Zafar Aafaq
SRINAGAR
Lauding the role of NGO sector in “reviving” lives in conflict Valley, civil society of Kashmir Thursday observed that socio-economic issues of orphans are increasing day-by-day.
Speaking during annual day celebration of JK Yateem Foundation (JKYF) at Tagore Hall here, speakers asserted that the “social audit” of orphanages working in Kashmir needs to be done. “The issues of credibility and trust deficit need to be taken seriously,” they said.
During his speech, former CIC G R Sofi said that a need about “accountability and transparency” in social service sector has arisen “given the rise of NGOs” in the sector.
“Since non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been delivering on socio-economic front but do not fall under the ambit of Right to Information Act (RTI) but they should have their own system of transparency,” he said. “People are reluctant to give charity to some organizations due credibility issues.”
He campaigned for “responsibility and transparency” to “dominate” such charity organizations.
Recommending that charity organizations should make their income and expenditure public on their websites once or twice a year, he said, “it will make their service transparent and help them group.”
Asking these such organizations to get registered with government for tax exemption, he said, “taking such steps will help them will become credible in public.”
Moulana Arshid Nadvi, guest of honour on the occasion, talked about contribution of Muslims in social service sector.
Citing social service instinct and selflessness of companions of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) because of which “Islam spread so quickly”, he appealed people to follow the teachings of the Last Prophet (SAW) to succeed in this and the life hereafter.
The program moderator Javed Jawad informed the audience that the foundation runs various programs like Higher Education Scholarship Program (HESP), Girls Upliftment in Domestic Environment (GUIDE), and Marriage for Orphan Girls Program, Al-Hilal Diagnostic Center.
Justice (Rtd) Bashir Ahmad Kirmani, who was Chief Guest on the occasion, said, “different charity organizations working in Kashmir should join hands to work together so that each issue can be tackled in a better way following the concept of divisional of labour.”
Senior Journalist Altaf Hussain was guest of Honour at the event who talked about the issue of Juvenile Delinquency. Hussain said, “the orphans in the orphanages should be treated with love and compassion.” “These orphans not only need physical but also emotional support to make them feel dignified.”
A film titled “Ehsaas-e-Shafqat-Together with Orphans, Widows, Destitute-Part-II” was screened and a bilingual magazine “EHSAAS-2016” was released on the occasion.
