The event featured a series of expert-led discussions that explored the intersection of CSR, environmental sustainability, and community development. Key topics included education, skilling, digital literacy, financial inclusion, women empowerment, and healthcare.

The conclave, organised by CSC Academy and the Indian ESG Network, saw participation from leaders from government, corporate, and development sectors who shared their views on how CSR can drive environmental sustainability, community development, and transformative change in rural India.

Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide through Technology

The conclave was inaugurated by Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

“CSC represents a radical idea bridging the urban-rural divide through technology,” said Atul Kumar Tiwari at the inauguration. He also cited the visionary role of Common Services Centres (CSCs) in strengthening India’s social capital.

He acknowledged the vital role of CSC Academy in advancing CSR initiatives, especially in vocational training and digital empowerment for rural populations, and praised CSC’s alignment with national goals, particularly through government schemes such as the PM Vishwakarma Yojana.

CSCs as catalysts for change

Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, Chairman and Secretary of CSC Academy, expanded on the transformative impact of the Common Services Centres (CSCs) across the country. He described CSCs not just as digital access points but as catalysts for change, operated by Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) who empower their communities.

“CSR is not just a statutory requirement but a strategic driver for inclusive progress,” said Rakesh, emphasizing the Academy’s focus on scalable and measurable CSR programs aimed at reaching underserved rural populations.
Dr. Biswajit Saha, Director (Training & Skill Education) at CBSE, also highlighted the role of CSC Academy in preparing the next generation for future challenges, particularly in fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Healthcare.

The Conclave concluded with a commitment to utilising CSR to drive rural transformation, with CSC Academy reaffirming its mission to empower rural India through digital inclusion, skill- based education, and public-private partnerships. The event underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all.

The post CSC CSR Conclave 2025: How CSR is Championing Tech-Driven Rural Transformation in India appeared first on The CSR Journal.

Prof. Ravindra Gudi, Dean (Alumni & Corporate Relations), IIT Bombay, by Ms. Nidhi Chhibber (IAS), Director General, Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog Mr. Sanjay Singh Chief, UNICEF-Maharashtra Office and Dr K Madan Gopal, Advisor – Public Health Administration Division, National Health Systems Resource Centre, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India graced the event along with other noted dignitaries.

The conclave conceptualised by MBMC Municipal Commissioner, Sanjay Katkar was aimed to generate ideas for the fundamental development of the twin cities of Mira Bhayandar located in Maharashtra’s Thane district and transform them by 2047. Held at the Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Auditorium in Kashimira on Wednesday, the event themed “Leveraging CSR Initiatives to Achieve Vision 2047”, witnessed huge footfalls from professionals as well as students.

Panel discussions on Healthcare, Sustainability and Education

Three panel discussions were hosted at the event. While the panel discussion titled “Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy” focused on infrastructure development in a sustainable way, where everything from circular economy to renewable energy to roads to innovation in traffic management, to green buildings and sustainable waste management was discussed by noted panellists from various fields. The panel Discussion “Arogya Vardhini: Healing Communities & Advancing Healthcare” focused on enhancing healthcare infrastructure in the twin cities, treatment for the underprivileged sections of the population. Another Panel Discussion titled “Education Transformation: Employability@18” focused on education, skill development for the youth and enhancing employment opportunities. Priorities and demands of citizens were also voiced by the audience.

MoU with IIT Bombay

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) and the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a period of 5 years to focus on technological development and innovation. The civic body has also collaborated with several Non-profit organisations and corporates for implementing various citizen-oriented projects in Mira-Bhayandar.

The conclave was supported by NITI Aayog, Government of Maharashtra’s MITRA & MSInS, IIT Bombay, IFAT India and The Centre for Education, Governance and Policy.

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The CSR conclave will be hosted at Bharat Ratna Gaansamragyi Lata Mangeshkar Natya Gruha Auditorium at Mira Road East on 7th August, Wednesday starting 9.30 a.m.

