1-day Symposium On Mind Mapping
Though the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is gaining momentum, it has miles to go before it reaches a certain status. What the corporations and business houses owe to the community is by no means exhausted by a review of their philanthropic records, N. Ramathal, Chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women, said here on Thursday.CSR was limited to big players and was not getting extended to medium and small
units
Delivering an address on “Corporate Social Responsibility – A Growing Movement Across the World” at the one-day symposium on Mind Mapping at the SNS Rajalakshmi College of Arts and Science, she lamented that CSR was limited to big players and was not getting extended to medium and small units. Also, there was a lack of link between employees and the community commitments because there was no strategic approach towards CSR.
Underlining the fact that CSR did not only mean philanthropic activities, she said: “Companies promise commitment towards making continuous improvements in the management of environmental impacts; however, many of them resist stringent environmental legislation. Many textile companies here do not have a proper system for waste minimisation and management.” Hitting out at the fast food companies, she said fast food, beverages and caffeine-loaded soft drinks promoted by celebrities were responsible for a virtual epidemic of diet-related diseases and obesity. “There are a lot many cases which have not come to light.”
On the flip side she said that CSR was taking a new dimension with more and more companies engaging in numerous social activities and ventures in collaboration with non-governmental organisations. “Many companies have special departments to document the best practices of CSR and integrate them into the organisational fabric. They are investing huge amounts in creating special foundations for their implementation to make a difference to the people around them,” Ms. Ramathal said. Chairman of the SNS Group S.N. Subramanian and Director K. Manian spoke.
