166.4
CIVIL Society and Development Perspectives
Voluntary action is an age old phenomenon in the Indian social landscape. In the past, say before colonial era it was embedded with cultural view, traditional values, social ethos which commonly atomized as humanistic, idealistic commonly act as bridging the gap of unjust social system. But in recent years, especially with the initiation of liberalisation, globalisation and privatisation, the formal Voluntary Organisation (VO) is emerging as key players in the plan development process initiated by the government. Currently, they have acquired as ‘third sector’ for innovative approach, flexible structure, ability to reach the unreached, dedicative, committed, capacity to mobilise the local initiatives. In light of such scenario, a study was conducted to comprehend voluntary organisation’s application of own ideology, autonomy and accountability in implementation of various development programs under domain of child development, women empowerment and natural resource management supported by national and international aid agencies in the backward Marathwada region of Maharashtra State, India. The overall findings states that the development programmes are not demand driven rather supply driven through voluntary organisation which mostly eluded own independent vision, values, autonomy in planning and implementation; commonly adhere to financers agenda , policy prescription and governance. Similarly, the experience, ideas, views, knowledge, of target groups and specific needs of the region is hardly considered while operating the programs. Such one side approach, in fact, lead to over look inherent raising inequality, regional disparity, abject poverty, rampant casteism, growing exploitation, gender inequality, etc of the region. The VO as a ‘catalytic’ agency is largely lost in addressing these vital social issues and follows sect oral approach which do not encompass the entire fabric of human development system within which they live and survive, thus, fall short of bringing justice and ending unjust social system.
ProfUmeshSahoo