Corporate Social Responsibility: Progress through Partnership

TBB BUREAU

BHUBANESWCAR, JANUARY 29, 2022

With an objective to facilitate dialogue with stakeholders to sketch out a framework for inclusive growth of the State, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Odisha organized a virtual conclave on “Corporate Social Responsibility: Progress through Partnership” on Saturday. Leaders from leading corporate houses in Odisha deliberated on leveraging CSR initiatives by various organizations for the development of weaker sections of the society.

CII Odisha State Council Vice Chairman and NALCO Chairman & Managing Director Sridhar Patra delivered the welcome address in the inaugural session.

Nixon Joseph, Ex-President & Chief Operating Officer, SBI Foundation & CEO, CLT India, and Dr Akshay Rout, Board of Directors, LIC Housing Finance, Senior Advisor (SUWASI), KPMG, former DG, Swachh Bharat Mission, and former DG, Election Commission of India also addressed the inaugural session.

Vote of thanks was delivered by Prashant Hota, Convenor, CII Odisha CSR and Skills Panel and President, Group Head CSR, Education and Sustainability, Head-Odisha Corporate Communications, Jindal Steel & Power.

The inaugural session was followed by a panel discussion moderated by senior journalist Akshay Sahoo.

CSR heads from Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Vedanta Limited, JK Paper Mills Limited, JSW Steel Limited, Paradeep Phosphates Limited and NALCO participated in the panel discussion. Discussions were held to create a robust ecosystem through Public-Private Partnership and strategic engagement of the stakeholders to benefit the destitute communities and people from the bottom of the pyramid.

Prashant Hota summed up the panel discussion and took forward the suggestion of the panel to prepare a recommendation paper for submission to the Government and sharing with other stakeholders.

Speaking on the occasion, Hota said that sustainability of CSR projects hinges upon collaboration, people’s participation: Hota

 “In recent years, we have seen excellent collaboration between the government and Corporates in mitigating the pandemic-induced human miseries. Similar preparedness is necessary to reduce global warming and execute the climate change action plan for saving our people and planet,” said Hota.