tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59283468683033694902024-02-19T17:56:20.606+05:30Social Equity and DevelopmentA fresh breath into social changeKLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17045174311050047608noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-43489985380736196732009-05-30T10:23:00.002+05:302009-05-30T10:28:17.597+05:30Detailed analysis of "Empowering the underprivileged through innovations"<div style="text-align: justify;">I attended the workshop on Empowering the underprivileged through innovations, not only as an alumnus of CSIM, but also as an editor covering the event for ThinkChange-India.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have presented a detailed two-part analysis of the event in the portal. Here are the links</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Part-1: Pre-lunch session</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.thinkchangeindia.org/2009/05/27/csims-workshop-on-empowering-the-underprivileged-through-innovations-an-analysis/">http://www.thinkchangeindia.org/2009/05/27/csims-workshop-on-empowering-the-underprivileged-through-innovations-an-analysis/</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Part-2: Post-lunch session and conclusion</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.thinkchangeindia.org/2009/05/29/csims-workshop-an-analysis-continued/">http://www.thinkchangeindia.org/2009/05/29/csims-workshop-an-analysis-continued/</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Badhrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549143296407318099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-83857177961005385972009-05-09T23:58:00.004+05:302009-05-10T00:21:07.285+05:30Workshop on "Empowering the Underprivileged through Innovations"<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Center for Social Initiative & Management </span>presents<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One day workshop on</span><br /><br />"<span style="font-weight: bold;">Empowering the Underprivileged through Innovations</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">24th May, 2009 Sunday</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venue and Timings</span><br />Auditorium of Center for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Ameerpet, Hyderabad<br />9:00am - 6:00pm<br />Registration of participants starts at 9:00am<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who can attend<br /></span>Anyone interested in learning about the Innovations that drive the Empowerment of the Underprivileged are invited to attend this workshop.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Registration Fees</span><br />Rs. 200/- per participant<br />Rs. 100/- for college students with their college ID cards<br />(The fees includes a lunch and two tea/snacks and a workshop kit)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">About the Workshop</span><br /><br />This Workshop will bring together experts in varied aspects of societal development. These experts could be social entrepreneurs – experienced or budding; One common characteristic running through all of them is that they will talk about innovations that are either being used or have the potential to be used as a potent tool to address prevalent social issues.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Themes for the Workshop</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Healthcare and Nutrition</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Water and Sanitation</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Literacy and Education</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Livelihood</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Shelter</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">(Micro) Finance</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Need for a Workshop</span><br /><br />India has leaped when it comes to numbers like the <span style="font-weight: bold;">GDP </span>growth rate; it has crawled, in fact slipped, on key parameters like the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Human Development Index</span>. This has further widened the chasm between the haves and have-nots.<br /><br />White collar employment opportunities created in the last decade have led to the formation of a self-reliant and socially aware section in our society. This part of society, having freed itself of questions of bare necessities, recognizes the existence of a vast populace which is disadvantaged when it comes to access to even the most basic of necessities; and it wishes to be a part of the solution to this imbalance.<br /><br />Many professionals want to volunteer but do not know for whom. Some want to donate but do not know where. Some want to implement ideas but do not know how. Most importantly,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> some just want to do “something” but do now know what!</span> Answers to such questions can be found out if there is a platform which can “<span style="font-weight: bold;">Develop</span>” the social consciousness among people, which can “<span style="font-weight: bold;">Inform</span>” those in need of answers and which can “<span style="font-weight: bold;">Empower</span>” those in need of support for their ideas.<br /><br />Today we stand at a juncture where innumerable innovations have lowered the barrier for serving the disadvantaged. These innovations could be technological, financial or process-related in nature. The need of the hour is to ensure that knowledge of such innovations reaches every socially conscious individual who in turn can leverage it to progress on his/her mission.<br /></div>Saraswathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15269024662012548032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-44808271773043897062009-04-25T14:44:00.003+05:302009-04-25T14:57:46.204+05:30We all are responsible!!!Recently two days back “World Earth Day” was celebrated. On a large scale, activities were conducted in various corporate offices, govt sector and colleges. I believe it is good way to boost ourselves to pledge to protect environment. But, there is a question which bothers me again and again “who will take the responsibility of maintaining the environment once you are done with the day?". Who will take out the time and water the plants once they are planted on a specific day. Do bureaucrats who plant the trees and get there photos clicked go and water them, protect from stray cattles and other climate changes?<br /><br />I agree it is not one person job to commit for environmental protection but, how many of us really think with respect of environment than as per our convenience. How many of us appreciate car pooling, riding a cycle or walking if the work place is closer, regularly check our vehicles, get the leaking taps fix, save water during our regular activities and ask our maids to save the environment. Most of the people do save the water and other things when they are short of it. If a day water supply is limited then every one tend to save every drop of water but rest of days it is used as per their convenience.<br /><br />Other major area is teaching the maids and uneducated people to understand the importance of the environmental protection. Daily I tell my maids to close taps when not required but it seems they are deaf. Switching off the fans and lights are big jobs for which they need extra money. On road the maximum pollution is created by the auto, cabs and old state vehicles. But, surprising they all have pollution certificate.<br /><br />It is said that one person can make a difference but I believe this is such a big problem that one person can’t do much. We all have to share our responsibility and then we can make a difference.Neetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263863364713273070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-74035538067102553232009-04-19T12:49:00.003+05:302009-04-19T14:57:38.366+05:30Marching towards the Conceptual Age...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCN0bUGdezbRlO5nccr0cJT-bWw8s2qhJ9a2MLDUJbSRjBpv-Mp2Gpu42A2sa8JWCtzCsbKUs6L9Qq0k1FuiknUALP6xXs7y7rcA4mVMgDffRRjRWQi4Ujs1vM2yvI6xmZAK37sssrBxk2/s1600-h/image-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 73px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCN0bUGdezbRlO5nccr0cJT-bWw8s2qhJ9a2MLDUJbSRjBpv-Mp2Gpu42A2sa8JWCtzCsbKUs6L9Qq0k1FuiknUALP6xXs7y7rcA4mVMgDffRRjRWQi4Ujs1vM2yvI6xmZAK37sssrBxk2/s200/image-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326331664426588802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This is my first post on <span style="font-weight: bold;">CSIM Vision</span>. I am happy to get a new platform to share my ideas about the world.<br /><br />I am a huge supporter of social media like <span style="font-style: italic;">blogging</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">social networking sites</span> like <span style="font-style: italic;">Orkut</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Facebook </span>and <span style="font-style: italic;">Twitter</span>. It helps me connect and reach more people. I have made so many friends from these platforms which has helped me broaden my vision.<br /><br />I start off my first flight on CSIM Vision with a "<span style="font-weight: bold;">thought</span>".<br /><br />Human beings as a species has come a long way. We were initially cave people, hunter-gatherers, nomads, took up cultivation and agriculture, cattle rearing, settlements, tools making etc. All this gradually led to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Industrial revolution"</span>. The Industrial revolution phase was transformed into the "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Information Age</span>" thanks to internet, books, printing etc.<br /><br />Are we still in the "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Information Age</span>"? This is a serious question.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Daniel Pink</span> the author of the brilliant book "<span style="font-weight: bold;">A Whole New Mind</span>" gives a very good answer.<br /><br />We are slowly moving onto a "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Conceptual Age</span>".<br /><br />Dan says in his book:<br /><br /><blockquote>We are moving from an economy and a society built on the logical, linear, computerlike capabilities of the Information Age to an economy and society built on the inventive, empathic, big-picture capabilities of what's rising in its place, the Conceptual Age<br /><br />The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind - creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers and meaning makers</blockquote><br /><br />We have lot of information on hand. Infact, more information than all of us can handle. The world we are moving into will depend on "how we make use of this information"<br /><br />The growing awareness of "Social Entrepreneurship" combining the ideas of leadership, innovation, social change, business etc makes me believe that we as the "human race" are taking our first steps towards this new Conceptual Age.<br /><br />What qualities or tools to use to succeed in this Conceptual Age? Do share your views. Probably we need a "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Whole New Mind</span>"<br /><br />We will explore more about this in my next post.<br /><br /></div>Saraswathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15269024662012548032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-49038604726254388282009-04-19T11:26:00.005+05:302009-04-19T12:07:16.575+05:30Environment: Mandates and processes need of the hour!<div style="text-align: justify;">I have come across enthusiastic appeals to contribute towards saving the environment by modifying the way I go about my everyday life. <br /><br />For example, I find it very difficult to avoid using plastics. I buy juice in a carton as against a plastic bottle, only to find that even the cartons use plastic linings to make it waterproof. After little research I come to understand that there is no alternative water-proofing solution to plastics that is affordable to common man. Similarly, I am piling up dozens of used batteries simply because I am yet to find an environmentally safe way of disposing them, even after actively searching for a recycling plant or safe-disposal facility close to Hyderabad . The same predicament applies to anything that can be connected to electricity from cellphone chargers to television sets.