Despite some recent cases that somewhat reflected people's insensitivity in the country, a study shows India tops in terms of number of people helping out strangers, volunteering their time and giving money for charity.
As per the World Giving Index (WGI) released by the Charity Aid Foundation (CAF), India's overall position (percentage of population) in global generosity jumped to 91 in 2015 from 106 in 2014.
The report states that in India, 401 million people had helped a stranger in 2015 which is up from 335 million in 2014.
The report adds that more than 200 million in India had given money up from 184 million in 2014 and 200 million people in India volunteered this year as compared to 157 million in 2014.
In terms of percentage, however, Myanmar tops the world with 70 per cent overall generosity, where 63 per cent people helped strangers, 91 per cent people donated money and 55 per cent people volunteered time. Myanmar is followed by the US, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Canada, Indonesia, the UK, Ireland and the UAE.
"India has a fabulous tradition and culture of giving and it is great news that India is becoming more generous over time," said Meenakshi Batra, Chief Executive of CAF India.
She added that people generously stepped up to help after the devastating Tamil Nadu floods and the Nepal earthquake.
"It's humbling that people instinctively try to help when they see their fellow citizens suffering adversity," said Batra.
The CAF is a Britain-based international non-profit organisation NGO and the research was conducted over 140 countries.
Individually, the report says 81 per cent people helped a stranger in Iraq followed by 79 per cent Libya and 78 per cent in Kuwait.
Similarly, 60 per cent people in Turkmenistan volunteered their time, followed by Myanmar, Indonesia and Sri Lanka and the US.
In terms of donating money, Myanmar tops, followed by Indonesia with 75 per cent of donors and Australia, where 73 per cent of population donated.
In terms of the number of helping strangers, India was followed by China with 272 million people and the US with 191 million people.
Following India, 120 million people in the US and 93 million people in Indonesia also devoted their valuable time in volunteering towards a social cause.
The US with 165 million donors was second in terms of donating money and Indonesia third with 139 million donors.
As per the survey, more people than ever before are helping others in countries across the globe.
"For the first time since the index began, more than half of people in 140 countries said they helped a stranger, and a record number of people volunteered their time. The numbers of people worldwide giving money was very slightly up," the report said.
(With IANS inputs)
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