A concept Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

 

by Dr. R. K. Dave
Senior Specialist (Policies and Plans), National Disaster Management Authority, New Delhi

 

India - Vulnerabilities and Risk
India’s geo-climatic conditions as well as its high degree of socio-economic vulnerability, makes it one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. It is a common notion that most disasters result from the action or inaction of people and their social and economic structures. This is a consequence of people living in ways that degrade their environment, developing and over-populating urban centers, or creating and perpetuating inequitable social and economic systems. Communities and population settled in areas susceptible to the impact of a raging river or the violent tremors of the earth are placed in situations of high vulnerability and adverse impact because of their socio-economic conditions. This is compounded by every aspect of nature being subject to seasonal, annual and sudden fluctuations and also due to the unpredictability of the timing, frequency and magnitude of the occurrence of disasters.

Talk on Corporate Social Responsibility

 

by Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman Emeritus, Infosys
on the occasion of award by Chirmule Pratishthan at Pune on 29th March 2013

 

Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, Mr. Kumar Ketkar, Mr. Arun Godbole, Mr. P. N. Joshi, Shri S. Bhosale respected members of the trust, jury, students, ladies and gentleman a very good evening. It is truly an honour to receive this Puraskar which has been conferred upon greats like our Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Dr. Anil Kakodkar and Dr. Vijay Bhatkar among others. I am grateful to the management for having chosen me for the prestigious Chirmule Puraskar.

A few words on W.G. Chirmule

On this occasion, it is important that we remember Annasaheb Chirmule for his immense contribution to Satara and India. Shri Annasaheb Chirmule was indeed a pioneer in the banking and insurance industry in Maharashtra and India. He envisioned the need of an insurance company as early as 1913. He founded the United Western Bank, one of the commercial banks in united India way back in 1936. He was also a believer in equitable growth in India, where every citizen has the right to pursue his or her dream. Therefore, on this occasion, it is fitting to share my thoughts on corporate social responsibility and how we can contribute to create a better India.

Corporate Social Responsibility

 

From Prof. N. R. Sheth
Former Director, IIM, Ahmedabad

 

A corporate enterprise has been recognized as a "person" in law. It should also be recognized as a person in society. A corporate takes birth and grows in response to needs and labours of various stakeholders- entrepreneurs, managers, workers, local community, larger society, buyers, suppliers and of course, the state. Healthy survival and development depend on adequate nurturing by all these stakeholders. The concept of social responsibility should therefore include the whole spectrum of stakeholders. Responsibility should be clearly perceived and projected as responsibility and therefore be kept away from ideas of philanthropy, charity, generosity and the like. A corporate, as a citizen, should understand that its own well-being is inextricably linked with the well-being of all stakeholders. Its financial management as well as human resources should notionally cover all stakeholders. One pragmatic way of defining social responsibility is to allocate resources for material and human investment BEYOND LEGAL OBLIGATIONS. How far and how should one contribute to the short-and long-term welfare of employees, clients, suppliers, people in the hinterland (especially those who supply human capital) and the wider population? What can be done to build bridges of understanding and mutuality with various categories of stakeholders? How does one demonstrate a mindset which emphasizes interest in other beyond the realm of self-interest?

Corporates, Government and Non - Governmental Organizations : Changing Roles in Development

 

by Shashi K. Sharma

 

When we talk of development, the instant image that comes to mind is of certain activities or processes taking place for the betterment of our present and future generations, by uplifting their standard of living. As the title suggests, the author tracks the changing roles of the three major stakeholders in the society, viz. the government, Non-government Organisations (NGOs) and the corporate sector, in influencing the process of development. Beginning from the British Raj and tracing its way up to the present development scenario in the country, the article shows us how the above players have metamorphosed into efficacious entities in bringing about the process of development.

Working separately, the impact of the above three entities is limited to a certain extent. Keeping this in mind, the author opines that if all three work hand in hand with each other and realize that they are striving towards achieving the same goal, i.e., progress of the country, it would surely be the beginning of a new era in the field of development.

Glass is half-full or half-empty - the classic paradigm difference which distinguishes an optimist from a pessimist is very appropriately applicable to India today.