How did the Maharashtra Foundation (MF) come into being?We have about 500 members, a majority of them Maharashtrians. Like every other NRI, all of us were feeling deep gratitude for the country we came from and also the country we made our fortunes in. So, we got together to form the MF to help organisations in India and U.S.A.The other factor that brought us together was the fanaticism present even among the Indians living abroad. We noticed that though most NRIs in the U.S. are materially secure, they are very insecure about their cultural identity. This is because U.S.A is one big melting pot where one can easily lose one's cultural identity. As a result, many Indians there turn to rituals, and even babas, in an effort to keep their traditions alive.Unfortunately, this has led to fanaticism even among them and it's ironic really, for they are the ones enjoying the fruits of a secular state. At the same time, we have seen how Indians in India are also becoming more fanatical. So we felt the need to do something about it.How do you help Indian NGOs?We provide financial aid to organisations that we believe are doing good work. In the U.S., we have several fund-raising events annually. Here, people donate to causes that are important to them. The MF ensures that this money goes to the right organisation in India or even in the U.S.A few days ago, we presented the Samajik Kritagyata Nidhi with a cheque of Rs 9 lakh. In the past, we have given such aid to Stree Mukti, Nari Samata Manch, Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti, SEWA, the Andhra Cyclone Relief Fund and so on.We are also interested in promoting Marathi literature, so we give away Rs 10 lakh every year to the most deserving writer. In the past, we have done so with Narayan Surve, Vasant Dhake and others. Our main aim is to promote progressive thought in India. We believe that besides the bare necessities like health and education, one also needs to assist forward thinking.How do you manage to keep check on the people you fund?We have a good system at work for this. Personally, I visit India at least four to five times a year and so do other members of the MF. To receive financial aid, the NGO should satisfy a few criteria. They must have Foreign Currency Regulation Act (FCRA) clearance. Then we personally visit the organisation to see the kind of work they do. Unfortunately, we have noticed that an NGO has become more of a business than a genuine attempt to provide help to the needy. I have seen how people who run orphanages hold their meetings at posh five-star hotels. At MF, we have just a two per cent expense ratio that pays for postage, printing and so on. All other expenses are borne by the members individually. If I come to India, the expense is borne by me personally.So we do look for people who are actually working towards the betterment of women, as also health, education. After receiving the funds, we obtain regular follow-up reports, so we do know what is going on. This way, even our donors are satisfied that their money is being utilised correctly.What are your future plans?We will continue with what we are doing but we want to bring about change that emphasises social reform. Indians abroad feel optimistic, yet afraid, about India. Optimistic because we know we are talented. But at the same time, we feel afraid - because of the sharp turn towards fanaticism the country has taken. One has only to look at countries like Bosnia and Iran to see what fanaticism can do. And we hope this does not happen to India.
