How good are we at giving? Are we good mannered enough for the commonwealth games? Are we hospitable to guests? The media and even politicians have started asking the right questions to the amazement of the common man.

What is more a survey undertaken recently by a national daily and based on the replies of around 1000 respondents from eight cities of this nation indicate that an overwhelming majority of the urban youth ‘think of themselves as charitable.’ A majority of them (72 per cent) believe that help should go to the needy, irrespective of their community or religious labels.

Certainly we are not to be taken in. The ‘luxury-loving, fatty youths of the middle class can hardly be the kind of people to think of others or shed tears over the wretched of this earth. The ‘me- first generation are good entertainers promoting cricket and fashion. Quite likely another similar survey might reveal facts that upset present findings about their charitable inclination!

That is not the point. Even in the vast ocean of indifference, if a few have begun to think of helping the poor by engaging in some kind of voluntary work improving slum conditions or promoting adult literacy or providing money to NGOs engaged in social work, it is valuable for its ‘demonstrative effect. When Sachin Tendulkar or a Hollywood icon like Shilpa Shetty does some charity, their fans too will be inclined to imitate or at least give thought to such ways.

The genesis of the movement christened ‘joy of giving’ has its origin in the enterprising genius of one Venkat Krishnan, an IIM-A graduate. Conceived in 1999, GiveIndia is managed by a team of professionals who have earlier worked with various corporate and now have dedicated their careers to making a difference. Registered on April 28, 2000, as a non-profit organization under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, in Ahmedabad, it has since inception mobilized over 75,000 donors across the globe, thereby making an impact over a million lives by supporting 200 plus organizations. It is claimed that GiveIndia has scrutinized around 3000 non-profit organizations from all over the country applying various canons of trustworthiness for selecting the 200 organizations for the scheme.

Myriad ways:
There are myriad of ways in which sections of the community could be organized to extend help to weaker sections and the poor. Donating money to accredited NGOs online, collecting clothes, toys, utensils, dry rations and various other material in kind to be distributed among the needy. Volunteers can be organized from local communities to offer their time and skill to solve specific local problems. And when such a spirit of volunteerism spreads throughout this land, the impact will be considerable.

There are already instances of colleges and hospitals adopting, villages and communities for focused social work meeting or empowering locals to meet specific needs. If the increasing number of technological institutions and corporate houses take lead in awakening and empowering social consciousness the results must be amazing. A few enlightened leaders should only provide the initiative for such action.

There are several developments which if pursued further will be able to accelerate the progress towards social development. The Right to Information Act is a weapon to expose corrupt practices in politics and bureaucracy; civil society organizations should be strengthened to detect violations of rights and cases of exploitation and oppression.

However it should be recognized that there are powerful material and market forces at work unleashing the competitive spirit wherein profits become the all consuming passion and money the measuring rod of human worth. The printed word and the visual media all become instruments to satisfy man’s ever increasing desire to be entertained.

Church’s role:
The Church has played a vital role in checking such trends preaching always against too much preoccupation with possessions and the need to be charitable towards the poor. Its foray into the fields of education and health care was particularly intended to empower the weaker sections to meet the challenges of life.

Of late there have been attempts to malign the charitable and social activities of the Church by vested interests by propagating that all these activities are intended to convert the poor. It is a travesty of truth and should not discourage those engaged in transforming individuals and communities into agents of change to usher in justice and righteousness in society as a whole.

High growth rates and projected super power status are no panacea for the ills of the country, wherein gross inequalities prevail in the standards of living of the people . Corporate honchos draw ‘vulgar salaries’ while there are sections which are unable to meet even basic needs. ‘Growth with justice’ is a matter that must weigh with the men of conscience besides policy makers.

Fascist elements:
Then there are the forces of caste, regional and religious fanatics which threaten to break harmony. There has been a failure on the part of the central government to rein in extra-Constitutional authorities like Raj Thakaray, Togadia, and their ilk. Public opinion must be built up too against the failure to act against such fascist elements.

Christian education and educational institutions have nurtured a national outlook in children as against parochial tendencies and narrow divisive outlook promoted by pseudopatriots in this country. Norman Cousins, an author and journalist had succinctly explained the goal of education in these lines: “The new education must be less concerned with sophistication than compassion. It must recognize the hazards of tribalism. It must teach man the most difficult lesson of all—to look at someone anywhere in the world and be able to see the image of himself. The old emphasis upon superficial differences that separate peoples must give way to education for citizenship in the human community. With such an education and with such self-understanding, it is possible that some nation or people may come forward with the vital inspiration that men need no less than food. Leadership on this higher level does not require mountains of gold or thundering propaganda. It is concerned with human destiny. Human destiny is the issue. People will respond.”

India is a pluralistic society and a democracy. All communities, regardless of the differences are entitled to dignity and equality. India should be a place where every man feels safe and is treated with self respect regardless of his station in life. The famous affirmation that all men are created equal is also the understanding on which the Indian Constitution has been drawn up. And all governments exist to make it a reality and remove every element opposing this goal.