Asians are better at ‘Big Society’

By Lopa Patel, 15th August 2010 -

The UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, wants Britain to embrace the concept of ‘Big Society’ where members of the public step in to provide services that have previously been supplied by local councils, central Government or paid contractors. Asians are, of course, better at ‘Big Society’ than most. This is no idle boast: Asian communities have historically lived in extended families with grandparents, parents, aunties and uncles acting as unpaid nannies and baby sitters for young children; carers for the elderly and guardians of young adults. For many years, I recall that we had cousin staying with us, as part of our family rather than a lodger, while studying for a degree – this seemed perfectly normal. Asians support their temples, gurdhwaras and mosques not just with money, but with hands-on practical help: donating their resources, time and sheer physical effort.

Even in the case of law: Shariah law (though much reviled for its ‘extreme’ measures) is wonderful for resolving petty disputes without resorting to expensive lawsuits, the need for a judge and legal aid. Even in my family, I recall many instances where “elders” were consulted to resolve conflict within the family: their words and suggestions being dutifully accepted by all involved. ‘Wisdom’ is revered over Government edicts or advice from a myriad of ‘experts’. On immigration, I recall my American aunty & uncle as happy to sponsor any family member who wanted to go there – providing shelter, support, lodging and food until that member became a responsible, working USA citizen. Few would have done this if the “Big Society” idea didn’t work to create mature, morally responsible, dutiful adults.

Of course, many argue that this is fine when talking about family. But what happens when you try this within the wider population with its multicultural mix of different races, religions and outlook?

‘Sewa’ is hardwired into the genetic code of Asians

To prove that this concept works, Sewa UK has launched the National Sewa Day which takes place on 21st November 2010. Over 10,000 people will take part in a project promoting one of three criteria: helping to relieve hardship & poverty, bringing joy where little exists and promoting environmental preservation.

Projects that are being considered range from tree planting and organising day visits for elderly people, to visiting patients in hospital. None of this is particularly new or revolutionary and much is voluntary work already carried by organisations like the Guides, Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme participants. What is different is that way ‘Sewa’ has planned the day.

There are no egos, a seemingly amorphous group of individuals have called their friends, who have called friends and suddenly the idea has taken shape. The concept of ‘Sewa’ (good works) is seemingly hardwired into the genetic code of Asians. Adding a dash of clever marketing has seen a number of high-profile media organisations and partners join to movement, volunteering time and money to help launch National Sewa Day, 21st November 2010 into the nation’s psyche.

“Big Society”? Sorry Mr. Prime Minister…we thought of it first!

In his blog, Arup Ganguly, Chairman of National Sewa Day said “I do applaud the spirit of volunteering and community service at the heart of the ‘Big Society’ plan. As a society, for too long, we’ve been happy to let someone else take responsibility. That has to change – we all need to show more care for our local environment, neighbour hood and community if we want to build a better world”

Mr Ganguly laughingly berates David Cameron for laying claim to the concept of “Big Society”. “I’m sorry Mr Prime Minister, we thought if first” and we have thousands of years of history to prove it!” he adds. “Now clearly, one day isn’t going to make a significant difference but we’re hoping that National Sewa Day will lead to habit formation – that folks who take part this year will make volunteering a part of their regular routine.”

The whole of ‘National Sewa Day’ is floating on a miasma of sheer goodwill under the slogan of “let’s not be selfish, but be selfless”. Thousands have already signed up and there is a palpable sense of anticipation among individuals. A real opportunity to do good without the expectation of any reward - the essence of the Hindu definition of the word ‘Sewa’.

National Sewa Day, 21st November 2010

If you would like to be a part of National Sewa Day register as a volunteer at http://www.nationalsewaday.org/

Is Islamophobia stopping aid to Pakistan?

