Corporate Social Responsibilty - Is it for real?

Philanthropy makes business sense to corporate Lucknow

Anisha Sharma

While Bill Gates and Warren Buffets of the world pursue philanthropic interests, Indian corporate houses are equally aware of living up to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and Tata, Infosys, Wipro, Reliance, Ranbaxy, Hindalco, NTPC, ONGC and IOC among others set the trend. Lucknow's CRS scene is also upbeat because, corporates also validate their brand's presence by sharing their booty with society. Obviously enough, CSR makes good sense for business! Shall we say, Cheers to this symbiotic arrangement?

IIM Lucknow's Prof Debashish Chatterjee spells the tenet: "Corporate houses are units of society. And as you gain from society, you should be giving back." That is exactly how JRD Tata saw it, way back in the previous century. Some visionary! Jayant Krishna, heading Tata's TCS-Lucknow airs: "JRD Tata always believed that 'What comes from the people should go back to the people many times over." "As a matter of fact, a significant part of the profits of Tata Sons Limited is ploughed back to enrich the nation through various philanthropic trusts," he continues, apparently proud to belong to the magnanimous organisation.

It's not money alone that makes all the difference - sharing of resources, time and energy also means a lot. Vivek Sinha heading a Lucknow branch of Standard Chartered Bank says, "We believe and work for AIDS awareness and prevention, and eye-donations." Now that's something! TCS on the other hand goes about donating blood, distributing computers to underprivileged schools and hospitals, and runs adult literacy centres etc, while Sahara India is busy beautifying city-crossroads and extending literacy and vocational training to slum-dwellers. Participating in the Polio drive, supporting Kargil martyrs' families, arranging for mass-weddings, are just some of the other activities on Sahara's CSR agenda, according to its Corporate Communications head, Abhijit Sarkar. He encapsulates the vision as "An urge to imporove the lot of the socially and economically marginalised members of our society, and facilitate a life of dignity and respect for them." Sounds profound, no? Admen would have us believe that charitable activities are also a positive way of strengthening the brand’s image in public memory. BN Pande heading the city-branch of a national ad firm says, “Charity work definitely earns goodwill and respect for the brand, which furthers the business too.” So the wheel of abundance keeps moving.

Without doubt, CSR seems to be gaining ground in Lucknow. As a home-grown organic-agricultural corporate firm, Organic India, makes its mark on the global market with its Tulsi tea, it is quick to look at ways to further its credo of ‘unique and successful business modality, committed to service, sanctity and integrity.’ Its CEO RB Singh takes the sustainable business model further with a tree-plantation drive for a ‘Clean Green Lucknow’. “Also, through sharing our know-how in organic agriculture with green-fingered Lucknowites by helping them grow organic veggies at home,” adds Singh. Now that’s a new one!

So, as corporate houses raise their CSR quotient to enrich society, admen applaud the business practice, and the cycle of abundance goes on as per new-age Guru Deepak Chopra. While corporate houses do their bit, is anything stopping the small time businessmen in Nawabi Lucknow to share their money, know how, time or energy to make a positive difference to society, in their own special way? By the looks of it, Lucknow’s getting philanthropic already…