'NGO sounds negative, call yourselves volunteers'

NGOs should desist from calling themselves non-government organisations because it is "negative sounding" and should instead call themselves "voluntary organisations", Goa Governor Mridula Sinha says.

"During the course of discussion, the Governor told the members of the voluntary organisations that non-government organisations should rather call themselves 'voluntary organisations' and do away with the negative sounding non-governmental organisation terminology," said an official release. citing the governor as saying at a Swachh Bharat campaign, which was attended by representatives of several NGOs.

The release issued Wednesday also said that while volunteerism had big scope, organisations involved in the sector were "doing quality work with a negative name".

"Volunteerism is a big area and we work for society in an organised manner and do social work for pleasure and, therefore, you should adopt 'voluntary organisation' as a name to recognize your organization and not 'non-government organisation'," the release issued by the department of information and publicity said.