The Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry recently hosted a CSR Conclave titled “Beyond Giving: Responsible CSR and Due Diligence,” featuring Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, a renowned expert in Indian CSR and sustainability. He discussed the evolution of the Bharatiya model of CSR between 2010-2014, highlighting five guiding principles: a board-driven agenda, transparency and accountability, percentage-of-profit allocation, implementation through civil society organizations, and project-based execution. Dr. Chatterjee emphasized the significant growth of CSR in India, noting the increased professionalism and academic focus on the sector, while also raising concerns about the uneven distribution of CSR spending, particularly in the northeast and aspirational districts.
Looking ahead, Dr. Chatterjee highlighted the growing role of technology, especially digitization and artificial intelligence, in enhancing transparency and monitoring of CSR initiatives through real-time dashboards. He stressed the importance of integrating CSR with ESG practices to foster greater impact on national development, as well as the increasing convergence of corporate efforts with government programs to maximize outreach. The session underscored the strong support from national and state leadership for CSR, reflecting its rising significance among corporates, civil society, and development professionals.
The conclave was well-attended, indicating the expanding importance of CSR as a strategic priority. It demonstrated a collective recognition of the need for responsible, transparent, and impactful CSR practices to contribute to sustainable development and societal progress.
