Patna: The Fourth International Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (ICCSR-2024) opened today at the Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP), centering on the theme “CSR and Rural Development: Leveraging the Opportunities.” The two-day event aims to deepen the understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) among academics, industry leaders, and policymakers, with a focus on fostering societal growth through strategic CSR initiatives.
The conference was inaugurated by Chief Guest Shri Amrit Lal Meena, IAS, Chief Secretary of Bihar, and Guest of Honour Mr. Binay Kumar Sinha, CGM, NABARD. Other distinguished speakers included Prof. Sapna Narula, Director of NIAM, and Mr. Rusen Kumar, Founder of India CSR.
In his welcome address, Prof. (Dr.) Rana Singh highlighted the transformative potential of CSR in addressing societal challenges through research-driven, actionable solutions. Prof. Senapati outlined the conference’s structure, which includes technical sessions, panel discussions, and cultural programs.
Shri Amrit Lal Meena emphasized the untapped potential of CSR in Bihar, noting that despite the state housing 10% of India’s population, it receives less than 1% of the country’s CSR expenditure. He called for CSR activities to be tailored to Bihar’s unique needs and suggested that CIMP could serve as a knowledge partner to the Bihar government in developing impactful CSR strategies.
Prof. Sapna Narula discussed the evolution of CSR from a compliance-driven obligation to a strategic initiative for businesses. She advocated for employee engagement in CSR activities and the development of multi-stakeholder platforms to achieve sustainable development goals.
Mr. Binay Kumar Sinha shared NABARD’s collaboration with the Dalmia Rural Tourism Project in Sasaram, which aims to position the district as a tourism hub by enhancing local skills and creating economic opportunities.
Mr. Rusen Kumar called for a targeted approach to CSR investments in Bihar, particularly in aspirational districts, suggesting village adoption programs to drive grassroots development. He also proposed quarterly CSR investment reports to guide policy and track emerging trends.
The inaugural session saw the launch of two books: “Role of AI in CSR – Connecting SDGs with Technology for Impact” by Kumod Kumar, CAO of CIMP, and Ms. Priya Nath, founder of Chitrakaya.com, and “Prioritizing Health, Welfare, and Sustainable Development through CSR: Preparing for ESG,” co-edited by Prof. Senapati, Kumod Kumar, and Prof. Rana Singh.
The keynote address by Prof. Vijaya Gupta of IIM Mumbai explored the role of women, migration, and corporate responsibility in bridging climate resilience and social equity, presenting her research on “Bridging Climate Resilience and Social Equity: The Role of Women, Migration, and Corporate Responsibility in an Inclusive Bharat.”
The technical sessions showcased 17 research presentations, offering diverse perspectives on leveraging CSR for rural development. A panel discussion titled “CSR and Rural Development: Leveraging Opportunities” further explored innovative approaches to sustainability and community engagement beyond government policies.
The day concluded with a Litti Fest celebrating Bihar’s rich culinary heritage and cultural performances featuring classical and folk dances. As ICCSR-2024 continues tomorrow, it promises to deliver more insights and strategies to harness CSR for rural transformation and sustainable development.
