OPINIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for better hygiene habits, yet many still do not have access to basic sanitation or water facilities. Sanitation is a fundamental human right. However, a recent study of Joint Monitoring Programs (JMP) conducted by WHO and UNICEF states that 15% of Indians do not have access to toilet facilities....

The rise of digitalisation following the COVID-19 crisis has complemented the growth of industries such as e‑commerce, financial services and consumer credit. Consequently, the fintech ecosystem has witnessed a meteoric rise, especially when it comes to digital lending, loan procurement and disbursal systems – thanks to widening smartphone penetration, flexibility on credit range and...

By: Tabish Bilal, Manager - Operations & Finance at Tycia Foundation A page from the history books The year is 1893. A young Indian man travels to South Africa in the hopes of making a career in law. He is immediately introduced to the ground realities in the most brutal fashion – he is thrown out...

For every rupee spent on CSR, firms should spend 10 rupees on marketing the said initiative. Corporate social responsibility has become one of the most important contributions that businesses can make to help society in a number of areas. CSR has been used in diverse areas such as disaster assistance, medical help, and education...

By Bastiaan van der Linden, Associate Professor - CSR, EDHEC Business School  Growing concerns about anthropogenic climate change have led to the rapid development of greenhouse gas regulations. A striking characteristic of these regulations is that they are often promulgated by businesses and NGOs, rather than states. Private regulation is quite common nowadays, but in...

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are intertwined, just like two strands of the DNA. CSR was mainly understood to be a philanthropic social engagement by organizations, encompassing a company's charitable contributions whereas sustainable development is an effective way of building a resilient society, making technology to the best use of...

As one enters an urban slum in the plush neighbourhoods in a city, you see children playing on rough grounds and vacant lots, in the open spaces where garbage is being manually sorted. Parked vehicles, rickshaws and carts serve as play props in the streets. Girls as young as 7-8 years — often devoid...

Global warming, rising pollution levels, extensive use of consumer electronics and natural resources, and economic and social inequality are compelling organizations to focus on driving long-term social value—not merely achieving short-term market domination. As a result, organizations are increasingly focusing on incorporating sustainability as a key pillar underpinning their business strategy, alongside innovation, technology...

Bright blue skies, lofty peaks and emerald green water – I stood mesmerized, watching the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers. The clean air and tranquillity of Ladakh was a refreshing change from the everyday hustle-bustle of Delhi. Ladakh is known for its breathtaking mountain scenery, wildlife and unique culture. I was back here again...

FLN refers to the ability among children to read with meaning and solve basic math problems by the end of Class 3. These are critical gateway skills that form the foundation for children — much as the terminology suggests — on which they build their lives. While the government endorses India as the flag-bearer...

The Decade of Action (2020-2029) began with a bang. After facing the warmest decade on record (2010-2019), the hopes of getting some relief were quickly dashed by the Covid-19 crisis. And although the pandemic-induced lockdown provided a breather to natural ecosystems and allowed them to thrive, the situation was only temporary. Before the year...

The pandemic, the aftermath of the first two waves and the continuous fear of a third wave have gripped the nation with many challenges. The economy took a big hit during the first wave and while we were just recovering from it, the second wave and lockdown happened. Despite agriculture being the lesser impacted...