2012 Annual Report - India Development and Relief Fund · privileged to share this Annual Report with you. In 2012, IDRF supported more than 30 programs in India and our first in

India Development and Relief Fund | 5821 Mossrock Drive, North Bethesda, MD 20852, USA|www.idrf.org

Bringing sustainable development to remote parts of India and Nepal

with a special focus on children and women

2012 Annual Report Celebrating 25 years of service

May 2013

India Development and Relief Fund | 5821 Mossrock Drive, North Bethesda, MD 20852, USA|www.idrf.org 1

Section Page

President’s Letter 2

News 3

Where We Work

A map of our current programs

6

Development Strategy 7

Finances 8

Continuing Programs

An in-depth, illustrative look at some of our continuing programs

12

New Programs

An in-depth, illustrative look at some of our new programs

16

Future Plans 19

Get Involved 21

Team 22

Annex: Snapshots from 25 Years of Service

23

Table of Contents


President’s Letter

Dear Friends,

I would like to thank you for the joy you have brought to underprivileged people

through your support of India Development and Relief Fund. Your steadfast

magnanimity enabled us to complete our 25th year of service in 2012. I feel

privileged to share this Annual Report with you.

In 2012, IDRF supported more than 30 programs in India and our first in Nepal;

some examples appear in the Continuing Programs and New Programs sections.

From Tamil Nadu to Jammu & Kashmir and from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh,

you helped us assist thousands of people, with better governance, education,

women’s empowerment, eco-friendly development, and healthcare.

How did my journey with IDRF begin? My wife Sarla and I came to the United States in the 1960s for higher

education and settled here. As a typical Indian couple, we kept in close contact with our family and friends back

home. When we founded IDRF, we went a step further – emotionally, rationally and spiritually – in connecting

our lives here with our roots.

Emotionally, Sarla and I are deeply bonded to the US – our adopted land for living and action (karmabhoomi) –

and to India – the land of our birth and ancestors (matrabhoomi). We feel immensely grateful to these two nations

for who we are today. Rationally, I consider myself privileged. While millions of Indian children were (and still

are) deprived of education, I received a quality education in India. This allowed me to study at MIT, work at the

World Bank, and lead a comfortable life in America. I felt I owed a debt to Indian society and I wanted to make a

difference in the lives of the underprivileged. Spiritually, I sought a deeper meaning in life beyond personal

accomplishments and material comforts. I am inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s message of “Nar seva narayan

seva.”

IDRF has been a focal point of all my quests for the last 25 years. And it has also become the culmination of my

dreams. Since its inception in 1988, we have greatly expanded our programs and built long-lasting relationships

with our partners in India. Along the way, I have discovered that people have an innate desire to do good.

No words can adequately express my immense gratitude to the donors who have put their trust in us. I am also

deeply thankful for the unstinting support of our volunteers and my family. Finally, I am grateful to our excellent

partner NGOs. I encourage everyone to visit our programs, to meet the hopeful and humble people who are

working to improve their lives despite trying circumstances.

2013 is the 150th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s birth, and his message still reverberates today. Let us

celebrate by addressing the vast challenges and opportunities that remain in India, Nepal, and elsewhere.

Thousands of people aspire for progress, and together we can help them realize their dreams.

Sincerely,

Dr. Vinod Prakash

Founder and President


News

IDRF Becomes a CFC Organization

In 2012, IDRF became a part of the Combined Federal Campaign,

the country’s largest workplace giving campaign. The CFC enables

federal and military employees to donate to a network of strictly

vetted charities. In fall 2012, federal employees were introduced to

IDRF for the first time – and they pledged over $36,000. We will

participate in the 2013 CFC. Our code is #18889.

Revitalized Our Board, Staff, and Volunteers

IDRF has reenergized its team with new members and expertise. We are fortunate to be joined by talented

operations and communications specialists and program coordination staff. We also welcomed new volunteers

to assist with IT. Finally, our mix of new and existing board members is generating exciting new ideas.

New Ways to Connect Online

In 2012, we launched a brand-new website. Please visit the site and send us your thoughts. We also

revitalized our Facebook page, joined YouTube and started sending email updates. We launched our Annual

Campaign online for the first time, which connected donors to our convenient online donation system.

MD and CA State Employees Support IDRF

In 2012, IDRF participated in the Maryland and California state employee campaigns for the first time.

