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Rajasthan is the largest State of India in terms of total area occupied. The State also has significant diversities of terrain, livelihood pattern as well as dispersal pattern of habitations in rural areas and basically an arid and semi arid State with scanty to moderate rainfall and therefore prone to famine conditions often. Communication network is poor and climatically it has severe summer as well as severe winter weather. Within the state, agriculture and animal husbandry are the major sources of livelihood, with a few manufacturing industries or services. Distribution of income and assets is also highly uneven. Therefore, the task of ensuring that education is universalized and relevant for all sections of society is indeed formidable. The Study on Role of NGO in rural development has assumed greater significance, in the recent past, as a response to the failure of the Top down, welfare oriented approaches to the rural development programmes. Voluntary organisation is not a new phenomenon in our country. Voluntary effort has always been an important part of our culture and social tradition. The need for organizing people into accredited associations and their involvement and participation in rural development have now been fully recognized. In recent years, they have increased in considerable number, acquired greater importance and significance and put up many new experiments in the field of rural development. Voluntary organisation can play a crucial role in rural development by supplementing government efforts as they are close to the minds and hearts of the rural people. They have their roots in the people and can respond to the needs and aspirations of the community very effectively. They can experiment new approaches to rural development. In recent years, the voluntary agencies have acquired greater importance and significance than before because the administration has not been able to reach the people, especially the poor and weaker sections. They have been able to make their presence felt from the local to the national level and now at the international level also. Many of them have pioneered works in areas, which were ignored by the process of national development planning. Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and Voluntary action have been part of the historical legacy. In early 20th century, several voluntary efforts were started in the fields of education, health etc. The NGOs became prominent after independence, especially after 1970s. A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization that is not part of a government and was not founded by states. NGOs are therefore typically independent of governments. Although the definition can technically include nor-profit corporations, the term is generally restricted to social, cultural, legal, and environmental advocacy groups having goals that are noncommercial, primarily. NGOs are usually

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NGOs have played a vital role all over the world in tackling the range of issues. Their role is not limited to one sector but extends from one corner to other. The government launches many schemes but the success of such schemes is based on the activity and campaign done by various NGOs in order to ensure better implementation of the scheme. NGOs manage the host of issues concerning the civil society. They carry on work for better health, protection of the environment, education etc. Some NGOs are devoted to specific issues such as women's health care or HIV/AIDS. The NGOs in India are working on issues like- Human Rights Displacement, Forest Land Rights and Tribal’s, Child Rights, Women Empowerment, Right to Information, Right to Food, Panchayati Raj, Peace, Health and Education

Voluntary action stimulated and promoted by voluntary agencies engaged in development play a significant role at the grass roots level in the Indian social milieu; the success of rural development depends upon the active participation of the people through Self Help Organizations. The various roles of NGOs are such as Catalyze Rural Population, Build Models and Experiment, Supplement Government Efforts, Organizing Rural Poor, Educate the Rural People, Provide Training, Disseminate Information, Mobilize of Resources, Promote Rural Leadership, Represent the Rural People, Act as Innovators, Ensure People’s Participation, Promote Appropriate Technology and Activate the Rural Delivery System The widespread belief that NGOs are more successful in reaching the poor in poverty reduction also resulted in rapid growth of funding for NGOs by government and external donors. As far as the government funding is concerned, there are many government schemes initiated by the central and state governments through which NGOs can have direct resources for rural development.

The present chapter is devoted to formulation of objectives, research designed, sampling selection, and construction of research tools, data collection and its methods of analysis. The reviews of literature, personal inquiries and discussions with various practitioners and NGO’s functionaries have lead to the next step of formulating of objectives which is considered as a central step in any research attempt. The major objective of the study is to understand the various processes and methods applied by the concerned NGOs for the purpose of rural The following are the specific objectives of the Study. 1) To study the work performed by NGOs in the upliftment of rural areas of various districts in Rajasthan. 2) Special emphasis was being given on education sector. 3) To Study the various experiences gained and problems faced by the NGOs.

The main focus of the study was being on the role and functions of NGOs in rural development. The study was explorative cum descriptive. Organization which is registered under society act and trust act was being covered. Through this study one can have the knowledge regarding the work performed by NGOs in the upliftment of rural areas of various districts in Rajasthan. Special emphasis was given on education sector.

The present investigation has adopted exploratory nature. The exploratory design was selected due to the very nature of the issues, respondents, and type of question rose, for generating data. The nature of data obtained for the present study is qualitative in nature .The study was based on both primary and secondary data, but primary data was taken as the main basis of whole analysis. The primary source was consisting of interview schedules taken from secretaries or person in charge of selected NGOs and beneficiaries. Secondary data includes various published books, reports, journals and official reports, whereas the source of secondary data was collected from ministry of HRD, welfare ministry, foreign ministry, and internet and NGO office. The main focus of the study was to know the role and function of the NGOs in rural development. Thus, the sample represented NGOs working in rural areas of thirty three districts of Rajasthan. A list of registered NGOs was collected from I.D.S. (Institute of Development Studies), Jaipur. Out of the addresses collected, some have closed down and some have changed their address, further few have registered and disappeared, with these available address, the list of NGOs working in rural areas were selected.

