New Delhi, 3rd October 2024 – In celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) hosted the National Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (NCCSR 2024) at The Lalit Hotel, New Delhi, on 2nd and 3rd October. The event, themed "Aligning CSR with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)", brought together an array of corporate leaders, government officials, NGOs, and international organizations to discuss innovative approaches for advancing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Among the prominent attendees were industry giants like HCL Tech, Jindal Group, Tata Steel, and GAIL India, alongside representatives from key government bodies such as the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation and international organizations like UNICEF.
Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS) participated in this prestigious conference to showcase its wide-ranging social initiatives, which are meticulously crafted under the Divine Guidance of Divya Guru Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji. DJJS’s initiatives align perfectly with the SDGs, making them ideal models for CSR partnerships.
India, as the first country to mandate CSR for large companies since 1st April 2014, has led the way in integrating social responsibility into corporate practices. CSR is now a key driver for addressing societal and environmental challenges, and it plays a critical role in advancing the country’s efforts toward achieving the SDGs. By fostering collaboration between the corporate sector and social organizations, CSR has become a powerful tool for balancing economic growth with social equity and environmental protection.
Throughout the conference, DJJS’s social initiatives were well-received and seen as valuable CSR engagement opportunities. Key figures such as Dr. Aguste Kouamé, World Bank Country Director for India; Mr. Rob Lederer, CEO of the Responsible Business Alliance; Mr. Prashant Kumar Hota, President and Group Head of CSR & Education at Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.; and Ms. Aman Pannu, President of CSR and Corporate Communications at DCM Shriram Foundation, visited the DJJS exhibition stall. They interacted with DJJS volunteers and lauded the organization’s multifaceted approach to addressing critical social issues.
Among the highlighted DJJS initiatives were Antardrishti [Welfare Program for Blind and Physically challenged], Manthan-SVK [The Holistic Education Program], Sanrakshan [ The Nature Conservation Program], Santulan [The Women Empowerment & Gender Equality Program], Bodh [Drug Abuse Eradication Program], Aarogya [The Holistic Health Program], Antarkranti [Prisoners’ Reformation & Rehabilitation Program], SAM [DJJS Youth Empowerment Drive] & PEACE Program [DJJS Corporate wing]. These initiatives, designed to address the needs of various demographic groups, were commended for their scope, innovation, and impact. Corporate leaders saw great potential in collaborating with DJJS to fulfill their CSR mandates.
NCCSR 2024 underscored the critical link between CSR and the SDGs, highlighting organizations like DJJS that are making measurable impacts in society. The conference provided a platform to recognize and explore how CSR initiatives, when aligned with sustainable development goals, can bring about positive, long-term change.