A young woman visits a clinic as part of our self-help group program in Haryana

http://www.idrf.org/

http://www.facebook.com/IDRFUSA

http://www.youtube.com/user/IDRFUS


Healthcare

Governance

Children’s education


Women’s Empowerment

Eco-friendly Rural Development


A map of our current programs

Program featured on IDRF website Other program

Where We Work


Why IDRF?

o 25 years of experience

o Facilitates donors’ dream projects

o Sends 95 cents of each donor dollar straight to

programs

o Partners with local NGOs with indigenous expertise in

socio-cultural and economic issues

o Co-finances programs to encourage self-sufficiency

o Dedicated to transparency and accountability

Development Strategy

Grassroots development for the people, of the people and by the people

IDRF puts power, not charity, in the hands of the underprivileged. Millions of poor Indians suffer not just

from material deprivation but from years of social marginalization, too. We work, primarily, in rural and tribal

communities across India, and most recently, in Nepal, and empower people with the resources, skills and

confidence needed for sustainable development.

Sustainable development requires addressing the

varied needs of communities, so our programs are

multidimensional. They cut across six broad areas:

Children’s Education, Women’s Empowerment,

Eco-friendly Rural Development, Healthcare,

Governance, and Disaster Rehabilitation. Our

programs are designed with a special focus on

children and women, who are powerful drivers of

development. We serve people regardless of

religion or caste.

IDRF provides grants to local non-

governmental organizations (NGOs) to

implement its programs. These NGOs are run by

dedicated people with low overhead. We vet each

organization to ensure that it has a record of

success, maintains accountability and complies

with respective national laws. By working directly with NGOs, we save operation costs and donors’ money.

We are also able to inculcate habits of community service, self-help and philanthropy at the grassroots level.

We engage with the same NGOs for many years, developing close relationships and continually refining our

programs so they are cost-effective and replicable. Nearly every IDRF program is co-financed by the

partner NGO and the program’s beneficiaries.

IDRF also works one-on-one with non-

resident Indians and other philanthropists

to help them realize their dreams of giving

back to society. We help donors support

specific Indian NGOs or establish new ones.

We nurture these programs for years so they

can reap maximum benefits for impoverished

people. These programs become an enduring

testament to the donors’ passion for bringing

a change.

A one-teacher school for tribal children in Jharkhand

http://www.idrf.org/our-projects/focus-areas-2/childrens-education/

http://www.idrf.org/our-projects/focus-areas-2/womens-empowerment-and-gender-parity/

http://www.idrf.org/our-projects/focus-areas-2/ecofriendly-rural-development/

http://www.idrf.org/our-projects/focus-areas-2/healthcare/

http://www.idrf.org/our-projects/focus-areas-2/combating-corruption-and-promoting-good-governance/

http://www.idrf.org/our-projects/focus-areas-2/relief-rehabilitation-and-public-works/


$592,000 $500,000

$715,000 $841,000

$1,144,000

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Year

Funds raised, 2008-12 rounded to the nearest thousand

Thanks to donors like you, IDRF raised over $1.1 million in 2012. Your generosity enables us

to improve many more people’s lives.

2012 Changes and Activities in Net Assets

Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted

Total

SUPPORT AND REVENUE

Contribution Income 451,124 669,020 1,120,144

Investment Income 16,455 - 16,455

Special Events - 7,495 7,495

TOTAL REVENUE AND SUPPORT $ 467,579 $ 676,515 $ 1,144,094

EXPENSES

Program Services

Grants 323,605 762,995 1,086,600

Total Program Services 323,605 762,995 1,086,600

Functional Expenses

Management & General 32,327 - 32,327

Fundraising 9,685 - 9,685

Total Functional Expenses 42,012 - 42,012

TOTAL EXPENSES $ 365,617 $ 762,995 $ 1,128,612

All figures in this section are sourced from independently-audited financial statements and tax returns as prepared by

Desai & Shah, PC, CPAs of Germantown, MD.

Finances: Overview


Women's Empowerment &

Ecofriendly Development

$223,800 20%

Good Governance $75,000

7%

Healthcare $228,235

21%

Women's Colleges & Technical Education

$289,000 27%

Children's Education $270,565

25%

2012 Grants

Management $32,000

3%

Fundraising $10,000

1%

Program Services (Grants)

$1,087,000 96%

2012 Expenses rounded to the nearest thousand

IDRF sent over $1.08 million in grants to our programs in India, Nepal, and the US.

Finances: Expenses


Finances: 2012 Grant Distribution

An asterisk (*) indicates that the grant has been split across multiple focus areas.

Amount Organization Location Purpose

Women's Empowerment & Eco-friendly Development

$78,050 Samerth Charitable Trust Kutch Dist, Gujarat Sustainable water harvesting and sanitation

$63,500 Arpana Research & Charities Trust Karnal Dist, Haryana Women's self-help groups for rights, business skills, healthcare

$26,500 Magan Sangrahalaya Samiti Wardha, Maharashtra Rural bakery and organic cafeteria employing women

$25,000 Economic Rural Development Society Malda Dist, West Bengal

Women's empowerment through microcredit

$13,000 Vivekananda International Kendra Across India Facilities and trainings for tribal economic development

$5,000 Sewa Bharti Bhopal Narsinghpur, MP Sustainable village development $4,700* Circle of Goodwill Visakhapatnam, AP Garden planting and animal husbandry $4,350 Vanvasi Vikash Parishad Bhopal, MP Holistic tribal development

$3,700* Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram Across India Holistic tribal development

$223,800 Subtotal

Good Governance & Anti-Corruption

$75,000 Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy

Across India Online platforms to assess corruption & improve government service delivery

$75,000 Subtotal

Healthcare

$62,100 SYVASA Bangalore, Karnataka Hostel for women at accredited yoga and holistic health university

$61,010* Sahaj Seva Samsthan Hyderabad, AP Hospital and health clinics for urban and rural poor

$50,000 Sri Ram Grameen Kshetra Vikas Samiti

Meerut Dist, UP Operating costs for rural hospital

$15,700 Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal Kathmandu, Nepal Furnishing for rural teaching hospital $15,000 Sree Kasturibayi Mahila Samajamu Nidadavolu, AP Old age home for elderly and disabled

people $10,000 Mata Balak Utkarsh Pratishthan Sangola, Maharashtra Mobile clinic for mothers, newborns, and

teenage girls $6,950* Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan

Ashram Sonebhadra, UP Mobile clinic in remote area

$5,000 Sewa Bharathi Guntur Guntur, AP Construction of hospital for disadvantaged people

$2,475* Circle of Goodwill Visakhapatnam, AP Eye and homeopathy clinics, cardiac rehabilitation centers

$228,235 Subtotal

Continued …


Amount Organization Location Purpose

Women's Colleges and Technical Education

$245,000 Maharaja Agrasen Technical Education Society

Baddi Dist, HP Technical education in remote town

$25,000 Maharshi Dayanand Mahila Sikshan Samiti Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan English language lab for women's college

$16,000 Lila Poonawalla Foundation Pune, Maharashtra Scholarships and leadership training for women's higher education

$3,000 Upakar Virginia, USA College scholarships for underprivileged Indian-Americans

$289,000 Subtotal

Children's Education

$38,500 Swami Keshwanand Smriti Charitable Trust Sangaria, Rajasthan Hostels, schools, and scholarships for rural girls

$30,990* Sahaj Seva Samsthan Hyderabad, AP Schools for disabled and underprivileged children

$30,000 Shiksha Bharti Hapur, UP Endowment fund for NE tribal girls' holistic residential education

$25,050 HOPE Bhubaneshwar, Odisha Construction of tribal residential school

$18,050 Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra Ranchi Remote Jharkhand 100 one-teacher schools (ekal vidyalayas) for tribal children

$17,550* Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram Bastar, Chhattisgarh 4 hostels and 40 one-teacher schools $15,000 Jayarama Educational Society Unguturu Dist, AP Expansion of high school for

disadvantaged children $11,000 Ajekar Padma Gopal Education Udupi Dist, Karnataka Pre-university (11-12th grade) in

rural area $10,500 Sivananda Sanskrita Veda Agama

Mahavidyalaya Narsipuram, AP Home and school for orphaned

children $10,300 Nilkanth Samaj Seva Trust Bhavnagar Dist, Gujarat New building to house 3 schools and

vocational training $10,000 Gramin Mahila Shikshan Sansthan Samiti Sikar Dist, Rajasthan Construction of girls' school $9,000 Swaroopwardhinee Pune, Maharashtra Mobile science lab and development

centers for brilliant slum children $9,000 Vatsalya Trust Mumbai, Maharashtra Home and school for orphaned and

neglected girls $8,900 Sewa Bharti Bhopal Sagar, MP Registration of land for tribal girls'

hostel $8,500 Uttaranchal Daivi Apda Peedit Sahayata

Samiti Dehradun, Uttarakhand 50 one-teacher schools (ekal

vidyalayas) in remote areas $8,225 * Circle of Goodwill Visakhapatnam, AP Free schools for slum children and

scholarships for high school $5,000 Bharat Kalyan Pratishthan Narmada Dist, Gujarat Hostel and school for tribal girls $5,000 Gramabharathi Hyderabad, AP School fees for tribal children