<br /><br />On the other hand even when solutions are available for an environmental problem common man is not effectively sensitized. Consider the case of disposing kitchen wastes. Composting them to manure and using them as manure for plants is a tried and tested solution. However, the process of composting or the fact that such small compost bins are available at affordable prices are known only the to environmentally conscious.<br /><br />So, good intentions of appeals to be environmental consciousness not withstanding, a tangible impact can be achieved only if proven alternatives are easily available for common man use supplemented by processes and mandates for sensitizing him on the issue.<br /></div>Badhrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549143296407318099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-69666164767238868012009-02-11T19:57:00.000+05:302009-02-11T20:19:43.442+05:30Chronic Poverty and Disability<div style="text-align: justify;">According to WHO estimation, approx 10% of population is disabled, and a higher proportion of those living in chronic poverty. These numbers go up for the developing countries and underdeveloped countries than the developed countries. Disabled are disproportionately amongst the poorest.<br /><br />Disability is considered as stigma to society as well as family. People considered disability as something of past bad deed. A child with disability most likely is excluded from family, education and later from society. They learn less and are less informed about the rights and policies. Lack of knowledge, education, awareness, opportunity and due to discrimination and poor self esteem, they have less chances to sustain.<br /><br />Every country has developmental plans like universalisation of primary education, gender and economical equality and stability. But, it is not possible without inclusion and acknowledging the disabled needs. Various barriers like attitudinal and environmental results in social exclusion and marginalisation.<br /><br />There has recently been a shift by some NGO’s, philanthropist and even Government towards considering the issues of disability right. Disabled and society is not aware of rights. There is poor distribution of resources and information among disabled. Other important point is that, rarely disabled could able to reach to power and can influence the policies and laws.<br /><br />Government, developmental agencies and various others NGOs have tried and created expensive programe for disabled for main streaming, but this is not one or two hands job. It needs every citizen support and acknowledgment, change of attitudinal and communication barrier which results in exclusion and marginalization. Empowering disabled, acceptance and inclusion to society not only reduce the chronic poverty but also assist for global development.<br /><br /><br /></div>Neetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263863364713273070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-34716947387404832522009-01-14T20:07:00.012+05:302009-01-15T16:36:55.640+05:30Helping without hurting!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Vinay</span>, one of the founding editors of <a href="http://thinkchangeindia.wordpress.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ThinkChange</span> India (TC-I)</a> made a casual visit to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">CSIM</span> Hyderabad on January 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span>. We had also invited Rubina <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mazhar</span>, a social entrepreneur and alumni of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">CSIM</span> for an informal chat. His co-editor of TC-I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Aishwarya</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Mishra</span> (who has expressed his willingness to join the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">SEOP</span> session that starts the February) also joined us. Very soon we slid into a discussion on wide range of topics concerning social equity and development. Though it is next to impossible to capture all the points discussed, quite a few perspectives that may not be taught in any educational center have surfaced during the discussion. I will try to highlight at least one of them in this post.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Aishwarya</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Mishra</span>, through the Teach India program, volunteers as a tutor in Government High school, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Rasoolpura</span>, adopted by <a href="http://www.bhumi.in/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Bhumi</span></a>, outlined their flagship <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Dhronacharya</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ekalavya</span> (D&E) program. D&E program mainly works by assigning a mentor who acts as an "elder sibling" or a role-model to each of the children that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Bhumi</span> covers, so that the child looks up to the mentor and learns to become a responsible person as against growing without a role-model.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While recognizing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Bhumi's</span> work on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Rasoolpura</span>, Rubina <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Mazhar</span> pointed out a potential risk that may be ingrained in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">mentorship</span> approach in general. She opined that a mentor who is not from the same background as the child (all the children are from a slum and most, if not all the volunteers are not) cannot be "unleashed" on the children without proper training about their culture and way of life, since the mentor's belief system usually consists of a lot of ideas that doesn't fit well with the belief system of the child society. For example, Rubina cited that in a typical family from the lower economic background, the general mentality would be to proscribe girl children beyond a certain age from going out on her own without the oversight of the family. A volunteer from an upcoming middle class family with no or inadequate training about the social psychology of the girl's family, may try to instill "modern ideas" of independence, which may cause her to "revolt" against her parents and face undesired consequences.