Giving Compass' Take:

• Anu Aga, writing for Philanthropy In Focus, explores the reasons why Indians are not tapping their charitable givers and why the country should pivot toward collaboration.

• How has India's philanthropy grown in the last five years? 

• Read Dasra's Indian Philanthropy Report of 2019. 

I think insecurity comes in the way of giving. Since we live in a country that provides no social security, we tend to constantly worry that should some emergency happen—such as an illness—we won’t have enough to take care of ourselves.

Another reason we don’t give is that we want to create wealth for our children and grandchildren and for the generations thereafter. Little do we realize that there is no end to this pursuit of more and more wealth.

The internal insecurity never lets us say that enough is enough. Thus, even if we have the intent to give, it is difficult to actually give.

How long can we go around asking for foreign donations when we have not tapped our own potential for giving? And how long will our have-not sit quietly and wait for change to happen?

In our own enlightened self-interest, we must realize that one day people will start demanding the things that will enable them to have a dignified life–nutrition, education and livelihoods—and rightfully so.

Read the full article on giving in India by Anu Aga at Philanthropy In Focus.