Social Initiatives: How they are creating a better world
Introduction
Over the years, social initiatives have been emanating and flourishing globally. Corporates, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Individual entities have been rolling out their initiatives backed by government policies and support or out of sheer goodwill. While some of the programs are done to extend the organisation's helping hand to the socially backward, few people do more than their share to reach out to the underprivileged.
In this blog, we try to answer its importance and see a few global and Indian initiatives that have benefitted society and are fighting to make this world a better place.
What is Social Initiative?
Social Initiatives refer to those steps or endeavours aimed at helping, sustaining, growing, and promoting society. The programmes of establishing societal equity, improving access to opportunities for everyone, encouraging sustainable behaviours, promoting sustainability are various social initiatives.
Suppose you see an NGO in an awareness campaign, a doctor providing medical facilities for free to the poor, or a company sponsoring an orphanage. In that case, you are witnessing the working of a social initiative. Whenever you hear the word Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), you know they are talking about social enterprises.
Instead of depending on an external agent/agency, the impacted people form their own Self Help Groups (SHGs). SHGs pool resources and work for the benefit of the members.
You may have seen or heard about Community Kitchens. Well, they are social initiatives under the Self Help Groups or Social Organisations.
There are umpteen varieties of initiatives taken targeting a different group of people.
Why is Social Initiative important?
There is nothing new about People or Organisations taking up Social Initiatives. Nor is it seen only in third world countries. These initiatives had been prevalent for a long time globally. Companies have been doing their CSR activities. Social campaigns were organised by NGOs, and relief measures were rolled out by government agencies in the long past.
Why are we talking about Social Initiatives now? The world around is witnessing a rise in unemployment. The gap between the haves and the have-nots is increasing, especially in a post-pandemic world. Unless steps are taken to bridge the gaps and to provide equitable opportunities to grow, the scenario will turn from bad to worse.
Some examples of social initiatives
Countless examples are existing in and around us. I have tried to highlight a few examples of the initiative by individuals and companies below:
Toms Shoes:
There's an exciting story behind TOM Shoes' owner Blake Mycoskie and his decision towards starting the One for One Campaign.
Seeing few Argentinian kids barefooted left a lasting impression on him, and that's when he decided to help those in need. His One for One Campaign provides one pair of shoes to the poor. He has distributed around 60 Million shoes globally and began many other initiatives to provide Eyecare, safe water etc. Their website talks about giving a third of their profits for grassroots good, i.e. providing financial opportunities where service is scarce.
Their story is a perfect example of how one single incident leaves a lasting impression on anyone.
Samsung Electronics:
In their Sustainability Report 2020, Samsung Electronics mention the steps they have taken in the pandemic to ensure their employees, customers, and suppliers' safety by adhering to COVID protocols.
SE had also added a Hand Wash Application in their Galaxy Watch to remind the user to wash hands. They have partnered with CISCO to develop 'WEBEX' – a video-conferencing application to reduce the number of physical meetings. Other steps include assisting in mask production and helping take education online in Italy, Russia, Panama, Spain, Brazil, and Chile. They have provided tablets to needy children in South Korea and Spain.
Dr Neelam Mohan:
BC Roy National Award Winner Dr Neelam Mohan is a reputed Paediatric Gastroenterologist and Liver Specialist who is the Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Liver Transplantation at Medanta.
Dr Neelam runs a myriad of social initiatives. She runs regular clinics and health camps for children for free of costs. From 2017 onwards, she runs several programs on hepatitis B & C control and awareness programmes. She founded CHILD society (Children Intestinal and Liver Disease Society) which spreads public awareness, physician CME, and aids in health management of children’s GI diseases.
These are a few of the many initiatives she has started or is a part of. You can find more about her and her social initiatives, achievements and the like here.
Akshay Patra Foundation:
With the mission to eradicate classroom hunger, Akshay Patra and NGO was formed to help implement the Mid-day Meal Scheme in government and government-aided schools. Since the year 2000, they have been providing meals to school children. From a mere 1500 children, they are now feeding about 1.8 million children from their 52 kitchens running across 12 states and 2 union territories. They have partnered with Government, Corporates, and other Institutions for running their scheme. Akshay Patra Org has achieved operational efficiencies through automation to meet the rising demand for food.
To learn more or donate, you can visit their website here.
Kailash Satyarthi Foundation:
Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi has saved more than eighty thousand children from slavery, child labour, and trafficking. KSF is a foundation for freeing the children of any kind of oppression and providing a happy and safe world. One of their primary social initiatives is the 100 million Campaign. This calls out to 100 million youth to rescue children from the clutches of child trafficking, providing them education and safety etc.
They also run programmes named "Child-friendly Villages" and "Child-Friendly Community". These programmes provide an ecosystem for the children's safety and developing the villages to make them more child friendly.
Conclusion
Whether the world is a good place or not is a subjective question. But if you ask whether there's anything that can make the world a better place to live, well, the answer is – Yes, there are many things you can do to better this world. This blog celebrates the efforts of those whose efforts have made an impact in this world. If you know any person or any such initiative, please reach out to us with their story.
If you want to be a part of something greater than yourself, you may help or volunteer for one of the organisations. Or you can reach out to the people in your vicinity. Let’s all give our effort to make this world a better place.
Let me know about the social initiatives undertaken near you. Please share your points in the comments section and shout out to the people working selflessly and thank them for being the silver lining in these challenging times.
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