By Lopa Patel, 13th August 2010

With nearly a third of country under water, 14 million people displaced, a 1600 death toll (and rising), Oxfam have called Pakistan’s floods a “mega” disaster. And yet the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal has raised a paltry £10.5 million after 10 days, despite high-profile TV appeals by Boxer Amir Khan and actor Art Malik. Compared to the 2005 Pakistan earthquake which had $70 committed per person; Cyclone Nargis which had $46 committed per person and Haiti which had $495 committed per person, the Pakistan Flood appeal so far has only $3.60 committed per person affected. Is this due donor fatigue? After all, it seems we have a major disaster in the world every year. Is it due to a lack of coordination, hampered by slow action from the government of Pakistan? Perhaps it is due to the fact that Ramadan has started and national holidays have begun in many countries around the world. Or perhaps it is “Islamophobia”* that is preventing British donations for the DEC Pakistan Flood appeal.

To date only five donors – USA, Australia, UK, Italy and Kuwait – have committed or pledged more than $5m in new funding in response to the crisis. The UN is setting up a humanitarian coordination centre in Islamabad, and will launch a comprehensive plan for the disaster in the coming days. The Pakistan government has announced that it will send delegations to other countries to seek financial support for flood-affected people.

India, Pakistan’s nearest neighbour has been slow to react. The 2006 Mumbai bombings may be uppermost in the minds of many Indians with only one perpetrator, allegedly from the militant Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, having so far been bought to justice. The Mumbai bombings were followed by the shootings in 2009 at the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore which injured players. During his July 2010 visit to Delhi, British Prime Minister David Cameron was reported to have said that “"we cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that [Pakistan] is allowed to look both ways and is able…..to promote the export of terror, whether to India or whether to Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world."

Although his comments created a strong backlash in Pakistan and the subsequent visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to the UK in August then lead Mr Cameron to state that “the relationship between Britain and Pakistan was 'unbreakable'”, in the minds of the British public the terms “Pakistan” and “terrorism” appear inextricably linked. Add to this the almost daily news coverage about the activities of Islamists in flood-hit regions and it is easier to understand why the purses and pocketbooks of the public are not flying open to help.

‘Floods opening the floodgates for Pakistan’s extremists’

On the ‘Secular Pakistan’ blog a post by Daud Khattak (7th August 2010) states “the perceived failure of the [Pakistan] government has opened new vistas for pro-Taliban religio-political parties and outlawed militant organizations to win the hearts and minds of locals in this war-weary region. The current catastrophe marks the third time since late 2005 that jihadist and pro-Taliban elements in Pakistan have been able to cash in on natural or man made disasters to broaden their base of support and win the sympathy of the public by extending support to battered people.”

Mr Khattak adds “these organizations have already established camps in flood-hit areas in Nowshera, Charsadda, and Peshawar, as well as in the Swat region. In addition, they are actively soliciting donations to support their work from across the country, thus creating the impression nationally that they are more concerned about flood victims than the government is.”

So what is the answer?

All this makes the British charity donor nervous. Will their donation really go to help flood victims? Or will it end up in the hands of extremists? The answer is to allow established aid agencies like Oxfam, Save the Children and the British Red Cross to undertake vital work like delivering clean drinking water, setting up make-shift shelters, provide food and medicines to prevent starvation and disease. Setting aside the alarming news reports, the prejudices of old and the baseless “Islamophobic” thoughts, this is the humanist response. You can donate to DEC at http://www.dec.org.uk/

References:

Facts from Oxfam

• Within the first 10 days of the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, which left some 3.5m people homeless, the international community had committed $247m and pledged $45m. This works out to $70 committed per person, 10 days into the crisis.

• In the first 10 days after Cyclone Nargis, which affected 2.4m when it struck off the coast of Myanmar, almost $110m was committed (and $109m pledged) in the first 10 days. This works out at $46 committed per person.

• Likewise some $742m was committed to Haiti 10 days after the quake and $920 million pledged. Some 1.5m were directly affected by the quake, which works out at $495 per person, in funds committed, in the first 10 days.

Floods Opening The Floodgates For Pakistan’s Extremists.

* Islamophobia is prejudice against Islam or Muslims. In 1997, the British Runnymede Trust defined Islamophobia as the "dread or hatred of Islam and therefore, to the fear and dislike of all Muslims," stating that it also refers to the practice of discriminating against Muslims by excluding them from the economic, social, and public life of the nation.