Dec 2007

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December 2007

CHARITY AND CHANGE

As we approach the end of the year, and the festivals of Id-ul-fitr Deepavali and Christmas having followed one upon the other, the spirit of Giving envelopes us. Requests are received from many less-endowed quarters for those of us who are relatively better off to contribute something for their participation in the festive season.

Recently I also read a report from our Freemasons’ Grand Charity in which it was said that a third of the applications received by it were from India. Which set me thinking that this should, over the next decade or so, be subject to change, as many other parallel trends seem to indicate. What are these Trends?

Trade and Technology along with the attendant monetary flows seem to be reversing direction from West to East even migration of Labour inwards into India appear to have commenced, and the trends are indicative of a strong reversal of fortunes to the advantage of India (and China etc.) and the World.

Medical Tourism is being touted as the next wave of services growth for this country, and along with it our Masonic Charities should also see a different directional flow in the years to come. We can envisage areas of charitable collaboration between international charities of all kinds with Indian Charity resources, which would bring down the cost of caring for the sick and elderly. Wouldn’t Hospices in India be cheaper than in the West, and more caring even perhaps ?

I for one would like to see the day when a third of the costs of our Freemasons’ Charities is being contributed in funds and in kind from Indian Masonic sources.

Besides costs, the Masonic Charities abroad could also provide to us here the technologies attendant upon these initiatives along with the overall management expertise which our social service organizations may lack.

Therefore during this season of Giving let us think not only of the immediate needs of the under-privileged, but also of how best we can prepare ourselves for a future when we attain the more laudable position of becoming donors rather than petitioners.

We convey to all our Brethren the Season’s Compliments and wish them all and their families a Very Happy, Prosperous and Healthy New Year of Giving !