Social Responsibility and Corporates by Kumar Builders
“On action alone be thy interest, Never on its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be thy motive, Nor be thy attachment to inaction.“
- Bhagavadgita, Chapter 2
These lines from the Bhagavadgita epitomize the essence off Corporate Social Responsibility.
CSR is not new in India, many companies like TATA and Indian Oil have been contributing towards the society before CSR was defined. In the initial phase it was a running trend among corporates to indulge int CSR activities and use it as a merely as a smart marketing gimmick. However, over the years the trend has shifted from focusing solely on making a profit and companies have realised that what is good for employees, shareholders, environment and society is good for business!
CSR is a very wide topic and has been defined by many organizations but the most apt definition is by the World Business Council, “Corporate social responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the community and society at large”.
Thus, corporate social responsibility is a twofold concept wherein a firm has to take care of business ethics when it comes down to the stakeholders of the company as well as a firms accountability towards the society at large.
Although India is a rapidly developing country in terms of socio-economic development, it still has ingrained problems like illiteracy, lack of health care, environmental issues etc which need to be addressed. Companies have been investing a huge chunk of their reserves in CSR activities and are contributing towards the social well being of the economy. These activities in many cases are inclined towards upholding clearly defined laws and acts by the government, for example: Child Labor and Right to Organization, Right to information and Corruption, Environment, Labor laws etc. Employees form the very backbone of these programs and take active participation in CSR efforts even on holidays. This is mainly because companies are having dedicated departments for their CSR activities.
These days companies are adopting entire villages and giving their CSR programs a holistic approach. They take care of health and sanitation, education, unemployment and infrastructure facilities for these underdeveloped villages. Some companies also initiate their CSR activities through partnerships with NGO’s that focus on certain social issues and are well versed with the problems faced by villager.
Kumar Builders has also initiated an extensive sustainable development program for the society by focusing on education, slum rehabilitation and environmental issues.
We have introduced a unique project for slum dwellers in the Erandwane-Kelewadi area under the slum rehabilitation project as per the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), scheme launched by the state government. We are constructing a 2BHK semi-furnished apartment of 269 sq ft carpet area for slum dwellers. We wish to create decent living conditions for slum dwellers so they and their children can have a good future and also have a firm roof above their heads.
In addition to this we have a talent harnessing project called Gunvatta Vikas Yojana which is in action since 10 years in memory of late Shri. Kesarimalji H.Oswal for around 6000 students and 500 schools across Maharashtra. Our aim is to create confidence in under privileged students through an over all development of their skills so that they emerge as the thought leaders of tomorrow.
Kumar builders also believes in supporting environmental programs wherein every year our employees plant around 1000 saplings and participate in clean city drives so that we do out bit and help fight against global warming.
CSR has come a long way in India and companies are taking some serious efforts towards sustainable development of the society. Today it’s difficult for one single entity to eradicate all social issues at one go. Corporates have the financial reserves, expertise and manpower to execute these activities and bring a revolutionary change in our society. Thus indulging in these activities and crafting social development will only add to the good of the company and society at large.