Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have become increasingly influential in the past 50 years. Awareness of human rights and social and environmental causes has increased, and NGOs have helped empower people. This has raised the hackles of power hounds, who now want to label voluntary organisations as 'anti-national' or 'corrupt'. Violent attacks on social activists, and recent government moves to channel funds of NGOs, reek of political vendetta. NGOs are fighting back through peaceful means. Down To Earth investigates the challenge facing civil society institutions in India