A grand white sign on the India-Pakistan border proclaims: "You are now entering the world's largest democracy". But the phrase fails to do justice to the enormous diversity of people and geography that is modern India.

Since independence and the end of the British Raj in 1947, India has struggled with economic, political and social challenges on a grand scale.

The size of India's formerly closed economy and its emergence in the early 1990s as a nuclear state make it a world power, but crises continue to threaten India's delicate environmental, social and political balance. While the damage caused by the 2004 tsunami is being slowly repaired and violence in Kashmir is, for now, subdued, ongoing issues surrounding sustainable development, especially in poor northern, eastern and western regions, continue to loom large.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Our work in India began in the 1950s, when crop failure and high population growth were contributing to widespread famine. Since that time the focus has been on self-help initiatives, where Oxfam's support in administration, networking, research, training and funding has proven invaluable to local groups addressing rural poverty, gender equity, HIV and AIDS, emergencies and sustainable livelihood issues of poor minorities.

CURRENT PROGRAMS

Sustainable livelihoods

Our work focuses on poor men and women, whose livelihoods depend on natural resources and running small businesses. We work with local partners to help them form small groups, provide income support or small loans, provide training and advocate on issues which affect them.

HIV and AIDS

We work with local community groups to build awareness about HIV and AIDS and safer sex and encourage networking to pool ideas and resources and lobby for changes in government policy and increased services at all levels.

Indigenous rights

We work with local partners to give indigenous tribal communities a representative voice in the complex debates over precious natural resources, including campaigning for changes in legislation, logging and management activities. We also provide economic and community organisation support to help them excercise their social and cultural rights.

Emergencies

The tsumani in December 2004, followed by floods in July 2005 and an earthquake in October 2005, have left millions of people without homes, livelihoods and basic necessities. We initially responded to these disasters with emergency relief including food, water, sanitation and health education, but have since shifted focus to long-term assistance aimed at re-establishing basic infrastructure, small businesses and other livelihood optioins.

To find out more about our work in India visit www.oxfam.org.au/world/sthasia/india