India Inc on global CSR drive

India Inc has joined hands to fine tune its activities coming under corporate social responsibility (CSR). For this, it has set up a global platform to showcase all the work done by Indian firms.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the TVS Group have collaborated to form the CII-TVS Centre of Excellence for Responsive Corporate Citizenship. The outfit, based in Chennai, will provide consultancy services and technical assistance on social development and CSR.

The services offered by the centre will include skill development, accreditation and certification services, research studies and policy recommendations.

According to a statement released by the TVS Group, the centre will provide a global platform to promote the activities done under the category of CSR by India Inc.

Venu Srinivasan, managing director, TVS Motors, said the CSR could be the most effective strategy for business to manage social and political challenges. He said a recent study by the Nottingham University Business School ranked India number one, in terms of CSR penetration among the seven Asian countries surveyed, even though India had the lowest per capita GNP.

The centre, to be headed by Srinivasan, will have members from the CII. Anant G Nadkarni, vice-president, Tata Council for Community Initiatives, and Ashoke Joshi, chairperson of the Srinivasan Services Trust, will be other members.

It will also have representatives from Wipro, Dr Reddy's Lab and other groups.