Tag: Mr. Praveen Karn

Atmanirbhar bharat 2
Business World

Roundtable to discuss Atmanirbhar Bharat

Sep 22, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Atmanirbhar Bharat, #Brand India, #Dr. K.K. Upadhyay., #Dr. Lopamudra Priyadarshini, #Mr. Ajit Kumar, #Mr. Praveen Karn

Brand India organized a round table discussion on Atmanirbhar Bharat and the role of CSR in making New India. The event focused on discussing five pillars of self-reliant India including Economy (quantum jumps, not incremental changes), Infrastructure (that represents modern India), System (technology-driven), Demography (vibrant demography of the largest democracy) and Demand (full utilization of the power of demand and supply).

Speakers from various sector including Dr. Ajay Data, Founder and CEO of Data Ingenious Global; Mr. Ajit Kumar (Founder Khushigram); Mr. Ashish Sachdeva (Founder Green Dream Foundation); Dr KK Upadhyay, Director Centre for Social Review; Mr. Atul Singh, Vice President CSR Emami Ltd; Mr. Praveen Karn, Head CSR Spark Minda Group; Dr. Lopamudra Priyadarshini, General Manager Sustainability & Community Relations Aditya Birla Group and Mr. Chandradutta Panigrahi, Indian Thinker and Futurist shared their views. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Sandeep Simon Behera; renowned author and Director Branding and Promotion Karunya Deemed to be University.

Dr. Ajay Data added two more pillars of self-reliant India i.e. Attitude and Quality. India is rich in technology and software’s but we are habitual of world-class technology. We cannot force citizens to use poor Indian products when world-class products and services are available. Also, We all are using domain name .com, why we can’t use domain name .in .bharat (in Hindi or My Indian language). We
have domain names in all languages but we are habitual to one particular language i.e. English. The vision of our Prime Minister to build a New India: Digital India by breaking the language barrier, using all the latest technologies enabling the masses, will surely help in counting our country as Atmanirbhar Bharat..”

Mr. Ajit Kumar, said, “Quantum leap needs massive disruption of thought, belief, planning and action. This means a Modern India (Bharat) with her own tools and techniques best fit for the land and people are driven by a wise mix of so-called’ and ‘traditional’ technologies. These have to be based on a full life cycle approach for a truly circular, green and sustainable economy. And all these have to be based on values of share and care to be self-reliant in all sectors and regions. That’s the only to fulfil basic requirements of all Indians based on a high degree of Truth, Trust and Transparency.”

Atmanirbhar Bharat means making India a bigger and more important player in the global economy. India’s self-reliance would be based on – Economy, Infrastructure, System, Demography and Demand. It is not about being close to the world, but being self-sustaining and self-generating in this new normal.” Dr. K.K. Upadhyay.

Mr. Praveen Karn, said, “There is only one formula for sustainability i.e. self-dependence.
Speaking on the role of CSR Mr. Atul Singh said, “CSR can play a larger role of a catalyst and enabler in making India Atmanirbhar. Most of the corporates integrate their CSR with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. However, there is a greater need for CSR to be integrated and aligned with the country’s vision for the future to ensure democratization of service delivery and inclusive growth for all.”

Elaborating the benefits of Atmanirbhar Bharat Dr. Lopamudra Priyadarshini said, “Self-reliant India or Atmanirbhar Bharat will prove beneficial in strengthening the society from the grass-root levels, giving the required boost to the economy. Products that generate socio-economic benefits need to focus upon, with promoting artisans and their handicraft making skills. With this, we can boost their work and generate better socio-economic benefits in a holistic manner, strengthening Atma Nirbhar Bharat movement. The equal participation of stakeholders and civilians enables the CSR to work to generate positive and sustainable impact. And for creating transparency and accountability for companies, digitalization is required with a multi-faceted approach where on the internal level, the stakeholders can keep a track of fund spends on different projects via different software integrations. On the external or field level, digitalization and markers can enable the proper execution of projects and post-completion maintenance required for long-term benefits.”

Mr. Sandeep & Praveen
Business World

Powerful discussion on Atamnirbhar Bharat and contribution of CSR for making New India

Aug 13, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Aatmnirbhar Bharat and contribution of CSR, #Brand India, #Director Branding & Promotion Karunya Deemed University., #Head Group CSR Minda Corporation Limited, #Mr Sandeep Behera, #Mr. Praveen Karn, #webinar

Brand India organized a webinar to discuss Aatmnirbhar Bharat and contribution of CSR for making New India where Mr. Praveen Karn, Head Group CSR Minda Corporation Limited shared his views on the topic. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Sandeep Behera, Director Branding & Promotion Karunya Deemed University.

Throwing light on the history of CSR Mr. Praveen Karn said, “we see that the companies were originally established to make profits but later it was realized that it’s important to give back. Taking the concept of Mahatma Gandhi, “Model of Philanthropy” was started, which focused on giving donations and charities. In the late 70s, it took the shape of community affairs. Later in the 80s, it was called community corporate which was the partnership of community and companies for holistic benefit. In late 2010, it was reformed into a sustainable business model of CSR.”

Talking about amendments, the companies followed Nation Volunteer Guidelines (2007) and later the Companies Act he added, “In 2013, the government had formulated Section 135, Schedule 7, that prescribes a set of activities that I thought could be co-related to the SDGs.”

In my perspective, from the past 5 years, CSR is growing and benefiting people, developing partnerships, supplementing government programs, scaling up projects, it is participative, more innovative and he believes it has a long way to go.

The size of the CSR fund being spent is not big if it is compared with the GDP, education budget, and health care budget. I strongly believe that the CSR budget will change the narrative of participation, collectivity, collaboration and supplementation. I suggest that the idea is to spend according to the need assessment which can be identified only at the grass-root level. According to me, the solution for reducing the demand and supply gap has to be well assessed and well triangulated. I believe that miracles will not happen because of money and rather they will be done with involvement, partnership, collaboration, integrations with the government programs and NGOs at the grass-root level.

Reminding that sustainability is the broader agenda, we see how organisations are now following Environmental sustainability practices such as tree plantation, paper saving, energy and water conservation, using renewable energy and waste management. I believe that it will be a holistic approach towards sustainability as stakeholders and industries are also working together for it.

Aatmnirbhar India vision is not restricted to the metro cities but it extends to the rural pockets of India. Development of the nation starts from the very individuals of the underdeveloped areas. The underprivileged community members will become self-reliant only when they are given opportunities. Self-reliance is a holistic concept and does not limit to employment but it implies to various other segments like proper education and skilling.