Opinion
The success that inspires
Recently the result of a survey conducted by the New York based world renowned Forbes Magazine published in a number of national dailies (The Daily Star December 28, 2007) has caused a stirring among the NGOs and conscious readers. Forbes Magazine published a list of 50 leading microfinance institutions of world in its 20 December 2007 issue. In this list Bangladesh NGO ASA secured the top position. Six more Bangladesh NGOs, including Grameen Bank and BRAC also secured their positions in the list. International Microfinance Exchange (MIX), under direct supervision of Forbes Magazine, prepared the list by conducting research on activities of 641 micro-credit institutions of world. The indicators based on which the list is prepared include: institutional expertise, risk-taking ability and return of assets, etc.
To secure top position in the Forbes survey result is undoubtedly a remarkable success for ASA. And this success of Bangladesh NGOs would obviously brighten the image of the country in the international arena. This is specially significant because this rare recognition came just at the time when under the impact of devastating cyclone Sidr the economy was agonised. This recognition would surely inject a rejuvenating effect in the development activities of the country.
It's a matter of special consideration that when many govt and autonomous organisations in the country are virtually sinking under the negative impact of mismanagement and inefficiency, some non-government organisations here have been able to attract world appreciation securing top position in respective fields globally! This opposite performance of two sectors in the same country has raised a question: If non-government organisations can show success why not the government organisations? This deserves importance of attention. Some organisations in semi-government and autonomous sector have also become sick recurring hundreds of crores of taka loss to the exchequer. The burden is ultimately borne by the public. The government has even shut some of such concerns in the face of pressure from donors. But this again has raised controversy among the public. This has led to unemployment and other negative impacts. Many of the civil society and intellectuals ask whether there was no way out but to shut these? Was shutting the only solution? If the non-government organisations can survive and shine why not these better placed enterprises? They believe, under efficient management these could be certainly made viable, even profitable, within a short course of time.
For instance, a non-government organisation ASA has gradually grown from small to big to large and achieved rare success brightening the facade of the country, too. Why not a government or semi-government organisation survive having a better infrastructural advantage and logistic support? ASA is reaching its service to about seven million people using comparatively a very humble infrastructure. The matter it stresses upon most is cost saving. It thinks grand infrastructure and top-heavy administration do not help much in sustenance of any organisation. The point is optimum utilisation of resources and facilities for maximum possible return. And here lied its success. The Forbes Magazine also gave maximum consideration to this aspect of the organisation while nominating it as the top microcredit institution.
Only a 200-strong man power at its head office is regulating a 25,000-strong work force across the country. Its field level infrastructure is so simple as low rent humbly furnished branch office with one manager and four loan officers each, on average serving 1800 people per week. Without a foresighted able leadership it is not possible to make such a large organisation sustainable. The same winning logic is equally applicable to BRAC and Grameen Bank, too.
But on the other hand, the picture of majority of govt-owned establishments is completely different. Many of these are submerged in corruption and with top-heavy administration, inefficient work force, unprofessional attitude, little transparency and accountability have become grand white elephants. But to survive as a self-reliant nation with respect in the comity of nations we have to come out from this situation. Some NGOs have been showing us way. We have to turn the losing govt. organizations viable with massive reform. This is a very hard task indeed, but we have little options left. Here exchange of experience between govt. and non-govt. organisations can be a way out. If foreign organisations can seek cooperation from local NGOs why can't local organisations? Only necessity is change of mindset -- from vested, negative to unhesitant, positive.
However, of late there are some complaints that the positive sides of NGO activities are not getting adequate importance in media coverage. For instance, after the government, NGOs have played the next biggest role in relief and rehabilitation of Sidr victims including writing off hundreds of crores of taka loan and interest free loan distribution. But little follow-up reports have been seen in the media in this regard. Even the prestigious Forbes Magazine announcement was covered by only a few national dailies. We only hope the media, both print and electronic, veer more attention to the positive activities of NGOs in the overall interest of the country. Media is considerably powerful now. No big task could be virtually expedited without its positive help. In fact proper application of media power would expedite the country's speed of development.
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