Interpretation of the term ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ is dynamic. It began as fair employee treatment and has moved to ethics in business supply chain management. As head of an industry led social development foundation, I often wonder whether my projects are being interpreted as a conduit to sell my products or even get our work done at low cost. My travel abroad and interaction with our rural men and women challenge my consciousness to understand deprivation and address it appropriately. Spiritualism has been the virtue of Indian society and I would like to be seen as part of team dedicated to its revival.

A recent international study concludes that protection of human rights is being addressed by just 1% of corporates through their CSR framework. Such statistics push us to look at the concept of empowerment. Our BPO, vocational centres, adolescent health workshops have given many young women a new lease of life and an ability to take informed decisions.

Another dilemma is to move away from cartels that operate under the guise of representing rural communities, and reach those sections who need our support the most. We have been fortunate to establish partnerships with premier civil society agencies and create community assets that have lesser chances of monopolisation. We have created an Advisory Board where civil society leaders advise us on our approach and aspects of sustainability.

We realise that our responsibility extends to areas which give us the natural resource required for our operations.