A panel discussion on Sustainable Development Corporate Social Responsibility – Road Map for MSMEs was organized by World Trade Centre (WTC) Bhubaneswar in association with Business Standard, a leading business daily of India. Moderator Mr. Dillip Satapathy, Resident Editor, Business Standard led the discussion along with the respective corporate leaders namely Dr. Lopamudra Priyadarshani, Head CSR Sonalika Group -International Tractors Limited, Mr. Prashant Hota, Executive Vice President, Head Corporate Communications, Jindal Steel& Power Ltd. and Mr. Prafulla Dhal, General Manager, JK Paper Ltd.
Mr. Satapathy initiated the discussions. He shared his views on the regulatory framework and threshold limits applicable on CSR activities. He further elaborated on how the environmental suitability is to be achieved through CSR initiatives. He also emphasised on establishing stronger connections of CSR activities with the MSMEs and the young prospective entrepreneurs paving way for greater employment generation and development of Social Enterprises.
Dr. Lopamudra Priyadarshani advocated the need for reorientation of the corporates in their respective CSR implementation models. “Corporates should work beyond looking at CSR initiatives as a tool for marketing and branding building” said Dr. Priyadarshani. She emphasised that CSR activities should be aimed at creating business and change makers in the society. Citing examples of various successful social enterprise models such as Amul, Husk Power Systems and Youth United etc. she deliberated that corporates should provide active support to social innovations.
Mr. Prashant Hota shared his views on attaining social equity through CSR. He encouraged MSMEs to take actively engage in supporting the initiatives of the large corporate houses. He highlighted how MSMEs provide for direct benefit of the local society largely by usage of local resources. He also encouraged cluster development by MSMEs which would further strengthen the outreach and bring in effective outcome of initiatives taken.
Mr. Prafulla Dhal in his deliberations shared the case study of J K Paper. He explained how from an environmentally negative industry evolved into becoming an environmentally positive industry by the active support of the small scale industries.
Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Manager – Trade Research, World Trade Centre Bhubaneswar said there CSR initiatives could be taken at a small scale effectively in correlation to the sustained development of the business, its goodwill as well as bringing in a holistic growth of the society. “It essential that large industries need to present a clear layout on how to connect their CSR practices through the downstream industries”
The panel discussion was held at the World Trade Centre Bhubaneswar on January 29, 2017.
In Photo: (L-R): Dr. Lopamudra Priyadarshani, Mr. Prashant Hota, Mr. Prafulla Dhal, Mr. Dillip Satapathy, Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan