How can an NGO bring positive change in society?

‘Giving back to society’ is not an unheard phrase; in fact, it is quite clichéd. Right from top legislators to the common man, everybody has spoken about and heard of this phrase time and again. So, what does it actually mean? To put it simply, ‘giving back to society’ means helping the needy. We all live in a society and the society provides for us. We are dependent on our community and environment for all our need. So, in turn, it becomes our responsibility to take care of our fellow human beings and our life-sustaining environment. It is no surprise that inequality and difference exists all around us: some are extravagantly wealthy whereas some are struck by poverty, some have the luxury to a lavish spread of fine gourmet whereas some sleep and wake up to extreme hunger, some breathe in fresh air whereas some are struggling under the blanket of soot, some are travelling far and wide to get education in the finest of institutions whereas some do not even have the opportunity to attend primary schooling. These are just a few dots on the huge map of the haves and have-nots. And, the phrase ‘giving back to society’ addresses this very imbalance so that the ‘haves’ step up to provide for the ‘have-nots’ through charity donation, time, skill, and specific resources.

One of the practical ways to channel charitable activities constructively is to get engaged with an NGO. NGOs are legally formed groups independent of government ownership or representation. Their scale of ranges from local to global level and encompasses concerns related to human development, conservation of the environment, animal welfare, and more. The operational structure of NGOs allows them to get involved more closely with a particular issue resulting in a more focussed way of dealing with an issue. And, this is also the reason why NGOs are more effective in bringing about a lasting change in the society. So when you donate charity or invest your time and resources in such organisations, it gives a whole new meaning to your contribution. Heeding to this impact and to increase the involvement of more people with different causes, the Government of India allows tax exemption in India for all donations made towards registered NGOs and charitable trusts under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. This means your donation will have a double advantage: first, it will help the NGO to make progress in their respective causes; and second, it will make you eligible to claim 100% or 50% exemption on the donated amount based on the defined criterions of the Income Tax Act.

One such organisation that has also been recognised as the top NGO by The Global Journal is The Akshaya Patra Foundation. In 2013, the Foundation was ranked 23rd among the top 100 NGOs featured in the 2013 edition of The Global Journal. Akshaya Patra is an Indian NGO running the world’s largest NGO-run school lunch programme. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, the Foundation provides freshly cooked nutritious meals to more than 1.6 million children across 34 locations in 12 states. Over the 17 years of its service, Akshaya Patra has observed significant changes in the schooling pattern of children from the economically disadvantaged background. There has been a rise in enrolment, improved attendance rate, improved health, better concentration, and more active participation of children in school activities. However, this would not have been possible without the support of government and philanthropic donors. With the aim to expand its reach and feed more children, the NGO directs all the received funds towards bettering processes and operations and providing wholesome meals to children.

The one meal that children receive on every school day allows them to hope for a better future. It allows them to continue schooling which makes them more confident to achieve their aims. This makes your charity donation a meaningful intervention in the healthy growth and development of young children, making them resourceful citizens of the country. And, the same donation exempts you from taxes too! Well then, wouldn’t it be a good choice to save tax by ‘giving back to society’?

On This Day of Happiness It’s Your Turn to Make a Child Happy!

Do you feel good after helping somebody? We’ve heard of many stories of happiness – helping the elderly cross the road, giving up seats for those in need, donating books to a family, and many more! Most stories are about finding kindness in strangers and many such incidents teach us the meaning of inner joy.

International Day of Happiness 2017 is here which aims to create a happier world together. As we celebrate the day of happiness on March 10, 2017, we would like to highlight two important actions that can give you abundant happiness! In her book ’10 Keys to Happier Living’ Vanessa King talks about 10 different actions that you can take to live a happier life. These actions, in short, are called Great Dream; G stands for Giving and M stands for Meaning.

We believe every child deserves to be happy and experience the innocence of childhood. As an NGO in India providing mid-day meals to school children from government schools and government-aided schools, we have made a difference by serving over 2 billion meals in the last 16 years. Today, we would like to elaborate on Vanessa King’s book and talk about the two actions that can help us build a happier society by immersing in the feeling ourselves.

Giving

According to Action for Happiness movement, ‘Giving’ means ‘doing things for others’ and has been described as “Helping others is not only good for them and a good thing to do; it also makes us happier and healthier too. Giving also connects us to others, creating stronger communities and helping to build a happier society for everyone. And it's not all about money - we can also give our time, ideas and energy. So if you want to feel good, do good!”

Meaning

Action for Happiness movement describes it as to ‘be a part of something bigger’. In Vanessa’s words, “It might be our religious faith, being a parent or doing a job that makes a difference. The answers vary for each of us but they all involve being connected to something bigger than ourselves.”

Combining two of Vanessa’s suggestions for a happier life, Akshaya Patra urges you to give children a happier life. We believe two things should not be robbed from childhood – food and education. To ensure this, Akshaya Patra began Food for Education programme in the year 2000 and today, we are the world’s largest NGO-run feeding programme.

Sponsor a child today and tell us what happiness is for a child because it’s your turn to make a difference. Your donations to our charity will give you a 100% tax exemption. However, you are also welcome individuals to volunteer in our kitchens and schools.

Charity donation – A Noble Endeavour Paired with Tax Benefits

The financial year-end is around the corner – an event that causes much anxiety to a majority of us. Why not round it off with a noble deed that will benefit you in more ways than one! We’re talking about charity donation. Giving back to society is one of the best ways of expressing your gratefulness for all that you have received and share some of your good fortune with those who are in need of assistance to better their lives. This is the perfect time to make that essential difference to the lives of your young friends who are beneficiaries of The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Its Mid-Day Meal Programme ensures that over 1.6 million children across India stay away from classroom hunger, with a nutritious, wholesome, unlimited school lunch every day. You can avail tax exemption with your valuable contribution to the cause of ‘unlimited food for education’.   

The NGO role in India is one of vital support to the government in helping fight the pressing challenges facing the country. Akshaya Patra too fulfills its role in social betterment, in partnership with State and Central governments in India. A donation made to the organisation brings it a step closer to achieving its important mission of feeding 5 million children by 2020. It also helps you avail tax exemption in India, as Akshaya Patra is registered under section 35AC of the Income Tax Act 1961. Therefore, every donation upwards of Rs 500 is eligible for 100% tax exemption under Section 80GGA.

In a bid to scale up its efforts to feed a larger number of children across the country, Akshaya Patra needs the collective support of all of you urgently. The Foundation has undertaken ambitious efforts to expand its reach across India. In December 2016, we laid the foundation of our first high-tech mega kitchen in Telangana at Khandi. Once operational, this kitchen will feed over 1,00,000 children in the region from the next academic year. In the same month, the Foundation also initiated the process of setting up 11 new kitchens in Uttar Pradesh. These kitchens will be established in the districts of Varanasi, Ghaziabad, Agra, Allahabad, Kanpur, Etawah, Kannauj, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Rampur and Ballia. This will take the number of Akshaya Patra’s beneficiary children in the state to 13 lakh, from the current 2,11,680. This will lead to an increase of a whopping 10,88,320 children that will be nourished by the Foundation’s meals!

In order to expand and grow sustainably, Akshaya Patra relies on the large-hearted backing of generous individuals who are as zealous about eliminating classroom hunger as the government and the Foundation are. Not only does ‘food for education’ ensure that India’s children – its future – are nourished well and have their stomachs full, it also positively affects attendance and enrollment. The Mid-Day Meal Programme is an incentive with that comes with triangular benefits for children, on their health, education and nourishment! The impact of supporting this cause on your life will be doubly large – not only would you have the pleasure of having contributed to secure the future of the nation’s children, you would also beget a wonderful advantage in return – that of 100% tax exemption in India!