TIMELINE OF KEY MILESTONES

India Development Service (IDS) is founded in 1974 by a small group of Indians in Chicago who were concerned about the misfortune of their fellow Indians in their home country. IDS was created to support economic and social development in India and began by organizing conferences and seminars with the aim of educating expatriated Indians in how to setup businesses in India in order to stimulate economic development.

At a conference in Chicago in 1976, Dr. E.F. Schumacher, distinguished British economist and author of “Small is Beautiful,” inspired IDS members to reexamine their approach to development. Through his presentation, IDS members began to realize they needed to readjust their approach and focus on people in need. Thus became the fundamental aim of the organization: to energize and support the efforts of local citizens to improve their own lives. Direct involvement with Indians in local villages brought to the forefront recognition of the catalytic role a few committed individuals can play in transforming the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people throughout the country.

To date, IDS has helped fund more than 200 projects in over 22 states benefiting over 200,000 people through the establishment of education programs, job training, micro-finance lending, health care initiatives, and agricultural support.

At the very outset, IDS recognized the validity of different development strategies and believed in their common goal to empower socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Forty years later, IDS continues to empower these individuals and could not do so without the generosity of its donors and the dedication of its volunteers.

Thank you to all of our donors and volunteers who believe in the mission of IDS and have supported the organization over the past 40 years.