Industry leaders, experts, and researchers will gather to explore essential topics requiring interventions with a focus on Education, Environment, and Healthcare. CEOs, Directors, CSR Heads, and other representatives from the corporate sector, experts from various fields, government officials, research scholars, students, and faculties from educational institutions are expected to participate in this conclave.

The Municipal Commissioner says

“The basic objective of this event is to have collaboration between academicians, philanthropists, intellectuals, fundraisers, corporates as well as socially aware people. Our primary focus is on the sectors of Education, Healthcare and Environment. I urge and appeal to the corporates, philanthropists and socially oriented people to register online and participate in this event,” said MBMC Municipal Commissioner- Sanjay Katkar.

“Collaborative discussions and interactive sessions will be held to shape a brighter future of the twin-city aligning with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and India’s 100 years of Independence. The event will provide a platform for knowledge sharing and exploring innovative approaches to CSR initiatives,” he further stated.

Focus on Waste Management, Environment Sustainability, Women

The purpose is to shape a brighter future for Mira Bhayandar aligning with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat.

“This proactive initiative addresses key themes such as Safai Mitra Suraksha, Waste Management, Environment Sustainability, Empowerment of Women and innovations in Education and Healthcare. These align perfectly with the Swachh Bharat Mission, Sustainable Urban Development and the national vision of Viksit Bharat,” Joint Secretary and National Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban, Roopa Mishra shared in a message to the civic body.

Support from Govt of Maharashtra, NITI Aayog

The CSR conclave is being supported by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS), Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department, Government of Maharashtra. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) is the Knowledge Partner. This pioneering initiative makes MBMC the first Urban Local Body (ULB) to organize such an event.

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HCLFoundation’s My E-Haat initiative introduces artisans to new trends and design innovations, AI and IoT-based craft authentication technology, international certifications, and business development opportunities. It also offers artisans direct access to global audiences through the My E-Haat online platform. Till date, the initiative has positively impacted over 3000 artisans across 15 states of India.

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Okhai.org, Pyxera Global, National Cooperative Union of India, International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), SEWA Bharat, Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), Shiv Nadar University and other organizations working in the crafts and livelihood sector attended the My E-Haat Conclave 2023 held on December 15, 2023, at the National Craft Museum, New Delhi.

“By bringing together key stakeholders through the My E-Haat Conclave, we aimed to create a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration that not only gave voice to the talented artisans but also drove positive change in the industry. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants, sponsors and partners for their contributions in making the event a success,” said Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Global Head of CSR and Director, HCLFoundation.

The conclave, with a special focus on the support provided by the Government of India, helped facilitate conversations on enhancing the value chain and the future of craft-based collectives in India. The conclave explored maximizing the convergence between handicraft and technology for measurable impact, strengthening women entrepreneurs and learning from cooperative models in export-centric districts of India. The conclave highlighted the needs for inclusive and sustainable collective models.

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“The fact that IIT Bombay is doing so much to reach out to the corporate sector is absolutely fantastic. It’s a great initiative. Every citizen growing up in this country needs to be aware of the issues facing the country. If students grow up conscious of these, and also of the environment and climate change, we will make better citizens. But at the same time, I feel it is a full ecosystem responsibility where the government, academia and corporate sector have to participate. That’s the only way you can get sustainable change,” said Chief Guest Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman, 5F World, and Chairman of the Board, Honeywell Automation India Limited.

“The conclave brings together corporates, academicians, policymakers and social change makers together to look at different ways in which CSR can create that impact that can go towards solving some of the pressing challenges both at the rural national level as well as at the global level. IIT Bombay is currently at a tipping point where we are very good at knowing how to solve fundamental problems. While we have become very good at fundamental research over the years, we are now looking at how to make our research more relevant and impactful to the society. We currently rank among the top 50 global institutions and we have a very rich alumni base in the corporate world. Given all of these, corporate are very eager to handshake with IIT Bombay,” Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi, Dean – Alumni and Corporate Relations, told The CSR Journal.

