India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians: Progress in Aiding India’s Welfare and Development

India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians: Progress in Aiding India’s Welfare and Development

Question : The India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians recently held a meeting supervised by MEA minister Sushma Swaraj. Discuss the key progress made by the institution as a credible avenue to enable overseas Indians to aid in India’s welfare and social development.

• India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians is a not for profit trust to serve as an avenue for overseas Indians to engage in philanthropic efforts to supplement social justice and welfare in India

• Resources of overseas Indians are channeled into national development and social projects

• Trust comprises a Board of Trustees and ED; the foundation is chaired by MEA

• The institution works towards leading overseas Indian philanthropy into India and facilitating partnerships through single window facilitation and strengthening philanthropic collaborations

• The foundation also establishes and maintains a ‘Social Capital and Philanthropy Network’ on India that can give a list of credible projects, programmes and institutions in the field

• It will also function as a clearing house for data pertaining to philanthropy

• Partnering with credible philanthropic organisations for meeting welfare and social development needs of India is another major area where this foundation has made progress

• It also promotes transparency, accountability and best practices in overseas Indian philanthropy

• The institution is collaborating with foreign, national and state level NGOs and state as well as local self government institutions for initiating social welfare

• 33 NGOs from 7 states have confirmed participation with this institution

• Projects initiated by this foundation include:
- Skills development
- Local self governance
- Educational initiatives for children
- Health initiatives
- Livelihood creation and sustainable agriculture
- Vocational training programmes for differently abled and visually challenged

Facts and Stats

• Since 2011, the institution has channelized contribution from overseas donors towards social development projects and programmes in Gujarat, Assam and Rajasthan in diverse areas such as women’s education, water conservation and sustainable livelihood

• Various projects have been initiated by the foundation for India’s flagship programmes such as
Swachh Bharat, Namami Gange and more

• The institution has identified 7 global zones where diaspora are concentrated for meeting

• The foundation will also perform outreach projects in the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas