be the appropriate amount?
3. Whom to give?
This probably is the biggest question which plagues our decision. Credibility
of the receiver is a big factor. We are familiar with religious places and
beggars. But when it comes to giving to somebody or some institution for social
causes- we really do not know whom to give. We are skeptical about the majority
of the NGOs. We think they will usurp our hard earned money.
4. When to give?
Do we give regularly- say once a month, or occasionally? Do we give on some
occasion like say on the birthday of your son or when situation warrants like
say when calamity has struck?
5. How and in
which form? There are practical problems. Suppose I want to donate my old
shirt. How do I give? There is hardly an institutional system working
nationwide or even statewide? I understand there are some NGOs who are working
on this in some large cities, but an institutional system is yet to be
developed.
I feel we Indians are
willing to give in charity. The problem is to translate the willingness to
reality through a credible and efficient system. If that is taken care of,
Indians will not hesitate to ‘give’ in charity. After all, we have a long
history and legacy of philanthropy.
++
May read it here:
https://www.odisha.plus/2023/05/5-w-and-1-h-of-philanthropy/?fbclid=IwAR0dBECTRISMdMRSF854B1NUSU3-JU8Q8Ju2I_DvLq8aG2mL3j0weWN4Oc0
No comments:
Post a Comment