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It is important for non-Government organisations (NGOs) to leverage opportunities for scale. Also, NGOs need to have a vision, time frame and work towards it, pointed out speakers at the Development Dialogue 2011.
Development Dialogue 2011 is an initiative of the Hubli-based Deshpande Foundation, where NGOs and social organisations come together to discuss problems faced by them.
Speaking on this year's theme ‘Leveraging Opportunities for Scale', Ms Smita Mankad, Managing Director, Artisans Micro Finance (a subsidiary of FabIndia), said, “It is important for an organisation to have a vision and work towards achieving it. The organisation should also be ready for moving targets every year.”
“Vision is one and execution is another important aspect. Keeping it going on a day-to-day basis is equally important,” she added.
The FabIndia experience
Narrating the experience of FabIndia, Ms Mankad said, “The company came up to provide a platform for traditional Indian art/craft and textiles abroad. Sensing opportunity during the Nineties' retail revolution, we entered the domestic market.”
“By making the right changes and moving in early, we were able to ride the Indian retail revolution sweeping the country. From about eight stores about 10 years ago, we have grown to 135 stores spread across 45 cities,” she added.
Healthcare
Sharing the healthcare experience in tier II and III cities, Dr Ashwin Naik, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vaatsalya Healthcare, said, “The hospital group is scaling up operations in small towns and villages. At present, we have 11 hospitals in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and are targeting more hospitals based on the doctor recruitment in those areas.”
“For this exercise, we are targeting local doctors and are in the processing of identifying doctors of the regions working elsewhere,” he added.
Microfinance
Dr H. L. Manjunath, Executive Director, SKDRDP, an NGO that takes up rural development projects, said, “The foundation till 2001 was dependent on Shree Dharmastala temple for survival. Now by preparing a road map for 10 years, we have grown from 80 people covering 80 villages in Belthangadi taluk in Dakshina Kannada to 6,000 villages in coastal and north Karnataka districts.”
“Through successful microfinance initiatives for the last 10 years, we have funded many self-help groups (SHGs) in 8-9 districts and have exposure to Rs 950 crore covering 1.18 lakh people,” he added.
Sulabh
Scale and vision is important for an organisation, said Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder, Sulabh International. “By having a clear vision for the organisation, we were able to install over 1.2 million toilets and helped the Government of India construct 54 million toilets in the country.”
Mr Soumen Biswas, Executive Director, Pradan, an NGO working for rural upliftment, said, “Any reforms in the rural areas need clear vision and should be a long-term effort. To witness any changes, about 7-10 years' effort is required.”
“To scale up any initiatives impacting rural areas, the challenge is retaining and attracting volunteers. It is here we have begun to work with women to bring about a change at the household and village levels,” he added.
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