Three panel discussions at the conclave deliberated on leveraging technology for ‘Strategic National Imperatives’, ‘Industrial and Economic Development’ and ‘Last-Mile Impact’ boasting of speakers like IIT Bombay professors, company directors and foundation heads/CEOs.

At the ‘Tech Showcase’, professors and students exhibited their projects, which demonstrated the use of technology for addressing critical issues such as healthcare, education, agriculture and environmental sustainability. The exhibition provided corporate and CSR leaders with an opportunity to interact with the students and professors involved in the technology initiatives.

The conclave also hosted an exclusive award ceremony, recognising and honouring corporates who have made significant CSR contributions to IIT Bombay and collaborated with the Institute on high-impact initiatives.

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IIT Bombay is keen to partner with corporates that are committed to making a difference through their CSR efforts. The partnerships will fuel national priorities and help the country leverage technology towards achieving self-reliance and elevating its economic standards.

The second edition of IIT Bombay’s Annual CSR Conclave 2023 held on June 16, 2023, on campus, was based on the theme “Technology for Development” towards addressing social, economic, industrial and environmental challenges in India. The event provided a platform for meaningful corporate engagement and collaboration with the Institute through the route of CSR funding. The Annual CSR Conclave has emerged as a flagship event, with attendance from over 200 corporates and CSR heads.

While delivering the keynote address at the conclave, Chief Guest Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman, 5F World, and Chairman of the Board, Honeywell Automation India Limited said, “I believe that emerging technologies including virtual reality and generative artificial intelligence have a significant role to play in the betterment of society. Carefully designed processes and social interventions, powered by digital technologies, will accelerate social transformation. It is imperative that the best corporations partner with outstanding technology institutions to develop this architecture”.

The panel discussions deliberated on leveraging technology for ‘Strategic National Imperatives’ and ‘Industrial and Economic Development and Last-Mile Impact’.

The first panel on ‘Strategic National Imperatives’ comprised illustrious personalities such as Mr. Anil Shama, Head, Corporate Incubation, Tata Consultancy Services and Dr. Shridhar Shukla, Co-Founder, Chairman, KPOINT Technologies.

“As we strive towards technological self-reliance, it is crucial for industry to partner with exceptional technology institutions like IIT Bombay. By combining our expertise and resources, we can leverage emerging technologies such as semiconductors and quantum computing amongst others to drive social transformation and uplift our society,” opined Mr. Sharma.

The second panel on ‘Industrial and Economic Development’ saw participation by eminent persons including Mr. Gajanan V. Gandhe, Country Head & Vice-President, Dana India; Mr. Pankaj Doshi, Head of Predictive Science, Pfizer; Mr. Rajeev M. Pandia, Independent Director, various chemical companies and Past President, Indian Chemical Council and Mr. Vinay Malhotra, Managing Director, Schlumberger India.

The third and final panel on ‘Last Mile Impact’ witnessed interesting deliberations by renowned panelists including Mr. Ashwini Saxena, Chief Executive Officer, JSW Foundation; Mr. Pratyush Kumar Panda, Head ESG, LTIMindtree; Ms. Rekha Koita, Co-Founder, Koita Foundation and Ms. Rema Mohan, CEO, National Stock Exchange Foundation.

Mr. Ashwini Saxena said, “Technology has always been an enabler and an equaliser when it comes to connecting the people at the far end with opportunities to address their needs. Technology also has the power to unlock latent needs to explicit ones and open new vistas of their potential. However, technology needs to be coupled well with managerial inputs and community connects so that technology too can be enabled. Without entrepreneurial support, technology may have its limitations in terms of creating a ‘public good’ ”.

The showstopper of the conclave was the “Tech Showcase” comprising two segments – project presentations and an exhibition. Professors and students had the opportunity to exhibit their projects, which demonstrated the use of technology for addressing critical issues such as healthcare, education, agriculture and environmental sustainability. The exhibition provided corporate and CSR leaders with an opportunity to interact with the students and professors involved in the technology initiatives.

The conclave hosted an exclusive award ceremony, recognising and honouring corporates who have made significant CSR contributions to IIT Bombay and collaborated with the Institute on high-impact initiatives.

Commenting on the role that partnerships between educational institutions and corporates can play in nation-building, Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT Bombay said, “Education institutions like IIT Bombay are proud to embrace Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding as a powerful means to drive positive change. By channelling CSR funds into research initiatives, we can leverage the expertise and innovation of our students and faculty to develop technologydriven solutions that address critical societal challenges”.

The conclave was successful in highlighting the critical role that corporates can play in collaborating with educational institutes towards nation-building and enabling a high-tech ecosystem in the country. The corporates in attendance were given detailed insights into the various ways they could explore collaborating with IIT Bombay, an ‘Institute of Eminence’, towards establishing world-class R&D centres and empowering India in its next phase of technology-led growth.

Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

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IIT Bombay is set to host its second edition of the Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave this year on June 16^th, 2023, at the IIT Bombay campus in Powai. The CSR Conclave, Technology for Development, will provide insights on addressing wide-ranging national and global challenges.

IIT Bombay, standing at the top position in India and 47th globally for Engineering and Technology, is dedicated to the advancement of technologies that will play a significant role in the development of the nation. The educational programs and research endeavours undertaken by IIT Bombay are specifically geared towards fueling areas of paramount national importance. These include defence applications, quantum technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity. Moreover, the institution is actively involved in driving economic growth by nurturing critical industries such as semiconductors, green energy, electric vehicles, drugs, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, IIT Bombay aims to make a tangible impact on society by employing technologies in sectors aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This encompasses areas such as healthcare, sanitation, clean water, and education technologies, with a particular emphasis on reaching the most marginalised communities.

The conclave aims to emphasize the crucial role that corporations can play in fostering collaboration with educational institutions to contribute to the development of the nation and facilitate the establishment of a high-tech ecosystem in the country. Corporations will be provided with comprehensive insights into the numerous avenues through which they can engage in collaboration with IIT Bombay, an esteemed “Institute of Eminence.” This collaboration will focus on establishing cutting-edge research and development centres, thereby empowering India in its next phase of growth driven by technology.

Highlights/Key Take-Aways of the Conclave:

– Panel Discussion on Technology for Strategic National Imperatives

– Panel Discussion on Technology for Industrial and Economic Development

– Panel Discussion on Technology for Last Mile Impact

To express your interest in attending this event, fill out this form here: https://bit.ly/3N0JXzp

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Mr. Amarjeet Sinha, Former Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office and Retired IAS officer presided over the event as the Chief Guest in virtual mode. During his keynote address at the conclave, Mr. Sinha said, “The biggest challenge we face with regards to sustainable development is both in technology development for, and the presence of competent professionals in rural areas, as well as a strong community connect. Technological innovations can play a critical role in improving the lives and livelihoods of deprived households and moving them up the skilling ladder. The coming together of ‘Tech for Sustainable Development’ and Institutions like IIT Bombay, whose ideas and innovations can be transformative for the livelihoods of people, provide an opportunity for the same.”

Mr. Amarjeet Sinha delivering the keynote address at ‘Tech for Sustainable Development’ – IIT Bombay’s Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave 2022

Ms. Sujata Saunik (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Maharashtra (India), and Takemi Fellow, Harvard University, graced the conclave as the Guest of Honour. Ms. Saunik was a panelist in ‘Climate Change Mitigation through Technology and Innovation.’ While speaking at the panel, she highlighted the “5Cs” approach toward climate change mitigation. These include cost, capacity, collaboration, climate-centric policies, and cohesive outcome.

Ms. Saunik presenting her views during a panel discussion on ‘Climate Change Mitigation through Technology and Innovation,’ at ‘Tech for Sustainable Development’ – IIT Bombay’s Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave 2022

Prof. S. Sudarshan, Deputy Director (Academic and Infrastructural Affairs), IIT Bombay while speaking at the conclave said, “IIT Bombay has one of the richest ecosystems of research and education in science and technology in the country. IIT Bombay and companies can work together to create an impact. By partnering with the Institute, corporates will be a part of cutting-edge research in areas of local and global importance, and in the process, fine-tune their CSR strategies to make them more impactful. I would like to thank all the leaders from many of India’s biggest companies who are participating in this conclave and have witnessed the projects currently underway at the Institute.”

Prof. S. Sudarshan speaking at ‘Tech for Sustainable Development,’ – IIT Bombay’s Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave 2022

Prof. Sudarshan also showcased a recently released book – ‘IIT Bombay’s Ideas and Innovations for Society’ (IBIS) that highlighted 100 technology translations of IIT Bombay that have created a significant societal impact.

Many of the corporate leadership expressed keen interest in collaborating with IIT Bombay in its research areas of global importance, particularly sustainability, healthcare, and women empowerment.

The CSR Journal extended media support to IIT Bombay for the event.

About Tech for Sustainable Development

The conclave was based on themes that correspond to critical areas of research being pursued by IIT Bombay to develop actionable, cost-effective, sustainable, and scalable solutions that can solve pressing challenges of national and global importance. These include education, healthcare, rural development and agriculture, sustainability, skills and entrepreneurship, women empowerment, social and policy development.

‘Tech for Sustainable Development’ gave an insight into the Institute’s R&D projects in these core areas to the corporates. A detailed presentation on the same was made by Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Bombay. In addition, the conclave also helped corporate leadership discover ways in which they can collaborate with IIT Bombay to create societal impact through technology solutions and make their CSR outcomes more impactful and measurable.

IIT Bombay also showcased its pioneering projects through kiosks that were set up thematically at the venue. Some of the faculty members/ students of the Institute, who are directly involved in these projects, were present at these kiosks to interact with the attendees and give them a detailed overview of their current research pursuits and future goals.

Presentation of kiosks on six core themes of ‘Tech for Sustainable Development’- IIT Bombay’s Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave 2022

The conclave hosted presentations by IIT Bombay’s faculty members on various themes such as ‘Rural Development through Technology Solutions’, ‘India’s Transition to Electric Mobility’, and ‘Sustainability Aspects in Chemical and Pharma Manufacturing’.

Presentation on ‘Rural Development through Technology Solutions’ by Prof. Bakul Rao, Professor at the Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA), IIT Bombay, at ‘Tech for Sustainable Development’ – IIT Bombay’s Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave 2022

Presentation on ‘Challenges in India’s Transition to Electric Mobility’ by Prof. Sandeep Anand, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay at ‘Tech for Sustainable Development’ – IIT Bombay’s Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave 2022

Presentation on ‘Sustainability Aspects in Chemical and Pharma Manufacturing’ by Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Bombay at ‘Tech for Sustainable Development’ – IIT Bombay’s Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave 2022

The conclave also held various panel discussions with industry experts and faculty members on issues related to its core themes. The first panel on ‘Climate Change Mitigation through Technology and Innovations’ addressed the adverse effects of climate change and the innovative solutions that can help combat this global problem.

Panel on ‘Climate Change Mitigation through Technology and Innovations’. Participants (left to right): Prof. Subimal Ghosh, Convener, Interdisciplinary Program in Climate Studies, and Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay (moderator); Ms. Sujata Saunik (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Maharashtra (India) and Takemi Fellow, Harvard University; Ms. Lipi Mehta, Head, Outreach & Partnerships, Paani Foundation; Prof. D. Parthasarathy, Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Science, IIT Bombay (virtual mode)

This was followed by a panel on ‘Clean Energy Solutions’ that showcased the current and emerging challenges in the clean energy space and the role of academia in helping resolve them.

Panel on ‘Clean Energy Solutions’. Participants (left to right): Mr. Pawan Mehndiratta, Head, Corporate Centre – Tech & Manufacturing, L&T Green Energy; Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare, Professor, Department of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay (moderator); Prof. Suneet Singh, Head of Department of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay; Dr. Ravindra Utgikar, Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Marketing, Praj Industries Ltd.; Prof. Chetan Singh Solanki, Professor, Department of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay 

The third panel in the series, ‘Healthcare and Biosciences: Key Challenges and Technology Solutions’, discussed the current and emerging challenges in the healthcare space and analysed the vital role that academia plays in finding long-term solutions, especially focused on underprivileged communities.

