A Non-governmental Organization (NGO)

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Koshish An NGO with Humanitarian Role

Chaman Dohru

A Non-governmental Organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group which is organized on a local, national or international level to plug in the gaps left by the government. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor policies and encourage political participation through provision of information. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health. India as a nation still has a large population that is vulnerable in terms of health, education, jobs and opportunities in general. This has also seen a large proliferation of NGOs. By some estimates, India has 3.3 million NGOs or one NGO for every 400 individuals. Out of it, 312 NGOs operate in Himachal alone. Himachal This Week has tried to bring to fore the working of genuine NGOs who work for the welfare of masses. This week will find the mention of the appreciable efforts of Koshish, Paprola which is working for the welfare of people in Paprola and Baijnath.

The NGO acts on social welfare projects as soon as it collects sufficient funds for the activity from its members and public. The NGO will continue the good work in future too.

-Ankit Sood, President, Koshish, Paprola

Stress on Basic Issues

Koshish came into being in 2006 when 19 people from the area decided to take a step forward for the welfare of the society. The NGO initiated its welfare activities from its head office in Paprola. “The founder members of the organization decided to run the welfare activities without any government help and the NGO started its social welfare activities with each member of the organisation contributing Rs. 200 per month to the welfare fund of NGO,” told Ankit Sood, Founder and present President of the NGO to Himachal This Week. The first welfare step of NGO was to ensure filling of vacant posts of doctors in the government hospital in Baijnath. The organization launched a drive for the same and posted about 5000 post cards to the state health minister with the help from local people. Efforts of the NGO materialised and the vacant posts were filled by the state government providing relief to the local people. The NGO also improved the deteriorating condition of ‘shamshaan ghat’ (cremation ground) on the bank of Binwa River damaged due to heavy rains. The NGO spent about five lakh rupees, with help and contribution from people, to improve the situation of ‘shamshaan ghat’. The work to construct roof over the ‘shamshaan ghat’ with an expenditure of about one lakh is still going on. Apart from this, the NGO also carried out a plantation drive and planted 250 saplings in Shiva temple surroundings established in the middle of Binwa River to beautify the surroundings of temple. The organization spends two to three thousand rupees at a regular interval of two to three months to beautify the Shiva temple surroundings. It is the same temple where old shiva linga is established. The plantation of trees in the area also helped to stop soil erosion in the area. The organization is planning to create a beautiful location here soon. The NGO also organized numerous blood donation camps in the area and an eye check up camp in Chhota Bhangal. The NGO also extended helping hand to the victims of two fire incidents occurred in Paprola. The members of the organization also organize cleanliness drives and have undertaken the job of maintenance and cleaning of an ancient well near Baba Gian Dass Temple in Paprola. The NGO also created job opportunity for ten unemployed in the Ayurvedic Hospital in Paprola. The organization is continuing its good work in the area through the fund collected by the members.

Performance Meter of NGO

* Organised numerous blood donation and eye check up camps in the area.

* Helped in resolving the problem of health services by ensuring filling of vacant posts of doctors in the Government Hospital, Baijnath. The NGO posted about 5000 post cards to the health minister on the issue.

* Repaired and renovated the ‘shamshaan ghat’ on the bank of Binwa River with an expenditure of about six lakh rupees.

* Planted about 250 saplings in the Shiva temple surroundings established in the middle of Binwa river to stop soil erosion and beautify the surroundings of temple.

*   Helped the victims of fire incidents affected in two fire incidents in Paprola