Prime Minister labels foreign funded NGOs anti-development: Response by Dr Rajesh Tandon

Dear Colleagues

I am writing this letter to you in deep anguish, as I read and hear about the numerous allegations and comments on ‘foreign funding’ of NGOs during the last couple of days.

This is neither a letter of protest nor defense; it is a mere sharing of my own anguish after hearing the comments from such a distinguished  scholar and seasoned administrator as Dr Man Mohan Singh. More than a decade ago, Dr Singh served as the Chair of the Commonwealth Task Force on Democracy & Development where he eloquently argued for the role of civil society; he reiterated  similar views in 2003 when he released the first ever survey of the non-profit sector in India (‘Widespread, yet Invisible’: PRIA); more recently, his cabinet approved the first ever National Policy on Voluntary Sector in July 2007.

What has ‘driven’ him to make these observations? I do not know the details of the protest going on against this nuclear plant, nor can speak authoritatively about the sources of funding behind that movement. However, I do know authoritatively that foreign funding over the last three decades has supported the evolution of hundreds of world class development institutions in this country.

Hon’ble Prime Minister’s comments in this manner at this juncture have created a public perception that can readily ‘de-legitimise’ the contributions made towards India’s development by such institutions of global excellence.

Over the past three decades, hundreds of NGOs have contributed immensely to the development in this country, with support from development funding from OECD countries. SEWA in Gujarat, Child-in-Need-Institute (CINI) in West Bengal, SWRC and Seva Mandir in Rajasthan, RDT and MV Foundation in AP, MYRADA in Karnataka, Gram Vikas & CYSD in Orissa, SPARC  in Maharashtra, Centre for Women’s Development Studies, Centre for Science & Environment, PRADAN and Development Alternatives in Delhi—these are just a few of those NGOs whose work has influenced development of policies and programmes of the governments in India and is widely respected around the world for innovativeness and quality.

I can authoritatively say that these, and many hundreds of other NGOs, have not compromised their autonomy, perspectives and principles in pursuit of development that is based on values of justice, equity and inclusion; they have received foreign and Indian funding in order to develop programmes, practices and capacities  that have improved the relevance and effectiveness of government’s own development policies and programming.

Such autonomous, professional and committed NGOs are necessary institutions in democratic development of our country.

The most unfortunate implication of PM’s observations is that the contributions of a life-time of work and building of globally credible non-governmental development institutions are now going to be dismissed, deligitimised and devalued.

I share this anguish with you in the spirit of solidarity.

Rajesh Tandon

Founder-President, Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA)