Thank you very much for your explanation and the threads. I read them and realized “do the needful” like you explained is not Standard English and it could be even wrong. I heard it from a colleague who is from India and I even had an argument with him over its accuracy because I have never even read it in a book or in any speech from native speakers. So now thanks to your explanations I have no doubt and I am going to stick to what native speakers like you are familiar with otherwise most of the native speakers will not understand or get offended., In modern contexts, I always see goodwill. Of course, if you are talking about the Christmas angels, you might say, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men' (as in the King James Bible)., That all depends upon what you mean by "favour" favour, us favor /ˈfeɪvə/n an approving attitude; good will an act performed out of good will, generosity, or mercy prejudice and partiality; favouritism a condition of being regarded with approval or good will (esp in the phrases in favour, out of favour) a token of love, goodwill, etc a small gift or toy given to a guest at a party a badge .