‘Doing Good’ alone is not enough for being responsible. ‘Doing Right’ is more important, even for ‘doing good’. While everyone lays focus on ‘doing good’ under CSR, ‘doing right’ is conveniently ignored which is what is making CSR ‘irresponsible’. CSR in the present form of understanding and practices is largely found to be insincere, artificial, glamorous, and commercial.
Therefore, we appeal to all, who agrees with me, to join the Satyagraha for Transformational CSR which has been launched on 2nd October 2017. The Satyagraha is aimed to preserve and protect the ‘Spirit’ of CSR and to meet the very purpose of CSR which is to make lasting developmental impact for those geographies and communities who need the services the most.
‘Satyagraha’ is a reform agenda; it will secure permanent changes in conditions by enabling improvements in understanding & practices of corporate social responsibility. A Gandhian way to bring transformation among business leaders, CSR practitioners, influencers, and policymakers and then enable change in approaches to CSR i.e.“Transformational CSR against Transactional Philanthropy”.
CSR Satyagraha will seek companies and all the stakeholders who are directly or indirectly associated with CSR to adopt and integrate ‘STHAL’ principles:
CSR Satyagraha is a Gandhian way to bring ‘Transformation’ and enable ‘Change’ in approaches to CSR for achieving lasting impact. Satyagraha for CSR will be seeking companies to holding steadfastly to the core principles of CSR, doing right and doing it right each time and every time.
While some companies should be loudly acknowledged for their good work and making CSR work well for society and companies both, CSR, in general, is found to have gone off track in India, away from its core objectives, more lip-singing than actual impact creation. However, for this state of affairs, it would be unfair to hold companies responsible. In fact, stakeholders of CSR such as governments, NGOs, consultants, CSR managers, and unscrupulous agencies (awards, rating, and reporting) are jointly and equally responsible for the disreputable situation. They have contributed to making CSR a cosmetic, commercial and glamorous business activity. The CSR Act mandates a certain type of companies to share a very small portion of their wealth with underdeveloped and underprivileged communities for creation of a developed and equal society. But, the Act has been found to be misused, rather abused by companies. CSR requires to undergo not an evaluation but a self-introspection. Therefore, CSR Satyagraha will engage with all stakeholders. It will facilitate them undergo introspections and then help in taking remedial measures for securing a big ‘reform & transformation’ in CSR landscape. Apart from the above reason, following specific reasons validate the need for a satyagraha - a peaceful war against ‘wrong doings, evils and odds’ in CSR. Motto: ‘Let CSR Win’.