$270,565 Subtotal

$1,086,600 Total Grants

Finances: Grant Distribution (continued)


Continuing Programs

The Power of Sisterhood – Karnal District, Haryana

Women in rural Haryana suffer from poverty, limited education and severe gender inequality. The state has

the lowest ratio male-female in India, a testament to female feticide. Thank to IDRF’s donors, women are

securing healthcare, economic security, and basic rights through self-help groups (SHGs). Organized by

Arpana, an awarding-winning local NGO, these SHGs are a model for the empowerment of rural women. In

100 villages, 7,000 members of 500 SHGs meet monthly and save

and lend collectively. In 2012, SHGs also participated in over 100

workshops by Arpana staff and fellow SHGs, on issues from family

planning and prenatal care to business bookkeeping and women’s

rights.

In 2012, SHGs saved Rs. 52 million– a 67% increase from 2011.

Over 1,800 women ran small businesses using microcredit from

their SHGs, up from 1,300. Thanks to Arpana’s training, over 60%

of SHGs can manage their records and financial accounts

independently. The SHG federation leaders, themselves local

women, oversee the groups and resolve conflicts about loan

repayment.

Bhagwati, a SHG member for 5 years, said: “Now that I have begun to earn and increased my family’s

income, my husband and in-laws have started respecting me and even take my advice in family affairs.”

This program also educated thousands of villagers, male and female, about health. In 2012, 11,600 people

attended SHG events about seasonal disease. Further, to address malnutrition, three fairs about healthy food

were organized. Yearlong, over 500 women counseled expectant mothers and helped them access healthcare.

Finally, our program recently expanded to disabled people, the most vulnerable group in rural society. Arpana

interviewed disabled people in 14 villages, while an expert educated local SHGs and leaders about their unique

needs and abilities. These disabled villagers formed separate SHGs, so they can advocate for government

benefits and save and lend collectively. In 2013, Arpana will focus on preparing the women’s SHGs to

incorporate disabled people and to participate in village government.

Members balancing their account book at a monthly SHG meeting

Santosh, a thriving

entrepreneur, sells

bangles from her

home and runs a

neighborhood store –

thanks to her SHG’s

savings and

microcredit loans


Continuing Programs

Water in the Desert – Kutch District, Gujarat

In arid Rapar Taluka, women and girls travel miles to collect water, typically carrying 40-liter pots on their

heads. Families lack water for hygiene, and many migrate away from their farms each year because of drought

and unemployment. But thanks to one exceptional NRI, IDRF and its local partner Samerth have provided

safe water for irrigation and drinking to over 3,000 highly vulnerable people.

From 2009 to 2012, Samerth and local villagers built 9 check dams and 30 wells. The structures collect water

for immediate use and provide long-term water security. They help the environment by replenishing

groundwater and preventing saltwater contamination.

The government had allocated money for water projects but it did not reach the target population. Samerth

convinced officials to hire villagers to build the dams and wells, under the National Rural Employment

Guarantee Scheme. Thanks to their strategic approach, villagers earned Rs. 10 million while ensuring safe

water supply and a healthier environment. Each village also formed a water committee to maintain the

structures and save money for future repairs.

Today, villagers are self-reliant, healthy and prosperous. The rate of water-borne disease, which robbed the

villagers of their health and lives, plummeted from 62% to 33%. Thanks to better health and access to

irrigation, farmers are able to work more days each year. Migration has declined from 35% to just

11.5% of the total population. Finally, 17% more children – especially girls – are going to school

regularly, liberated from hauling water. The program’s relentless insistence on including women and the

disabled have led to inclusive development.

Inspired by this incredible success, IDRF and Samerth have teamed up to expand this program to 30 villages in

the next two years. As a first step, the villagers are preparing water security plans, in which they assess

existing wells and dams and decide where to locate new ones.

This check dam brought water security to Raimal village Thanks to water harvesting, this farmer has water for his cattle year round


Continuing Programs

Unlikely Entrepreneurs – Malda District, West Bengal

Women in this district suffer from severe inequality. With little opportunity for education or skilled

employment, girls marry very early – some just 12 years old – and face maltreatment in their husbands’

homes. Their families are impoverished, and many take loans from moneylenders at exorbitant interest

rates. But thanks to donors like you, these women have taken affordable loans, started their own

businesses, and improve their standing at home and in their community.

