Karmayog

Karmayog.org www.karmayog.org is a unique free platform for concerned citizens -for social and civic issues -since June 2004. This is a unique organisation which connects citizens, corporates, civil society groups, media, etc through online and offline methods. It has directory of civil society organisations in India and also has a very active online discussion group. The concept of this organisation is indeed unique. Its website is highly informative. This type of initiative can be seen as important, because it helps establish inter-linkages between different bodies/ organisations so that a constructive and fruitful debate can take place. Karmayog provides a networking platform for ordinary citizens and NGOs to engage with each other, and with government, media, Corporates, institutions, etc. Through this, different viewpoints of the civil society are exchanged and enable a holistic and doable approach for social and civic problems. As defined in the first two paragraphs, the task of Karmayog.org is primarily providing a platform & a collection of resources regarding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to Corporates, SMEs, NGOs, government, civil society etc. The role it takes on is that of a large resource center which may be accessed by everyone. The work domain of Karmayog was initially Bombay or Mumbai, where it engaged itself with the CSR activities of corporates & industries locally. During the Mumbai floods of 26th July 2005, Karmayog along with the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) played an important role in facilitating the rehabilitation efforts by setting up an online communication portal to coordinate relief efforts. On 27th July itself, Karmayog.org - a flood resource website was set-up, which included needs and offers of materials, services, volunteers and money. The flooding crisis in Mumbai showed that there is no established way for the Government authorities (or for anyone else, including NGOs themselves,) to interact easily with a group, through which information to and from NGOs could be conveyed. Karmayog then took the initiative to set up a formal NGO Council comprising more than 60 leading NGOs representing the breadth and depth of the NGO sector. The objective is for NGOs to be included in Government program and policy planning at the state level, as well as implementation and delivery of Government services to the public. This initiative is being well-received. Karmayog is the Convening NGO of the NGO Council, which has entered into a MoU with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to collaborate on civic issues. The NGO council and its activities still appear to be limited to Mumbai & Maharashtra. Because of its growing popularity, Karmayog.org however also began focusing on CSR activities of companies and corporates across India; due to large media coverage of Karmayog’s activities its CSR – rating appears to have gained a large audience in the subcontinent. The website has also become an online resource to follow emerging CSR – trends in India and articles & standards from other developmental agencies are also published there. Bibliography o www.hindustantimes.com o www.timesofindia.com o www.karmayog.org o http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200905/1241412310.html o http://www.business-humanrights.org/Categories/Individualcompanies/T/TataConsultancyServicespartofTataGroup