The Association for India's Development, Inc. (AID) (also called AID or AID India) is a secular charity organization based in the United States which promotes "sustainable, equitable and just development". AID has won several awards for its work, including the 'Global Impact Award' by the prominent newspaper 'The Times of India'.

Activities

AID supports grassroots organizations in India in interconnected spheres such as education, livelihoods, natural resources including land, water and energy, agriculture, health, women's empowerment and social justice. AID supports rural technology centers and is active in the antinuclear movement. It is active also in the controversies regarding the environmental and social effects of the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Organization in the United States

AID consists of a decentralized network of chapters which raise and utilize funds independently. There were 36 chapters in 2010 with a total volunteer strength of around 1000. The major activities of U.S. chapters are raising funds, reviewing and supporting projects in India and informing and mobilizing their communities about important social and developmental issues in India. There were about 100 projects actively supported by AID chapters in 2010.

Organization in India

AID has about eight active chapters in India, with a combination of AID U.S. volunteers who have returned to India and volunteers who have joined the organization directly in India. The main activities of AID chapters in India include the formulation and execution of various projects and monitoring non AID India NGOs that AID supports.

Saathis and Jeevansaathis

In addition to funding NGOs and associated projects, AID also supports outstanding social and environmental activists in India with "Saathi" awards, which can take the form of a research stipend. AID so far has 26 Saathis. AID's Saathis include the prominent anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kumar Kejriwal is an Indian social activist fighting for greater transparency in Government. He was awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in 2006, for activating India's Right to Information movement at grassroots and social activities to empower the poorest citizens to...

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The Jeevansaathi program began in 1998 to enable and encourage AID volunteers to engage in full time social work. AID Jeevansaathis make a commitment to work on development issues, being part of AID's network and opening up new directions for AID to explore. Only ex-AID volunteers are eligible to become Jeevansathis. Currently AID has seven Jeevansaathis.

External links

• AID web site