The NGOs were selected randomly from 33 districts of Rajasthan. The no. of NGOs contacted was 60 and out of them only 30 responded willingly.

• Societies which are registered under Society act 1958 or Trust act.

• Those organizations which were working under some projects either of govt. or on foreign funding.

• The organization which were consistent in their work.

The villages which were covered by the selected NGOs for development were selected. The people residing in those villages and dhanies were interviewed. The numbers of beneficiaries contacted were 15 each from 20 villages, and 250 of the 300 beneficiaries responded. Generally female members were present; the male members were in the farm working or out of station, for earning livelihood. The selection of beneficiaries was done taking the full factors in consideration:

• Resident of the village

• Both educated and uneducated engaged or have been engaged in the activities conducted by the NGOs.

Personal interview with the help of the prepared interview schedule was the main method used for the collection of primary data from the respondents. It has been very difficult to select the data because of the heterogeneous character of both NGOs and beneficiaries. Some of the NGOs were found to be working in remote rural areas but their corporate head were at urban centers.

In the present study, data relating to 60 NGOs working in different district in Rajasthan were collected. The 60 NGOs were selected randomly from 33 district of Rajasthan. One of the main difficulties in collecting data was that some of the NGOs moved to other places from their registered address. Even some of them were not existence. Out of 60 NGOs selected only 30 of them responded in a supportive manner. The other NGOs just filled up the questionnaire and didn’t respond with any other extra information. The NGO which willingly agreed for an appointment were supportive during their interview. They did talk about its establishment, working methods; problems faced by them but were quite conservative on the issues of financial aspects of organization. reporting, whoever involved in field work. Every organization had large number of paid volunteers, both male and female. Some of the organization had very good building and vehicles either hired or owned. In this modern technology of information, when the NGOs main work frame is based on networking and information, they were still waiting for internet connection. NGO in the rural areas were mainly devoted to environment, women upliftment, health and education. Many organization are working for AIDS. 60 % of NGOs response was funded by govt. and only 10 NGOs were entirely functioning on membership funds. Org like JKSMS (Jan kala sahitya munch sansthan) were funded by UNISCO for the education of street children in jaipur and its nearby villages. Library support programme run by JKSMS funded by USA. It was noted that they were more satisfied working with foreign donors and only 15% of them seemed to be happy working with govt... All the NGOs interviewed were of the view that the work culture was good in foreign countries. The foreign donors did not delay working and also has less documentation work. They were unhappy with the response got from the govt. officials. In turn, the govt. officials complained that all these organization were money making and even suggested that there was no use of doing research on them. The NGOs had to face economic, social, psychological and political problems. Economic problem was the most important of them. All the NGOs had to face the problems of funding initially and as they got involved in a project, it became important for them to manage the funds properly. As they were working in rural areas they had the problem of convincing the local people, in the early years of establishment but after few years, when the local people got convinced it became quite easier to motivate them on development issues. At the same time it was seen that, although the local people were aware of many issues like women’s right, right to education, health and family welfare programmes, they still didn’t practice it in their usual life. It was not possible for them to adopt it so easily in their life, as they were poor and had to face much opposition in the society. There are so many customs and traditions in the society which also stop them to accept it. NGOs working in rural areas work along with local panchayat samities. The leader has not been found participative affectively in the development work conducted by the NGOs. They were least supportive and had to be motivated and chaired to a lot by the local NGOs. It was not only inconvenient but some time difficult to go against the local leader, but if there

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rural area did trust the organization more than the local leader and women folk had more faith then the men. 70% NGOs interviewed were supported by other NGOs. Some of the organizations were fermented in the initial stages by these supporting NGOs. These supporting NGOs were more mode of guidance to these organizations and even worked together on certain projects. They did share good reputation with other NGOs especially working in the same district and even worked untidily on some major issues like water conservation. Major foreign NGOs are also working in the core level of Rajasthan. They are working in collaboration with local NGOs and assisting them to work efficiently. The villages which were covered by the selected NGOs for development were taken. The numbers of beneficiaries were 15 each from 20 villages and 250 of the 300 beneficiaries responded. It was found they were aware about education and health but didn’t bend themselves in those issues. Still, they were too rigid to follow them. Although they know about value and importance of education but they do not want to literate the older people and women.