In 2011-2012, IDRF and its partner ERDS provided 250 women with microcredit loans. While IDRF funds the

$200 loans, ERDS provides the technical advice, leadership training and counseling to ensure successful

ventures. These women started businesses or invested in their husband’s. They increased their income

twice, thrice, or even six fold. 95% of them repaid their loans on time and in full. Here are their stories.

Before taking a loan, Taslima Molla’s family was in dire straits. Her husband lost his job as a driver due to

illness and his grocery store was earning just Rs.1,000 a month. Then Taslima joined an ERDS self-help group

and applied for a loan. She invested her loan in the store and made a smart decision to sell gift items along with

food. The store’s income tripled and now all of Taslima’s children are back in school.

When Madhumita De’s husband deserted her, she lost her confidence and

her income. But she was determined to rebuild his cosmetics business.

At first, she was earning just Rs.1,500 a month. By joining an ERDS self-

help group and investing a microcredit loan in her business, Madhumita

increased her monthly income to Rs. 3,000-3,500. Today, she is

economically independent and feels secure for the first time since her

husband left her.

Minara Bibi’s husband was the sole earner in her family. His flower

business made just Rs.1,200 to 1,400 a month. Then Minara secured a

microcredit loan. She invested some in his shop but also bought a

sewing machine to make clothes on contract. Both businesses are

doing well. With two sources of income, the family now makes Rs.

3,500 to 4,000 each month.

250 women have substantially increased their monthly incomes

and their personal autonomy. Since women use their increased

income for their children’s education, these loans have a long-

lasting impact on the community’s economic prospects.

In September 2012, IDRF agreed to fund 250 more loans. Just six

months after getting their loan, some women have already

lifted their families above the poverty line.

Madhumita De rebuilt her business and self-confidence with help from IDRF

Minara Bibi tripled her family’s income with her sewing business


Continuing Programs

Over 600 people, learn computer skills in this lab at Maharshi Dayanand Women’s Science College

Young women practice conversation in the English language lab

Cutting-edge Classrooms – Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan

Thanks to Dr. G.R. Verma, an exceptional NRI, a women’s college in rural Rajasthan is equipped with

the latest technology. Maharshi Dayanand Women’s Science College caters to hundreds of girls from

the surrounding villages. In a state where gender segregation and poverty prevent some girls from

going to primary school, these young women are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in chemistry,

zoology, botany, physics, math and computer science.

Dr. Verma’s own student years were difficult. When friends helped fund his

education, he vowed to establish himself in the US and help students in

similar situations. Years later, “During a return visit to India in the 1980s,

on a dreadfully hot day, I saw a group of girls clutching their books and

waiting for the bus to take them back to their village, wilting in the 115

to 120 degree heat. I decided then to do something …” Driven by Dr.

Verma’s magnanimity and passion, IDRF has supported Maharshi Dayanand

for over a decade, along with scores of other women’s colleges and hostels.

In 2012, Maharshi Dayanand opened a new English language learning

laboratory. Each student has her own computer and headset, so she can use

voice and audio software to practice English conversation. These skills are

essential to compete for jobs in the sciences, in India and globally.

In one year, 240 students completed a spoken language course in this lab.

IDRF and Dr. Verma also supported a computer lab at the college. In 2012, the college taught computer

skills to more than 500 of its students, and collaborated with the local government to bring computer

literacy to the underprivileged. 70 local adults are enrolled in the State Certificate Course in Information

Technology, while 45 women take the special “Digital Saheli” class for basic computer skills. These free

courses help bridge the digital divide, bringing the benefits of modern technology to the poorest.

Dr G.R. Verma


New Programs

Nurses tend to female patients in the ward Surgeons operate on a patient

Healthcare for the Underprivileged - Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

We are proud to introduce a new healthcare

program, IDRF’s very first in Nepal. Our

local partner, Public Health Concern Trust

(phect) is an internationally-recognized NGO

which brings cutting edge care to Nepal's

most marginalized people. Our donors’

generosity has made this collaboration

possible.

We are supporting a teaching hospital in

Kirtipur town. It brings affordable, quality

care to local people who are primarily low

income and dependent on agriculture, small-

scale industry, construction labor, and other

informal work for their living. The hospital

also serves as a classroom for medical

students, imparting them knowledge and a

passion for social service. Just four months

after IDRF’s grant for furnishings, the

hospital is already up and running.

