Corporate Social Responsibility in India: Past, Present and Future

Business houses and corporate have been taking up social welfare activities from time to time. Recently, priority of business is getting widened from 1 P to 3 Ps by inclusion of People and Planet with Profit. Short-term, charity-based welfare interventions are being replaced by long-term, empowerment-based Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Based on the realization, “Business cannot succeed in a society that fails”, CSR is being considered as an imperative for carrying on business in the society rather than as a charity. While CSR is relevant for business in all societies, it is particularly significant for developing countries like India, where limited resources for meeting the ever growing aspirations and diversity of a pluralistic society, make the process of sustainable development more challenging. CSR interventions – based on commitment, mobilization of employees-voluntarism, innovative approaches, appropriate technology and continuing partnership – have been making lasting differences in the life of the disadvantaged. Further, synergy of corporate action with the government and the civil society are making the CSR interventions more effective and facilitating the corporate carrying on business in the society. Covering a wide range of subjects from theory to practice, this book has outlined steps to be taken by the major stakeholders – the Corporate, the Government and the Civil society- for making CSR effective in the Indian context. Based on case studies and best practices, this handbook on CSR seeks to provide valuable insights and pragmatic solutions to the corporate managers. It will be of interest to government officials, NGOs and media and helps in making development sustainable in general and growth inclusive in particular.