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While one may or may not subscribe to her quoted example, the general point made is not only valid but also extremely relevant to social development. An initiative for social development should be carefully crafted and implemented so that the existing social fabric (to use Rubina's own words) of the target group doesn't get disturbed. This further lends credibility to why a social initiative should consider a beneficiary as a partner rather than a receiver - a point made in <a href="http://csimvision.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-to-ensure-sustainability-in-social.html">earlier post</a> in order to emphasize sustainability.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This point also shatters another common, but wrong belief that some social initiative is better than no social initiative. On the contrary, a social initiative should be a learning process carefully adjusted to ensure that it helps and doesn't cause another damage elsewhere in the process. </div>Badhrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549143296407318099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-74851147878162979872008-12-31T07:45:00.008+05:302009-01-14T21:43:43.901+05:30How to ensure sustainability in social sector<div align="justify">As a continuing subscriber to social change and a student of Social Entrepreneurship Outreach Program (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">SEOP</span>) offered by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">CSIM</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hyd</span>), I have come across a few important ideas for sustainability time and again.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Malcolm Warwick Chair, Resource Alliance <a href="http://images.photogallery.indiatimes.com/photo.cms?msid=2866282">shared his opinion</a> on sustainability earlier this year when he visited India, which reemphasized during my coursework in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">CSIM</span>. The traditional approach to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">NGO</span>, though a commendable democratic movement has a lot of scope for improvement when it comes to sustainability and financial independence. Mr. Warwick said that this is mainly because of their "paternalistic top-down approach" which looks at the beneficiaries as passive receivers rather than making them active participants. The alternative is to trust the beneficiaries to knowing what they need and involving them in the process.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">His idea definitely seems to be very sensible considering the success stories of various social enterprises. As suggested by Mr. Warwick, <a href="http://www.readglobal.org/programs.asp">Rural Education and Development</a> builds libraries in Nepal and India by involving the local rural community in planning, conception, construction and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">maintenance</span> of the libraries. As a result, the local community seems to understand the need for the library and value in maintaining it. This shows from the fact that all the libraries thus constructed are not only functional, but also generate profit.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">During one of the sessions held in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">CSIM</span> by Mr. B. Ravi <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shankar</span>, project manager in Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty, he quoted numerous success stories that resulted primarily because of involving the beneficiaries in running the project. For example, to get better profit for their produces, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">SERP</span> convinced the female members of the farmers to form an organization to compete with middlemen to procure the produces of the farmer and selling it in the market, thus netting the profit that would otherwise have gone to the middlemen. Further, they also learned how to weigh the produces and measure the moisture content of a certain grain (which would determine the pricing of the grain) so that loop holes in ensuring profit is eliminated.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Finding examples that support the same point from totally independent sources convinces me that the only way to ensure maximum and sustained benefit to a beneficiary is to trust him/her to know what he/she wants and involve him/her in the process rather than just a passive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">recipient.</span></div>Badhrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549143296407318099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-72532746626759272812008-12-19T12:31:00.002+05:302009-01-10T20:02:17.466+05:30Is targeting the poor alone always efficacious?<div style="text-align: justify;">With my on and off involvement with centers close to social development, I find one attitude that may have to be changed for better efficacy of social initiatives. Let me have the first stab at defining the attitude.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">"A social initiative will produce a better impact when it is targeted towards the economically poorer sections of the society. The richer the beneficiaries are, the lesser social impact it has.."</span><br /></blockquote><br />While in general this point has a validity, it has to be revisited for every specific case. Here is an example. A team of my friends and I conducted a science demo in a private school nearby. When I talked about this, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Don't you think your initiative would be more useful to students of government schools?"