Although we are now focused on India and Nepal, this program is not IDRF’s first foray outside of India. We

currently support Upakar which awards scholarships to brilliant, underprivileged Indian-Americans. In the

aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, IDRF supported water resource management in Thailand and measles treatment

in Indonesia in concert with the United Nations Foundation. We also supported an AIDS/HIV health project in

Cape Town, South Africa.

Doctors transfer a patient from the recovery room at Kirtipur teaching hospital


New Programs

Technical Education for All – Solan District, Himachal Pradesh

Many students in the foothills of the Himalayas are ambitious but lack access

to quality higher education. Thanks to the exceptional magnanimity of Dr.

Mukesh Goel, IDRF helped a well-established technical institute open a

branch in Himachal Pradesh.

Himachal Pradesh, with 7.5 million people, has just five universities. Dr. Goel

“… see[s] a real need in India in healthcare and education. I visit…four times

a year and see it with my own eyes.” Maharaja Agrasen University in Delhi

has prepared engineers and entrepreneurs for the global market for over a

decade, and its engineering school is one of the top 25 in the country. The new

campus will bring the same opportunities to the less privileged

population.

In its final stage, MAU-Himachal will offer degrees in technology, business

management, education, law, and journalism. It will also drive

development in the local area, through adult literacy classes, promotion of solar power, and other efforts.

Construction of the campus is underway. The first buildings were inaugurated in May 2013, and the university

will open its doors to students for the 2013-2014 academic year.

When asked about his generous gift, Dr. Goel said: “I believe in Jeeyo aur Jeene Do philosophy, which

means live to the fullest yourself and develop love for others. God really has given everything to me,

much more than ever desired … So why not share my prosperity with the needy?” He also thanked IDRF

for “… for having a well-organized way of helping [its] clients. Nandkishore Ji [the University Chancellor]

was also very impressed.”

IDRF welcomes the

opportunity to collaborate

with anyone who dreams of

helping India, whether through

an established NGO or by

creating a new one.

Dr. Mukesh Goel

With the first phase of construction almost complete, the university will open in the 2013-2014 academic year.


New Programs

College students prepare to post these English and Kannada posters about bribery in their local government offices

Cleaning up Urban Corruption– Bengaluru, Karnataka

Residents of India’s cities face serious governance issues. Officials

demand bribes for basic most services and a lack of proper infrastructure

– such as sanitation, traffic signals, and crosswalks – leads to injury and

death. These problems impact the urban poor the most. In 2012, IDRF

supported two websites run by Bengaluru-based Janaagraha. These sites

harness the city’s tech-savvy residents to improve daily life in the city.

We supported IChangeMyCity.com, a social

network that collects, tracks, and resolves

complaints about government service and

infrastructure in Bengaluru. Janaagraha passes

the complaints to the appropriate agency and tracks

their resolution. The complaints also form the basis

of janaspanadana, “town hall” meetings where

people speak directly with elected officials and

agency heads.

Members have also used the site to form

neighborhood groups and advocate for infrastructure

improvements. The site collates civic information,

like contact numbers for elected officials and directions to government offices. Launched in mid-2012, ICMC

has already brought an unprecedented level of transparency to the city.

IPaidABribe.com is a public forum where people report paying, resisting, or not being asked for a bribe. It

records the amount, department and the task they were trying to do. First launched in Bengaluru, people in

almost 500 cities have filed 22,000 bribe reports, totaling Rs. 83 crore.

IPAB has made a big impact in Bengaluru.

Janaagraha used the highly specific data and

shocking stories to convince city and state

government to crack down on bribery. In one

campaign which had full government cooperation,

hundreds of volunteers posted bills in almost every

government office in the city, listing a number to

instantly report a bribe to IPAB. The website’s

data, paired with widespread coverage in the press,

persuaded one department to change its workflow

to avoid bribery. There are similar campaigns

underway in other Indian cities. IPAB is so

successful that 16 countries worldwide are

replicating it.

Residents discuss local complaints collected on ICMC with elected officials and agency staff at a janaspanadana


Future Plans

Villagers discuss local concerns at a ward sabha in Madhubani, Bihar, part of our rural and tribal governance program

IDRF consultant Dr. Rajesh Sinha meets with tribal farmers from our seed production program

IDRF plans to scale up existing programs and initiate new ones, and we hope you will join us in making them a

success.

