Sir,

This has reference to Bhamy Shenoy’s article on whether “Mysuru needs an NGO platform like the one provided by MGP” in SOM dated Feb. 20. The answer is most certainly, yes.

There is an urgent need for a stronger, more vibrant and a cohesive MGP (Mysore Grahakara Parishat) than what it is today for more than one reason.

One of the objectives that an NGO serves as observed by Shenoy is that it reflects more accurately the pulse and aspirations of the people. The information that it provides is more reliable compared to any another source. In a democracy, where getting elected to a public office is dependent on fulfilling people’s wishes and aspirations, a NGO’s service in providing this information is immense. Also because its members are better influencers to help secure more votes to deserving candidates.

Even more important is the comfort and security that an NGO provides to its members in the course of daily living. Being a part of a group is far safer than being unattached. A NGO platform could also be a source of collective wisdom and a place to go to when one feels short-changed by the system. To exist outside the support of a larger body like an NGO, life could be difficult as time goes by. Let me explain:

Not long ago a random online survey was carried out by a group of individuals to learn about the ease of meeting an elected representative or a government official in one’s individual capacity. Also whether one could get a job done in the government without spending money? 211 people took part in the survey. Though a small sample size, the trends observed was indicative.

To the question about the ease of meeting the elected representative or a government official, 53% of respondents felt that both were equally difficult. A shocking 63% said that they had to use a middle man to meet their elected representative. About getting one’s job done in the government, 56% of the respondents stated that they had to give a bribe. But should the applicant be member of a strong and credible NGO, the probability of having to pay a bribe is much lesser. Larger the NGO of which one is a part of, faster the response, greater the courtesy and higher the likelihood of a favourable order. This alone should justify the need for a platform like MGP.

The strength and credibility of an NGO can be assessed either by its longevity or the service it has rendered to the community. Using that as a yardstick, MGP’s existence for over three decades and the impressive long list of achievement is a cause to celebrate. It is proof of the wisdom of its founding members who put together a set of basic rules of governance that facilitated its longevity. Most importantly, its stress on placing humanity above individual interest and the ability to put aside individual differences and focus on service to society. Its fairness and usefulness is evident from the praise that political leaders, government functionaries and media have showered from time to time. If the city has been considered the cleanest city more than once, saved its water bodies, safeguarded the greenery, stopped polluting industrial wastes entering lakes and water bodies, MGP has had a role in it. It has joined hands or supported other NGOs in the city in their effort to enhance the beauty and health of the city.

The activeness and vibrancy of MGP has visibly declined since the last many months. While some of it could be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, it could be also due to various other reasons. Having said that, it is necessary to find ways to bring back the vibrancy of the organisation which is so very important both to its own members and to the community at large. There are democratic ways to revive it to its once glory days. As rightly suggested by the author, younger people should be enrolled and play a more important role in its activity. The average age of its current members is sixty years or more ! Should MGP grow in strength with more younger people participating, it can become a stronger platform to attract increased attention from senior personnel in the administration and from the political class. Restoring MGP’s health and vibrancy should become the immediate mission not just by its charter members but through the collective wisdom of its entire membership.

Last but not the least, had the founders of MGP anticipated a situation when the controls of the NGO comes into the hands of a group of people who forget the greater cause and reduce it to an entity devoid of its potency, a plan B could have saved the day. Alas, there is no end to learning !

– Ashvini Ranjan, Jayalaksmipuram, 22.2.2021

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