Bangalore beckons West for its social movements as well

By Malathi Nayak Dec 31, 2006, 9:33 GMT

Bangalore, Dec 31 (IANS) Even as the 'Incredible India' brand entices tourists with its mysticism and exotica, foreigners are pouring into Bangalore, often called the country's IT capital, for other reasons.

Paul Bowler, 19, with his red hair and rubicund complexion, conspicuously stands out here at a volunteer meeting Dream a Dream, a non-profit group.

Taking time off his academic pursuits, Paul has come from Germany to volunteer for a year. He is spearheading a creative art programme for the underprivileged kids who include slum children, runaway street boys and orphans.

'I had an option to choose between military service and social service. I volunteered in Ecuador before I came to Bangalore to explore its social sector,' he says.

Of late Bangalore, home to major software development companies and a destination for global outsourcing, has acquired its new mascot - the construction crane. But the view from any high rise would reveal the stark contrast between rapid development and marginalization of the urban poor.

Against this backdrop, the city is home to numerous social movements, citizen forums and corporate social responsibility programmes started by multinationals like Texas Instruments and Intel.

The volunteering opportunities offered by NGOs dealing with issues like child rights, women's empowerment, environment and civic awareness among others are catching the attention of prospective volunteers from across the world.

Dream a Dream, an NGO that works with underprivileged children in Bangalore, has welcomed around 10 volunteers from the US, Germany, Poland and Britain in the last two years alone.

'The Internet is providing us extensive exposure. We receive responses mostly from young volunteers under 25 but next month we will be joined by two psychologists from Britain who are over 50,' Vishal Talreja, director of Dream a Dream, told IANS.

Talking about the contributions of the global volunteers, Talreja says: 'One volunteer from Britain created project management systems that we have continued using after she left.'

Considering the paucity of time and sometimes the lack of experience, the organisations must ensure that the skills of these volunteers are put to good use.

'The real value they add to the system is the sensitisation through cultural exchange. Their skills only facilitate this process,' he adds.

Interestingly, the expatriates who come to Bangalore on work for brief periods have begun combining their interests - work, travel and volunteering.

The Bangalore Expatriate Club is an exclusive social club, and its members can be spotted at pubs and social gatherings across the city.

'We wanted our members to contribute to the active social sector in Bangalore that caught our attention. Our members who had prior volunteer experience in their homelands supported the idea,' explains Arvind Chandra, founder of Bangalore Expatriate Club.

'Volunteering to me is not about giving but sharing,' says Berenice Rouyar from France.

After completing a seven-month volunteering stint this year, she now organises volunteer activities and fund raising campaigns as part of the Social Programmes of the Bangalore Expatriate Club.

'My mother was upset when I chose India. But when I came to Bangalore it was quite different from the stereotypes we were familiar with,' she says.

Berenice is all for the cultural diffusion that the city offers and says she has no qualms in chatting with auto-rickshaw drivers while she is slowly learning Bangalore's local language, Kannada.

Describing Bangalore's culture, she says, 'It's mixed like European culture and easy to integrate into. The weather too is much better than other cities in south India.'

© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service