'We Have To Present Our Work Professionally To Gain Investments', Says NEAID Co-Founder Meraj Ahmed

Guwahati: The Northeast is seeing a paradigm shift in social work, where professional acumen is becoming an ever-increasing determinant in fulfilling long-standing societal problems.

Business North East (BNE) recently interviewed Meraj Ahmed, the co-founder of Northeast Centre for Equity Action on Integrated Development (NEAID), at the Northeast Social Work Conclave, conducted by India Awaz Foundation at Gauhati University, to discuss the changing landscape of social welfare in the region.

A New Era of Social Work in Northeast India

"We are at a stage where impact-driven, professional social work is needed. Conclaves like these bring in opportunities for student, social worker, and institution collaborations," said Ahmed, underlining the necessity for adopting professionalism in social work.

The inaugural social work conclave saw academicians, students, and practitioners come together to deliberate on the future of social welfare.

Government and Corporate Collaborations

NEAID has been engaged in close collaborations with government and corporate bodies for the execution of different social welfare programs.

"We have worked as a partner agency of the central government for the past two and a half years in seven districts, managing CSR implementations for the most part," said Ahmed. The body also works together with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to carry out awareness drives.

Ahmed explained that even though NEAID is linked with the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), they are not responsible for providing Jal Sakhis (female entrepreneurs selling water security). Rather, the organisation looks after training, community awareness and mobilisation, while contractors undertake infrastructure work.

NEAID has also collaborated with PSUs such as ONGC for various social campaigns and is now in talks with Oil India Limited and ONGC for new initiatives.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Ahmed pointed to the special challenges of social work in Northeast India, such as geographical isolation, limited funding, and persuading donors of the development potential of the region. "In relation to the rest of India, we get the least amount of funding in the social sector. We have to present our work professionally to gain investments," he claimed.

A primary issue raised at the conclave was the balance between work and life, along with career prospects, of graduates in social work. Students generally prefer salary compensation and working times to field placement.

Ahmed highlighted the need for internships, immersion in community settings, and experiential learning in university curricula so that students would be better suited to the world outside. In the early years, the emphasis should be on learning rather than monetary gains. A deeper understanding of social challenges will lead to a more lasting career in the sector.

Expanding Outreach and Future Collaborations

NEAID is actively seeking partnerships with international donors through its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) status to bring global investments into the region. The organisation also plans to strengthen collaborations with universities. "We have previously worked with Assam University and NEHU, and we are open to more partnerships with educational institutions for training programs and campaigns," Ahmed added.

Established in February 2017, NEAID, headquartered in Guwahati, is a non-governmental organisation serving the seven northeastern states. With its initial aim being education, the organisation gradually branched out to include STEM education, whole-school change, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), healthcare and disaster response.