From the Editor

Kudankulam effect

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) constitute a critical element of civil society and it would be no exaggeration to say that they are, in fact, its main drivers.

Cover Story

Under Scanner

One of the noticeable strengths of India’s democracy are its Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), a voluntary action movement which is all encompassing in both quality and quantity. NGOs are firmly embedded in the country’s socio-economic life.

Now NGOs bear the burnt of govt agencies

The remark by the Prime Minister of India to a magazine blaming foreign NGOs for protests in India against nuclear reactors and GM crops is diversionary and disturbing.

Get state, groups on one platform

The roots of volunteerism lie in the very ethos of the Indian tradition, culture and understanding.

Selling India's poverty to make bucks

In the old days, leaders of NGO’s used to work in the field, dressed simply, lived in humble dwellings and had minimal salaries, sufficient for their most essential needs.

Half of the 3.2 million NGOs active

The Indian voluntary sector (or the NGO sector) is emerging to be a credible force in catalysing social and economic growth, particularly for masses at the ‘bottom of the economic pyramid’.

Definition of anti-national NGO unclear: Maja Daruwala

Maja Daruwala, the executive director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, an international NGO based in New Delhi, suggests officials not to tar everyone with the same brush. Excerpts:

Some global NGOs want to partition India: Rajiv Malhotra

Rajiv Malhotra serves on the board of governors of the India Studies Programme at the internationally famed University of Massachusetts and served as chairman for the Asian Studies Education Committee of the state of New Jersey.

Govt wakes to the perils of foreign money: Sanjeev Nayyar

Sanjeev Nayyar says NGOs could stimulate thought by undertaking original, innovative research and follow up action in a socio-cultural-environmental-education context. Pratham is a very successful NGO in the education space.

Crisis

Shortage blues

It is difficult to imagine that a country overstaffed with officials from the elite Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is actually short of bureaucratic hands in some of the most crucial states in the country.

Corruption

In the line of fire

Five years after multi-crore forest scams in Haryana surfaced, the case of whistle blower Sanjiv Chaturvedi has been found fit by the CBI to be investigated independently, reports Parimal Peeyush

Interview

The concept of diplomacy has changed: KV Rajan

Former member of the elite Indian Foreign Service (IFS) K V Rajan served as India’s ambassador in a number of world capitals, holding important positions in the ministry of external affairs (MEA) in a career spanning more than 35 years in diplomacy.

Allies vs Governance

Coalition Blues

What could coalition politics in which parties with varying ideologies try to run a government do when in trouble? They intensify their fight with impinging repercussions for governance.

Debate

Of Rights and Duties

The appeal of democracy lies in its rights, privileges and freedom it bestows on its citizens. The recent upheavals in governance worldwide, the Spring Uprising or the Occupy Wall Street movement, are logical conclusions of democratic needs and its evolution.