Panel on ‘Healthcare and Biosciences: Key Challenges and Technology Solutions’. Participants (left to right): Dr. Srivalli Shrikanth, Professor and Head of Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai; Prof. Siddharth Tallur, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Professor-In-Charge, Wadhwani Electronics Laboratory, IIT Bombay; Prof. B. Ravi, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Principal Investigator, Biomedical Engineering and Technology Innovation Centre, IIT Bombay; Prof. Ganesh Ramakrishnan, Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay, and Professor-in-Charge, Koita Centre for Digital Health, IIT Bombay; Dr. Abdur Rub, Chief Executive Officer, Wadhwani Research Centre for Bioengineering, IIT Bombay (moderator).

The fourth panel on ‘Circular Economy’ highlighted the challenges and opportunities that exist in the Circular Economy domain and elaborated on the opportunities for synergy between industry and academia.

Panel on ‘Circular Economy.’ Participants (left to right): Mr. Rajendra V. Gandhi, Managing Director of GRP Limited; Mr. Swapan Ray, Honorary Secretary, Indian Centre for Plastic in the Environment and Sr. Vice President (Petrochemicals), Reliance Industries Limited.; Mr. Gurpreet Kohli, Global Program Director ( R&D ), Fabric Solutions / Laundry, Unilever; Prof. Guruswamy Kumaraswamy, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay; Prof. Yogendra Shastri,  Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay (moderator)

The final panel of the conclave on ‘Tech Entrepreneurship: Driving India’s Growth’ deliberated on the possibility of a collaborative framework where IIT Bombay can partner with industry and support socially relevant organizations and entrepreneurs.

Panel on ‘Tech Entrepreneurship: Driving India’s Growth’. Participants (left to right): Mr. Ravishankar Gedela, Chief Executive Officer, IIT Bombay Development and Relations Foundation (IITBDRF); Prof. B. Ravi, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor-In-Charge, Desai Sethi School of Entrepreneurship, IIT Bombay; Mr. Rushin Patel, Regional CSR Head – Mumbai & other Districts, Adani Foundation; Prof. Devdip Purkayastha, Professor-of-Practice, Desai Sethi School of Entrepreneurship, IIT Bombay (moderator)

The conclave was sponsored by IIT Bombay’s Wadhwani Research Centre for Bioengineering and Koita Centre for Digital Health.

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Mr. Ravishankar Gedela is the CEO of the IIT Bombay Development and Relations Foundation (IITBDRF). In an exclusive interaction with The CSR Journal, he gives us an overview of IIT Bombay’s annual CSR Conclave. He is joined by Prof. Ravi Gudi, the Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations (Dean ACR) at IIT Bombay who gives us an overview of some of the panel discussions to be held during the conclave and the overall growth of CSR in the country.

1. What is IIT Bombay’s goal or objective in conducting the ‘Tech for Sustainable Development’ – IIT Bombay’s Annual CSR Conclave 2022?

Mr. Gedela: IIT Bombay, an “Institute of Eminence” and a leading global technology institute, is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies that benefit our society and the world around us. We enroll some of the brightest students from across the country and train their innovative, brilliant, and ambitious minds. Much of the technology development at IIT Bombay is undertaken with the goal of solving some of the toughest social and economic challenges in the Indian context.

The purpose of the CSR conclave is to build a partnership between IIT Bombay and socially conscious corporates, exploring avenues to maximise the impact of their CSR deployment.  The conclave is designed to present a dialogue on some key development challenges and how corporates can participate in addressing these challenges. The annual conclave will help build an ecosystem of industry-academia partnerships, focused on deploying science and technology to solve development challenges.

2. Who all can participate in this conclave and what will be their takeaway?

Mr. Gedela: CSR leadership teams including members of CSR Boards would benefit immensely from participating in the conclave. Entities involved in advising companies on their CSR strategies and implementation should also participate in the conclave. Their key takeaway would be understanding the role science and technology are playing in the development sector and discovering ways in which they can make CSR more impactful.

3. There are different panel discussions planned during the conclave, can you provide some insight into the panel discussions on Climate Studies and Circular Economy.

Prof. Gudi: The panel discussion on Climate Studies will showcase the research being carried out in centres such as Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA) and Inter-Disciplinary Program on Climate Sciences (IDP) at the Institute. The panel discussion will focus primarily on the various factors that lead to climate change, and how policy changes, technology interventions, and other creative solutions are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of the same. The panel discussion will showcase some of the key research being carried out by the department including changing rainfall patterns, the impact of CO2 on our environment, global warming, understanding agriculture-related patterns, the quality of water, and more. The panel will also discuss how the balance of all five elements in nature is crucial to sustainability.

A significant part of our world’s economy is linear where human beings take from nature’s abundance, use what they need to create products, and once the products are consumed, the remainder is discarded as waste into the environment, resulting in pollution. The rapid depletion of nature’s resources has forced us to look at our economy in a non-linear, circular manner. The goal of a circular economy is to design industrial practices to be cleaner, prevent waste and transform the traditionally known waste into value.  For example, with a linear economy, the industry uses nature’s capital such as water, new materials, etc., linearly, and this results in a massive build-up of waste. We use coal to produce energy linearly, but it spews out a huge amount of carbon dioxide at a rate that cannot be fixed, thereby polluting the environment. But a circular economy ensures through design that there is no waste in our industrial practices. Instead, the traditionally understood notion of waste is part of the life cycle and thereby does not contaminate the environment. These interventions lead to sustainability and development. A circular economy ensures that industrial practices can be more development-oriented, even as it preserves nature’s ability to nurture mankind.

4. What role do you see of IIT Bombay in fueling CSR growth and development in the country?

Prof. Gudi: IIT Bombay has undertaken cutting-edge research and furthered state-of-the-art facilities in science and technology over the last four and a half decades.  Some of the best intellectual minds at the Institute – whether they are faculty, students, or researchers – work tirelessly to translate their research goals successfully into creating a tangible societal impact. There are various academic forays where CSR funding can be used to promote academic research at IIT Bombay, which, in turn, can lead to the economic and social development of our nation.

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IIT Bombay is set to host its Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave this year on July 6^th, 2022. The CSR Conclave, Tech for Sustainable Development will provide insights on several pioneering projects that the Institute is undertaking to address wide-ranging national and global challenges.

This is a unique opportunity for corporates to know about these forays, and partner with India’s premier engineering and technology Institute, to create social impact.

The conclave will also provide an overview of research work and infrastructure projects by IIT Bombay, led by its internationally recognised researchers/ faculty, and some of the brightest young minds in the country in areas of climate change, health sciences, sustainability, and skills and entrepreneurship, amongst many others.

Furthermore, the conclave will help companies discover ways in which they can participate in creating impact through technology solutions and make their outcomes more measurable and impactful.

The CSR Journal is providing media support to IIT Bombay for the conclave. The CSR Journal is honoured to partner with IIT Bombay for the ‘Tech for Sustainable Development’ Conclave with a view to prompt discourse on technological potential and solutions for addressing the developmental challenges in the country.

Highlights/Key Take-Aways of the Conclave:

– Presentation on Rural Development through Technology Solutions

– Panel Discussion on Climate Change Mitigation through Technology and Innovations

– Presentation on Sustainability Aspects in Chemical and Pharma Manufacturing

– Panel Discussion on Key Challenges and Technology Solutions in Healthcare and Biosciences

– Presentation on Challenges in India’s Transition to Electric Mobility

– Panel Discussion on Circular Economy

– Panel Discussion on Tech Entrepreneurship: Driving India’s Growth

– Panel Discussion on Clean Energy Solutions

To register please click: https://bit.ly/3HlDufk

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