Opinion | The Sacred Duty of NGOs—Guarding Against Ego

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are built on the foundation of selfless service, compassion, and the pursuit of social justice. They exist to uplift communities, empower the vulnerable, and bring positive change where it is needed most. However, the greatest challenge for any institution driven by a noble cause is to remain true to its mission over time. When an NGO shifts its focus from service to self-preservation, from people to power, from humility to hierarchy, it risks becoming what it was never meant to be—an EGO-driven entity rather than a mission-driven one.

Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy provides a profound guide for NGOs in navigating this responsibility. Gandhi believed that service should be free from personal ambition, and he warned against accumulating more than what is necessary. His principle of Trusteeship teaches that resources—whether wealth, power, or influence—are not meant for personal gain but should be used for the well-being of society. He famously said:

> “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.”

 

In Young India (1929), he elaborated on this by stating:

> “We are not owners of our wealth but trustees, and if we use more than what we need, we are guilty of theft.”

 

For NGOs, this means that any excess—whether in wealth, power, or recognition—that does not directly serve the people is a betrayal of their mission. The moment an NGO starts working for its own expansion rather than the upliftment of society, it moves away from Gandhi’s vision of selfless service.

Service Over Self: The Gandhian Foundation of NGOs

Every great spiritual and philosophical tradition has emphasized selfless service as the highest form of human action. The Bhagavad Gita teaches Nishkam Karma—action without attachment to personal gain. Islam upholds Sadaqah—charity given with pure intention, unseen by the world. Christianity speaks of humility and service as the path to righteousness, while Sikhism preaches Seva—unconditional service to humanity.

Gandhi’s concept of Sarvodaya (welfare of all) aligns with these values and serves as a moral compass for NGOs. He believed that any social work must empower the weakest first and should never be driven by self-interest, political motives, or financial gain. If an NGO becomes an institution of self-promotion rather than selfless service, it violates this fundamental principle.

The Perils of Ego in Humanitarian Work

Ego manifests in subtle but destructive ways:

1. Mission Drift: Organizations begin serving their own sustainability rather than the people they claim to help. Fundraising, publicity, and expansion become more important than actual grassroots work.

2. Power Struggles: Leadership becomes rigid, closed to feedback, and disconnected from the realities of the people they serve. Hierarchies within NGOs mirror the same oppressive systems they were meant to challenge.

3. Donor-Driven, Not People-Driven: When funding priorities dictate projects rather than the real needs of the community, the NGO loses its original purpose.

4. Lack of Accountability: An ego-driven NGO resists scrutiny, suppresses criticism, and operates in secrecy rather than transparency, ultimately leading to distrust.

5. Personal vs. Collective Good: If an NGO becomes centered around individuals rather than the cause, its work becomes an extension of personal ambition rather than social service.

 

The Higher Responsibility of NGOs

An NGO must remain above personal interests, above politics, and above self-promotion. It is not just another institution; it is a trust held in service of humanity. To maintain this trust, NGOs must follow certain ethical imperatives:

Remain Neutral and Inclusive: NGOs should always work for the well-being of all, without divisions or biases.

Practice Ethical Leadership: True leaders do not seek control; they cultivate leadership within the communities they serve.

Avoid Competition and Comparison: NGOs should not compete for credit, influence, or recognition. Collaboration, not competition, must drive humanitarian efforts.

Maintain Absolute Transparency: Every rupee spent, every project undertaken, must be accountable—not just to donors but to the people on the ground.

Gandhi lived by these principles himself. He rejected personal luxury, refused political power, and ensured that every action he took was aligned with the welfare of the masses. NGOs must ask themselves: Are we following the same path, or are we accumulating more than we need? Are we acting as trustees of resources, or are we becoming possessors?

The Path Forward: NGOs as Spiritual Institutions of Service

The highest ideal of an NGO should be to serve and then dissolve, leaving behind empowered communities that no longer need external intervention. Just as a candle burns itself to give light, an NGO must be willing to let go of its identity for the greater good.

If NGOs embrace selflessness over self-importance, ethics over ego, and service over power, they can become not just agents of social change but true messengers of peace.

The greatest humanitarian work is not just about feeding the hungry or building schools—it is about rebuilding trust, restoring dignity, and reviving hope. And for that, every NGO must remember: The moment it serves itself more than the people, it ceases to be an NGO and becomes an EGO.

Gandhi’s vision was not just about political freedom; it was about inner freedom—freedom from greed, from pride, and from the need for control. Let NGOs not just be organizations, but sacred movements of service, humility, and healing.

Adhik Kadam is the founder of the Borderless World Foundation, working for the rehabilitation and empowerment of orphaned girls and marginalized communities.