Scaling Up …

Rural Governance

Fighting corruption is an integral aspect of IDRF’s

work, as we work to make sure government schemes

reach the intended beneficiaries. In 2013, we plan to

extend on our rural and tribal governance program in 4

districts each in Odisha and Bihar, in partnership with

Transparency International India. This program, which

began in 2009, trains villagers to fight bribery and

access benefits using tools like the Right-to-

Information law and social audits. In earlier phases,

villagers were able to secure work under employment

schemes, register land without bribery, and even file

charges against corrupt officials.

Quality Seed Production

IDRF will scale up its rice seed production program

for tribal farmers in Jharkhand. From 2009-2011,

participating farmers earned three times their previous

income by cultivating high-yielding rice seed. With

help from the NGO Vikas Bharti and the district-level

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, they sold those seeds to other

farmers, increasing the overall supply of quality seed

in their remote villages. In 2013, IDRF will establish

a revolving fund so farmers can use save and lend

collectively, and invest in better farm inputs.

Holistic Tribal Education

We will continue to expand our longstanding education program for tribal girls from the Northeast. This

program, in partnership with Shiksha Bharati, provides 60 girls with rigorous, national-board-accredited

education. They also learn artistic, athletic, and vocational skills and live in a first-class hostel, all free of cost.

Graduates return to their remote homes as teachers and catalysts for women’s empowerment. IDRF is

currently raising money for the program’s endowment fund so more tribal girls can enroll.


Future Plans

Tribal girls from the Northeast enjoy access to holistic and rigorous all-round education – in class, on the field, and in fine arts

Scaling Up (continued) …

In addition, based on their encouraging progress, we will build on several programs highlighted in the

Continuing Programs section, such as:

Water in the Desert: Expand the water harvesting program to 30 more villages in Gujarat

Unlikely Entrepreneurs: Fund more microcredit loans for female entrepreneurs in West Bengal

Cutting-edge Classrooms: Build a new conference hall for the women’s science college

Branching Out …

IDRF is exploring three new areas critical to

development: solar energy, human trafficking, and

career/college test preparation. Furthermore, we

are re-aligning our development strategy to

capitalize on the rapid spread of modern technology

in India. We are aiming for collaborative programs

that use technology to accelerate development in

the most neglected areas.

Growing …

We will grow our network of donors and supporters

through strategic outreach. We hope to make our

website and our Facebook and YouTube pages

more comprehensive and user-friendly. We also

intend to solicit feedback from our network. Keep

an eye out for new videos on YouTube and a

comprehensive database of our programs.

Please send an email to [email protected] if you’d like

to get involved with any of our efforts.

SHG members welcome Arpana’s head of community health to the health fair they organized in their Haryana village


http://www.facebook.org/IDRFUSA

https://www.youtube.com/user/IDRFUS

mailto:[email protected]


Get Involved

Connect Please visit our website, sign up for our

mailing list and “Like” us on Facebook! We

welcome all comments and queries at

[email protected]

Volunteer We welcome volunteers, including those who

would work remotely. Please send your

interests, skills, and availability to

[email protected]. We also welcome you to visit

our program sites in India and to share your

thoughts and photos with us. Please contact

us for more information.

Donate IDRF is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, non-profit (EIN 52-1555563). All donations are tax-deductible under

US law and eligible for corporate matching. Please include your email address. You may give in several

ways:

Donate online through secure connection

Mail a check: (Please include your email address)

IDRF

5821 Mossrock Drive

North Bethesda, MD 20852

Donate at work. If your company has a matching gift program, you could double your donation. Federal

employees can donate through the Combined Federal Campaign (#18889).

Other ways

Donor Advisements IDRF offers donors the unique privilege of designating an Indian NGO as their beneficiary. We

welcome one-on-one collaboration. We nurture these programs to maximize benefits for the local

people and build your legacy of social service. For examples, please turn to pg 15 to read about Dr.

Verma’s dedication to women’s education or pg 17 to read about Dr. Goel’s gift of technical education.

Minimum requirements for an Indian NGO to be a beneficiary:

Tax-exempt

Approved to receive foreign contributions (under FCRA law)

Internet-connected

Audited annually

We ask that the donor raise at least $5,300 for his or her chosen NGO. IDRF may retain a small portion to

defray its administrative costs (2-6%). If a donor can raise over $25,000 for an NGO that does not have FCRA

approval, IDRF may be able to assist them in securing the approval. Please contact us for more information

about donor advisements at [email protected].

