CSR is not a charity but a duty and responsibility towards society, says Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh during the inaugural CSR Dialogue at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, Thane, Maharashtra.
CSR: A Sacred Duty Toward Society
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister, emphasized that corporate social responsibility (CSR) transcends charity; it’s a duty ingrained in our sanskaar and ancient Indian tradition. He highlighted the essence of giving back to society, a practice deeply rooted in Indian culture.
Inspiring Initiatives
The minister commended PM Modi’s impactful call urging affluent citizens to surrender gas subsidies voluntarily. Over 20 crore people responded, supporting the Ujjwala Yojana. Drawing parallels, he referenced Swami Vivekananda inspiring Jamshedji Tata to invest in healthcare, establishing institutions like TIFR, NCPA, and Tata Memorial Hospital.
Science and social responsibility
Dr. Singh underscored the role of teachers and science experts in leveraging their experience to become researchers and initiate startups. With India allocating Rs 25,000 crore under the CSR Act, he envisioned a significant increase in CSR contributions as India climbs the global economic ranks.
National Milestone
India, which pioneered CSR legislation on April 1, 2014, mandates companies to allocate 2% of their average net profit for the past three years to CSR activities. This groundbreaking move positions India at the forefront of CSR mechanisms globally, setting benchmarks for sustainability goals and stakeholder activism in nation-building.
As India aims to become the third-largest global economy by 2030, Dr Jitendra Singh called for collective efforts to contribute to CSR activities and inspire others, fostering a developed India by 2047. [PIB-1995896]