There were those who never believed in it, but are now reading, discussing and implementing new ideas to get attached to the philosophy. Those who have always been doing something are blending it with their business model. It is time we write off companies that do a lot on SR, but have a business model that is harmful for the society at large. The principle applies to every company, even the Tata Group at Kalinga Nagar, Orissa. It makes clear that each company needs to study an area and its resources before setting foot there.

Corporates need to realise that their social commitment is very much part of their business. The situation requires a company to understand, measure and report on the impact of their business on society. Social responsibility is the third leg of the three-legged business stool which stands on profits (our traditional economic efficiency), people and the planet. If it's missing, it leads to the failure of the whole system.

You said reporting? Do you see corporates doing that? Reporting on sustainability is the new job a company CEO has got. We are in the early stage of recognising this. Initially, there was no urgency to understand the impact. But now there is a self-realised urgency. Today, we have over 100 companies joining the UN Global Compact. One surely sees some seriousness.

Is this observation restricted to big corporate houses? Do we see sections like the SMEs present here as well? A small or a medium enterprise (SME) works closer to a bigwig corporate house.

These companies depend on the customers more. This makes an SME understand its relation with the community better and thus builds on it business-wise. Today, we see this section doing a lot of advocacy towards connecting the community to government policies. They might not be spending much on these actions, but are surely helping the community get its bare essentials.

I have examples like Gurgaon-based Keggfarms. It is an organisation engaged in selective breeding, developing and building a poultry stock specifically for the Indian agroclimatic environment. It has provided economic empowerment for rural women. Then you see brands like Fabindia working with women karigars on a large scale. You would not even come to know that the kurta you just picked up was made by a woman in Rajasthan. SMEs are quietly doing quality work.

What about management institutes? Do we see some education on SR getting into the curriculum? There are some good re ports of management graduates opting out to work as social entrepreneurs.

Well, to answer the first, there is not much at the curriculum level and at our management institutes. On the second, I do agree that some young brains drop out from their corporate assignments to take up social causes as their complete employment, but I don't find this to be a good idea. I'm repeating myself, but it is time for us to work towards a better society. A social objective is no longer beyond our core business. One needs to build the cause into the business and work towards social responsibility.

What are your expectations from the CSR summit opening tomorrow? For us, the summit is really important. As I said, many companies do realise that aspects like social responsibility and sustainability are no longer afterthoughts.

The session would bring together likeminded companies and deliberate on the way to go. Also, any issues they would like to speak on, drawing inspiration from others, etc.

Are there any challenges the companies speak about? Incentives from the government or sharing responsibility...

First, there are no challenges, and no incentives must be desired or partnerships signed. We have to change our mindset towards the issue. Today, a few companies are extensively working in rural belts.

They treat the people as their consumers and thus work for their uplift. These companies never faced any challenges...