In the News
Honorable Finance Minister, Shri. P. Chidambaram and Shri. N.R. Narayanamurthy felicitate Awardees at the 2nd National India NGO Awards 2007
An Initiative by The Resource Alliance and The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation to recognize developmental excellence and credibility in the voluntary sector
Press Release
New Delhi, March 5, 2008
The Honorable Finance Minister, Shri. P. Chidambaram felicitated Goonj.. as the ‘NGO of the Year 2007’ at the Annual India NGO Awards ceremony organized by The Resource Alliance and The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation in the capital today. These Awards were instituted in the year 2006 to recognize best practices in resource mobilization, accountability and transparency amongst the voluntary sector in India. The awards function also saw Shri. N. R. Narayanamurthy, CEO & Chief mentor, Infosys Technologies Ltd. share the dais as the guest of honor.
“There is a strong need to bring up the standards of accounting and governance in the social sector. These awards will further encourage the Non Profit sector to exhibit excellent work towards Developmental excellence in accordance with the National Policy on the voluntary sector and ensure sustainability of a programme in the long run,
” said Shri. Chidambaram addressing the gathering at the awards function.
This year The Resource Alliance and The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation collaborated with COVA, Gram Vikas and SP Jain Institute of Management and Research to select and award the ‘Best NGO of the Year 2007’ in India. Three finalists were selected from each of the four regions—North, South, East and West basis their fundraising capabilities categorized as small, medium and large. The nominees were evaluated on effective and sustainable mobilization of resources from the local community, demonstration of efficient management of resources, good governance practices, transparency and accountability and the impact of the services it provides to its beneficiaries. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Simon Collings, CEO, The Resource Alliance, said, “The India NGO Awards were launched with the aim of motivating NGOs in India, promoting financial and organizational stability, and strengthening community support of civil society, by recognizing the excellent work that they do in the voluntary sector.
”
The Awards come as great news for the Awardees who underwent a rigorous process of audits and multiple rounds of elimination conducted by the knowledge partners Grant Thornton and the eminent panel of jury members comprising of Mr. Ramesh Ramanathan (founder of Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy), Dr. Syeda Hameed (Member—Planning Commission, Government of India), Dr. Maxine Olson (United Nations Resident Coordinator), Mr. Deep Joshi (co-founder and former Executive Director of PRADAN), Mr. Vinod Chandiok (National Chairman of Grant Thornton India).
Amongst the 12 regional finalists were Goonj.., Dream A Dream, The Banyan, Childline Foundation of India, Deepalya, CRY & CEE, BISWA to name a few. The three National winners are Goonj.. in the Small Category, The Banyan and The Childline Foundation of India tied in the Medium Category and CRY in the Large Category.
The Awardees have been presented a trophy and a cash prize amount of Rs. 4, 00,000. Goonj was also awarded as the ‘NGO of the year’ and was presented an additional prize amount of Rs. 2,00,000. “These awards have promoted the cause of Non-profit organizations like ours and have given us a platform to adopt transparent and accountable systems of governance and management,
” said Mr. Anshu K. Gupta, Goonj.. while receiving the Award.
Mr. Don Mohanlal, President, The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation concluded that, “This forum will be a strong force for the Non Profit Sector to contribute to positive changes and encourage other such organizations to focus on professional management and innovation in local resource mobilization. It is only these organizations whose work can help achieve a benchmark for financial sustenance in the social sector and they must be given the right incentives.
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About The Resource Alliance
The Resource Alliance (formerly International Fundraising Group), established in 1981, is a non-profit and a registered charity based in the UK. The Mission of the Resource Alliance is to build the fundraising capacity of civil society organisations worldwide. Their flagship event is the International Fundraising Congress, now in its 26th year, attracts over 900 delegates each year. For the past two decades the organisation has run a programme of regional fundraising workshops and other educational and training activities in most areas of the world.
About The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation
The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation is an Indian public charitable trust. The mission is to develop and promote institutions and initiatives that make a substantial impact on poverty, deprivation and disempowerment of the human and natural environment. The Foundation’s approach is long-term, strategic and leveraged to bring about change through multi-stakeholder collaboration, both within India and internationally. Their initiatives are socially inclusive, with special emphasis on issues that involve women and children and they believe in the involvement all elements of the community.