</span> was one question that popped up universally. My answer is<span style="font-style: italic;"> "In my case doing it in *this* private school is likely to have a higher social impact"</span> . Why?<br /><br />1. This private school doesn't have a lab infrastructure in spite of the students paying a nominal school fee (Rs. 200/- per month).<br /><br />2. The students here do have a capability to read, listen to and understand English, Telugu and Hindi which provides us flexibility in our implementation. So, it gets easier for us to get more students to start "thinking and reasoning science" - a better success rate at our initiative. On the other hand, a government school on which we are working on the ability to grasp English is lesser providing us with challenges (lesser number of teachers from our office)<br /><br />Much more importantly, access to better education sure is relatively much more difficult for the poor. However, schools that fall in the economic category of the one that we are working on also face problems faced by government schools (non-availability of teachers, labs etc.). In addition to that they also suffer the ignorance of NGOs that rush to help poor quality government schools. It is almost as if these students are paying Rs. 200/- per month to be ignored!<br /><br />Thankfully, in our case, we need to ignite as many minds to think and reason (in science and others..). In our eyes, whether the students have the ability to pay Rs.200/- or not, if their inclination to reason is lacking, they are equally poor! Only the former is equipped with a skill (English language) that offers flexibility for us to make a better impact.<br /><br />A society, apart from being categorized into economically richer and poorer, can also be categorized into rich and poor based on other criteria. And the economically richer need not be richer (or have better opportunity) in all the other categories. Social upliftment, one must remember, is not only the upliftment of the economically poorest, but the upliftment of the society as a whole.<br /></div>Badhrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549143296407318099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-17540316724690088562008-12-09T21:26:00.006+05:302009-01-14T21:44:53.598+05:30Social Entrepreneurship in India : Challenge or Solution<div style="text-align: justify;">In broader terms poverty ($2 per day per person) is omnipresent. Nearly, half the world’s population (over 3 billion people) lives under poverty line. In India alone, over two-thirds of its one billion plus population is covered under the definition of poverty. Yet, the strategy for alleviating poverty across globe is reformed but practically every developing nation has remained more or less to same.<br /><br />Various initiatives taken by Govt and philanthropists are not sufficient for India in overall leveraging the quality of life of the underprivileged and disadvantaged community. Philanthropy is taught as a moral value and a large scale requirement in our community increase its demand. But, it is more required as social entrepreneurship not as a charity. It has been found in various researches that social entrepreneurship is the key element for the advanced and developed community and society in addressing the social needs. Since, Govt can’t target and successfully solve all the community challenges, the demand for various social entrepreneurs increases multi-fold.<br /><br />India has given birth to some of the most advanced and innovative social entrepreneurs. They have developed few innovative and cost effective models which are used world wide. For e.g Child Help line 1098. They are present every where and are into every area of problems. But, because of their willingness to work quietly they are not well recognised.<br /><br />Advantages of social entrepreneurs are as they work on the grass root level, they know the immediate needs of the community and they also work with the cultural boundaries of the community and hence, they are most acceptable. Now a day NGO are developing business model with triple bottom line of Profit, People and Planet to make there efforts sustainable and reachable to maximum. In other words, social entrepreneurs are linkage between the Govt initiatives and philanthropy. Social Entrepreneurship not only brings social change but create jobs and generate income to carry forward the further activities at different level and scale. Various initiatives like AMUL India, Aravind Eye Hospital, Barefoot College and SEWA are few renowned examples in social sector, but they are few. To cater the Indian population we may need thousands of other Social entrepreneurs who can solve thousands of other existing problems in health, child education and literacy, employment and disability etc areas. For eliminating such problems India needs stronger vision and Entrepreneurial approach.<br /><br />In recent studies, it is found that India has more NGO’s per capita than other developing countries, but still few of these operating NGO’s have entrepreneurial approach. Lack of proper information, management and collaboration with other NGO’s lead to poor social impact. Transparency and lack of Funds also contribute to failure in generating good results.<br /><br />Few B Schools like ISB, Hyderabad and TISS, Mumbai have included Social entrepreneurship study in their curriculum to impart better understanding and knowledge about social change.<br />As India is moving ahead in economic development, citizen sector can contribute a lot at grass root level to build a better base and improving the quality of life.