As the study was based on NGOs working in rural areas, the org based in rural areas had to be selected. It was very difficult to differentiate between the NGOs working in the rural areas and urban areas, as there is no special line for demarcation between them. Generally, they take up work according to their suitability and convenience, but still the addresses of NGOs particularly located in rural areas were collected. The collection of address was not sufficient; their existence in that particular area had to be confirmed. It was found that some of them had moved to different places from their registered addresses. Some of the org. could not be traced, as they seemed never to exist. Once their existence was confirmed, it was very tough to fix an appointment, as they were set up in remote areas. Most of them didn’t have the telephone connections, those have base phone have given old numbers on website. Many org have not updated their website. It was not easy to reach, as the bus route was not very accessible. Some org were based on such remote areas, that it was even scary to reach there. They didn’t provide adequate information on financial matter. They keep it secret. Sometimes they ignore this topic or give suspicious information.

tried to analyze why the research was being done on NGOs. Moreover, it was not of any help to the, so on one linked to spare their precious time. Rather from one desk to another desk had to be moved to collect information.

This study was entirely affected by the human sentiments, the basic behavior of NGOs members, Govt. officials and beneficiaries were the same. All of them had the basic human tendency, to search their own benefit. Like the official, the beneficiaries also wandered why they give an interview, when it was not supposed to be published in newspaper or heard in Radio or shown in television. Although there were people who came out of home to talk without any motive in return, but most of them expected at least some eatable in return. Moreover, the inconvenience of language had also to be borne. The people who could understand Hindi were taken, the young folk generally translated the conversation of the older members so, actual thinking of some people could not be known. Female person roaming in a village was also of curiosity to many people and also prohibited sometimes from collecting important information. Some folks took as doctors, nurses, or teacher and some looked up on suspicion.

NGOs working in the rural area are limited and are mostly registered under the Raj. Society Act 1958 and few are under the Trust Act. Generally, the NGOs are working in urban areas due to easily availability of basic facilities and infrastructure. NGOs which are based in rural areas are working at core level, but those which have offices located in urban areas and are working for rural development, does more of paper work. They hesitate to provide information to us. After visiting many NGOs, I realized that funds are not properly utilized as shown in paper because whenever asked to have a talk with students, a new excuse was heard from their side. Many NGOs such as BODH, DIGANTER, KALP, SEVA MANDIR, PRATHAM PAHAL, AJIM PREM G FOUNDATION, DUSHRA DASHAK, and JKSMS are no doubt working very well in Rajasthan. BGVS (bharat gyan vigyan samiti) is working in districts like baran, dholpur, bundi and Pali. It mainly deals in right to educate campaign (RTE). NGOs like BODH and DIGANTER deals in higher secondary education in rural areas of Rajasthan especially in jaipur district. Now they are training government school teachers about how to deal with children coming from schools of NGOs. Many NGOs are headed by ministers or relatives of bureaucrats. They are

NGOs are engaged in health, family planning, women empowerment, but most of them are educational institution. The credit of increase in literacy rate in rural areas goes to these organisations. Child marriage still prevails in villages. Not much have been done in this area, work on women empowerment is done. The thinking towards women has changed. NGOs generally depend on Govt. Schemes or foreign sources for funding. As they didn’t give clear information regarding the allocation of funds, the proper usage of funds could not be accessed. It seemed that they utilized the funds for development but may be not up to the mark. They have come a long way; the earlier type of self sacrificing voluntarism is lost. They have become more professional. They have concerned about rural development, they take it more as a work than serving the country. They do have simple living but are not accepted work like earlier method of social service. NGOs have to face the opposition from local leaders. The leaders don’t want the weaker section to rise and become more powerful than them. Thus they don’t support the functioning of org. The volunteers are the soul of every org, without their effort nothing could be achieved. In the whole, NGOs role is to supplement the objectives of government to sustain development as it is easier for them to reach the core level. They had created awareness among the people regarding educational rights, human empowerment, children right, family planning and health but have not yet able to affectively make them accept it.

1. Sooryamoorthy, R, and Gangrade, KD, “NGOs in India (A cross Sectional study)”, Rawat publication, 2006. 2. Kapoor, AK and Singh, D, “Rural development through NGOs”, Rawat publication, 1977. 3. Rajashekar, D, Bhat, MK and Neil Webster, “People Centered Rural Development: NGDOs and decentralized Government”, Bangalore: ISEC, CDS, BCO and NOVIB, 1995. 4. “The NGO sector in India: historical context and current discourse”, Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations Volume 2, Number 2 / November, 1991. 6. Goyal, VP, “Schemes for NGOs in development”Mangam deep publication, Jaipur, 2005. 7. http://www.aravali.org.in/orgstructure.html 8. http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/news-views/viewpoints/doc/the-changing-face-of.html 9. http://www.ngosindia.com 10. http://ec.europa.eu/civil_society/ngo/en/communication.pdf. 11. Mehta, AS., "Micro Politics of Voluntary Action: An Anatomy of Change in Two Villages", Renewal, Volume 3, Number 2, November 1996, pp.3 1-39. 12. http://www.karmayog.org/ngo.