A girl thanks Lila “Mom” for the Lila Poonawalla Foundation scholarship, one of IDRF’s many donor-advised programs


http://www.idrf.org/join-our-journey/

https://www.facebook.com/IDRFUSA



http://www.idrf.org/get-involved/make-a-gift/#online

http://www.idrf.org/get-involved/make-a-gift/#workplace

http://www.idrf.org/get-involved/make-a-gift/

http://www.idrf.org/contact-us/#email



Team

Board of Directors

Dr. Vinod Prakash, Founder and President

Dr. Jaipal Rathi, Vice President and Secretary

Dr. G. R. Verma

Ms. Malati Gopal

Dr. Neelam Chitre

Executive Team

Dr. Vinod Prakash, Chief Executive Officer

Mrs. Manju Joshi, Operations and Development Director

Mrs. Rajita Majumdar, Communications and Outreach Director

Ms. Melissa Rice, Communications Coordinator and Office Manager

Consultants in India

Mr. Naveen Prasad

Dr. Rajesh Sinha

Technology Team

Mr. Anurodh Agarwal

Mr. Rajat Arya

Mr. Adesh Jain

2012 Annual Report Prepared By:

Ms. Melissa Rice, author

Ms. Rajita Majumdar, editor

Dr. Vinod Prakash, advisor


Relief and Rehabilitation

IDRF has converted numerous disasters into opportunities to bring sustainable development to the affected

communities.

Village and school reconstruction after the 1993 earthquake in Latur, Maharashtra ($300,000+)

Immediate relief to families who lost their fathers in the Kargil crisis in Jammu & Kashmir and built a boys’

and a girls’ hostel for their children and other orphans ($310,000+)

Several successful health, livelihood, and rehabilitation programs after the 1999 Odisha supercyclone

($600,000+)

Complete rehabilitation of 2 villages, several schools and other projects after the 2001 Gujarat earthquake ($3

million+)

Post-2004-tsunami rehabilitation – such as hostels, water harvesting, and disease prevention – in Tamil Nadu,

Andaman & Nicobar, Indonesia, and Thailand ($1.1 million+)

Relief for the families of first responders killed in the 9/11 attacks in the US ($12,000)

Development

Social worker training for hundreds of women in Karnataka, preparing them to serve rural communities

Vegetable gardens and appropriate technology for 600+ tribal women in Jharkhand, to improve their families’

diets and increase their income

College buildings, leadership training, and scholarships for young women in Rajasthan and Maharashtra

15 hostels for tribal children, most for girls, in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, etc

Vitamin distribution to prevent blindness in thousands of tribal children in Chhattisgarh

Scholarships for underprivileged children in AP, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, etc

Special, nurturing schools for disabled children in AP, Gujarat, Karnataka, MP, and West Bengal

Thousands of one-teacher schools (ekal vidyalayas) in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu,

Uttarakhand, and other states

30 medical vans in 15 states, which serve thousands each month, reduce infectious disease, improve maternal

and infant health, and even turned Naxalites and Maoists into peaceful social workers

Longtime support for a highly-reputed hospital for the poor in Maharashtra and a yoga clinic in Karnataka

Landmark study on property tax evasion in Delhi, which led the government to re-zone, cut corruption, and

significantly increase revenue available for development projects

Donor-advised K-12 school in rural UP, with 1,000 students from 25 villages performing above state averages

on board exams

A mobile science lab and academic development programs for talented slum kids in Maharashtra

Coaching centers that helped needy students join IIT and IAS in Delhi, Karnataka, and Maharashtra

Unique program for 20 educated young couples to live and work as full-time social workers, dedicated to

health, education, and economic development, of 85 villages in Madhya Pradesh

Computer lab, science lab, and faculty apartments at an innovative school in rural Tamil Nadu

Tribal development center in Assam, to with library of local language-media and administrative headquarters

for educational and reforestation projects

Public library and seminar hall in Delhi to hold workshops about social development and Swami Vivekananda’s

message of selfless service to humanity

Annex: Snapshots from 25 Years of Service

http://youtu.be/0tYuYLUCx-w

http://youtu.be/RakpAWu5p7o

http://www.idrf.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/IDRF_Tsunami_Report_113005.pdf

2012 Annual Report - India Development and Relief Fund · privileged to share this Annual Report with you. In 2012, IDRF supported more than 30 programs in India and our first in

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