</div>Neetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263863364713273070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-38855151341620070182008-12-04T21:58:00.010+05:302009-02-16T22:02:41.651+05:30Networking event<div style="text-align: justify;">On 30 Nov 2008, Centre for Social Initiative and Management provided an opportunity of networking with few National and International NPO by partnering with Unltd India for their “Learning Journey” program in Hyderabad. Unltd was an UK based organisation that supports social entrepreneurs by providing funding and support to help in shaping their ideas. Learning Journeys (LJ) was one such unique experience that is aimed to develop leaders to create greater impact in the world. It was a networking event among like minded people from different countries varying from Hongkong to India and UK to US<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A</span>lthough numbers of Not Profit Organizations (NPO) were invited with different background with different objectives but one thing which was common among them was the passion for becoming a change maker and building a better community. The event started with introduction of Director of UnLtd (UK) and their activities. Next introduction session was from coordinator of CSIM, Mr KL Srivastava and about CSIM activities. The major session was taken by Vijay Mahajan co-founded PRADAN, a rural development NGO, in 1983. A graduate of IIT, Delhi and IIM, Ahmedabad, Vijay has devoted his working life to promoting livelihoods in rural areas. In 1996, after leaving PRADAN, Mahajan went on to found BASIX, the first for profit microfinance institution (MFI) in India, and among the first in the world to attract commercial equity investments. He also shared his journey from his graduation to BASIX, the success mantra, challenges, supports and above all the passion and vision. He also told that most NPOs become ineffective because of lack of business model approach or management. For the success of a NPO it is important to have vision, passion, values and adequate scaling and accounting. It is important to demonstrate the values for NGO/NPO as they have to work on social sector. Values help in developing rapport with the society.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>He stresses on word of mouth publicity as if we target rural population most of people are barely literate and hi-tech. It is important for social sector people to participate in the lifestyle of community for better understanding of the problems. It will not just help to have an outlook but a better look of community need. Of course, networking plays an important role in fund raising or fund development.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>However, Entrepreneurial concept favors the combination of social motives and values in business model but business model is not applicable to all NPO, as sometime human values are stronger than the funds. But, it does not mean that there is no need for financial management. For those NPO where there are little chances of fund development, it is important for them to reduce the expense and cost.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>Other organisation who participated in event were Education for free, Ashrya Aakruti, Safa, Sakshum, ILP (Indian literacy programe), ISFC (Indian school finance company), ISB, Social impact Net, Food works and CSIM.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>Indeed it was a perfect networking and knowledge sharing event. I want to extend my thanks to CSIM for arranging such networking event.<br /></div>Neetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263863364713273070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-90883608515608746902008-12-02T21:29:00.003+05:302009-01-14T21:46:08.750+05:30Social Entrepreneurship<div style="text-align: justify;">As per the definition social entrepreneurship is the work of social entrepreneur. A social entrepreneur (entrepreneur in French means “one who takes into hands”) is one who recognizes the social need and bring the change. Social entrepreneurs correctly defined by French economist Jean- Baptiste “who shifts economic resources out of an area of lower and into an area of higher productivity and greater yield”. They act as a catalyst and hasten the social progress. Thus, they are the change maker or change agents or social innovators, who solve the social problems.<br /><br />In last 3 decades the social sector has developed a lot and had attracted a lot of dedicated and committed people who share a single vision of social development. The language of social entrepreneurship may be new, but the phenomenon is not new. Social entrepreneurship is not charity. It is not something like feeding with but it means empowering or preparing the people to feed them. Social entrepreneurs encourage, educate, train and empower the beneficiaries to develop skills and direct them to solve their problems. They consider the social problems as challenges and opportunities for social uplifting. It is not necessary that all social entrepreneurs or organisation have no profit objectives rather they generate the income along with social change and use the profit for community building or for further activities. It is not just fund raising rather it is fund development. For e.g Md Yunus, a noble prize winner, from Bangladesh who founded Grameen Bank, innovated the concept of micro financing for poor and beggars. The Grameen bank is For profit organisation but its objectives are to develop the rural and poor community also helping the poor to avail finances for their own development. Social entrepreneurs identify the needs and problems of society or community, innovate the sustainable solution, accept the problems as opportunity and bring the change in the society. The solution or model is sustainable, cost effective and replicable.<br /><br />Flow chart of entrepreneurship<br /><br />Recognition of Social needs and social assets and resources<br />Innovative, sustainable and productive ideas<br />Business model and operating strategy<br />Use of opportunity Social outcome and impact<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Characteristics of Social Entrepreneurs</span><br /><br />Creative and innovative<br />Pursuance<br />Leadership<br />Focus<br />Dedication and committed<br />Passionate<br />Value of long term consideration over short term<br />Strong ethical and human values<br />Wiliness to Self correct<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Benefits of social entrepreneurship</span><br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>SE generates the social economy by working with the disadvantaged, poor and underprivileged group. Empowering them with training and providing opportunities to them improves the overall capital generation of a society.