About Us

ODISHA NAGARIKA SAMAJ

There are more than 20,000 registered societies in the state that aim at working among the people on various development issues and yet half of the state population continues to live below poverty line. After 11 five year plans and large investment by the state, the absolute number of poor people in the state is still on the rise. On human development indicators, Odisha continues to be at the bottom among the major states.

The NGOs, one of the 40 plus civil society categories in the state, had arrived on the scene with a big bang and velvet growth in the early seventies, generating a lot of promise and hopes. Despite flashes of success and sincere initiatives and dedication by some, they are a fragmented house today with a battered and bruised image. The health of the disorganized civil society is no better as many of its members work in isolation of each other, without any unity in mind and purpose. A strong civil society can not be built by weak citizens and their weaker associations. Therefore, the time has come for the sensible citizens and CSOs of the state to introspect and reassess their situation, identify weaknesses and gray areas, reexamine their present role and relevance and rebuild a new civil society coalition and collective to forcefully voice the genuine concerns of the people and the state as a whole.

Vision,Objectives & Strategy: Consequently, based on the input and insights of the citizen sector members, the following vision and objectives have been identified for the state level civil society, ie, “Odisha Nagarik Samaj” (ONAS).

Vision: An inclusive, united and proactive Citizen Sector, working together for a self reliant, socially just and self respecting Odisha, living in peace and progressive harmony with Indian and international civil society.

Objectives:

To work as a lobby, advocacy ,pressure group and watch dog body to protect and promote the legitimate interest of the state of Odisha , its civilizational heritage and values, and common property sources,

To provide policy and strategy inputs to national and state plans with a bearing on Odisha,

To facilitate civil society solidarity and collaborative partnership at various levels on social and human development issues of common concern.

To build a platform for the Civil Society stakeholders to come together for exchange of ideas, views and experience.

To promote dialogue and networking among stakeholders in the civil society as a means of empowering them.

To develop a common vision and agenda for constructive engagement with the public and private sectors.

To function as a Coalition and common forum to encourage an effective interface between the three key sectors, namely, state, market and the citizen sector.

To support and promote social harmony, secular humanism, civic peace building, social alliance and issue based solidarity.

To undertake/sponsor action research/studies on emerging state issues and create a knowledge and evidence base to support its intervention programmes.

Membership

Organisations and individuals who are passionate about Odisha’s development and believe and accept the vision, values and principles of ONAS, are eligible for ONAS membership.

A Member of ONAS can recommend an individual and similarly a Member Organisation / Institution can also recommend another Organisation for ONAS membership .after scrutinizing their profile.

However, people with credibility and reputation in the field of social work/social activism / expertise and experience in different fields can also be invited to be Members of ONAS.

Membership fees: The fee will be annual and in the form of voluntary donation without limit and preferably a minimum of half percent of annual income of the members in order to make ONAS self sustaining. Membership policy could be reviewed every two years. There will be life Members and organizational Members also. The amount of their donation fee will be decided by ONAS.

ABOUT US

ODISHA NAGARIKA SAMAJ

Membership

ODISHA NAGARIKA SAMAJ

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