</li><li>Social entrepreneurs innovates a solution which is cost effective and which can address a larger group. Hence, it reduces the Govt efforts and capital. Sometime the creative idea even accepted by Govt or Authority as a law or policy.</li><li>Since, social entrepreneurship is a business with a triple bottom of social change; it provides employment to people in this sector.</li><li>Overall the objective of social entrepreneurship is to develop community so, it hasten the development of a sustainable and healthy community</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Difference between the business entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship</span><br /><br />The business and social entrepreneurs are not opposite or against to each other the difference exists in 3 words, the vision, objectives and triple bottom line. For a business entrepreneur the vision is profit generation, objective is financial development and bottom line is benefits and business networking. In case of, social entrepreneur the vision is community development, objective is development of resources and bottom line is quality of life of people or benefits of people. For business the financial returns matter where as for social entrepreneurs it is social return that matter.<br /><br /></div>Neetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263863364713273070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-51303204864391764192008-11-27T15:27:00.007+05:302008-12-30T21:31:28.744+05:30Look beside you for faster social change<div style="text-align: justify;">I have been associated with the movement for social change in my own small way, both at my work place and outside. I have interacted with NGOs catering to the same "social sector" (say education, public health). Each of the organizations I have worked with have numerous achievements under their belt and undoubted credibility. However I find one critical aspect missing. Probably THE critical aspect that prevents the respective interventions in the "social sector" from adding up, synergize and emerge into a global movement. The missing aspect I am talking about is "sharing best practices".<br /><br />To put my point into context, let me elaborate my observation. Hyderbad, a fast growing tier-I city in India, has around a thousand government schools and a large percentage of such schools ail from shortcomings such as poor basic infrastructure, lack of teachers (good or bad) and poor attendence rate. There are also quite a few NGOs working with the schools to mend these problems. Many of these NGOs have come up with very similar initiatives (for example taking volunteers from corporates to teach Spoken English in schools to improve job prospects). Yet, when I speak to the representatives of each of these NGOs, they are completely ignorant of the initiatives of the other.<br /><br />This leaves a lot to ponder. If there are 1000 schools, and 10 NGOs doing the same thing, and if each of them cater to 70 schools, that leaves 300 schools with absolutely no help and nobody would know! Further different NGOs may use different models to deliver the same services. One model may be more efficient than the other. This provides for an opportunity for other NGOs to learn from their peers to improve their operational efficiency. But only if they spend some time and resources to research the whos, whats and hows of their peers. But sadly that doesn't seem to be happening in a scale that is required.<br /><br />There are a few initiatives like <a href="http://ngopost.org/">NGOpost</a> that work towards encouraging peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. But even they have a few limitations. Though the participation in the forum is very encouraging, often the purpose of the initiative is misunderstood.<br /><br />In my opinion, looking beside at your peers, knowing them well and co-ordinating your efforts to achieve a common social goal are critical aspects to achive a tangible social change in a much shorter duration.<br /></div>Badhrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549143296407318099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5928346868303369490.post-49258110906777261692008-11-03T10:16:00.004+05:302009-01-14T21:47:09.540+05:30Social Equity and Development Vision<div style="text-align: justify;">At the outset, let me welcome all those who envision social equity, cohesion, prosperity, ecological regeneration and sustainable development in India!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our economic growth engine and social and political processes and institutions should ideally work for the benefit of everyone rather than only for a few. The history, however, shows that this idealism is not something new. As a matter of fact, this ideal has inspired several thinkers and leaders in the past as well, and the quest of realising this ideal continues even today. Is it just an utopian dream? Or is it possible to make significant progress towards realsing this vision in a considerable measure by applying some practical concepts and tools in real life situations in the Indian context? What are the obstacles on this road? Are we limited by our thought processes and imagination? Or we becoming the prisoners of the past?<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our scientific, technological and management capabilities have increased significantly in the recent decades. The processes of globalisation have created opportunities as well as problems for equitable development. How can we tackle the problems and benefit from these opportunities in our march towards our vision? In particular, what is the role of NGOs and educational processes in realsing this vision?<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This blog is an opportunity to explore different dimensions and viewpoints pertaining to the questions mentioned above.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17045174311050047608noreply@blogger.com0