26/05/2024
Review of our CSR Good Book titled ‘Responsiblity’ by Sanjeev Chopra
Large format books, often found in airport lounges, are usually designed to impress with high-quality design, art paper, and production, while their textual content is often secondary. However, when Amit Sachdeva, Editor-in-chief and Managing editor Mugdha Arora, ‘CSR Good Book, gifted me their book, titled "Responsibility," during a conversation about CSR, SDGs, and ESG at their office, I decided to explore it beyond its visual appeal. The book starts with insightful pieces like "Aligning CSR with ESG" by Amit and "The Power of CSR Storytelling" by Mugdha, quickly captivating my interest. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of CSR and ESG, reflecting how the seventeen SDGs are inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's eighteen cardinal principles.
Human beings are human because they love to tell, hear, and share stories. The more the merrier; and Mugdha tells us that CSR stories help “weave narratives that resonate with human experience, thereby making corporates relatable and accessible, besides creating emotional links that nurture brand loyalty and advocacy”. CSR has encouraged corporates “to be a Force for Good”, says Rajashree Birla, Chairpwrson Aditya Birla Group Centre for community initiative, who regards the CSR law “as the fountain head from where a deeper responsibility transcending business interests emanates”.
Sanjeev Chopra is s a retired IAS the former Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration and authored "We, the People of the States of Bharat: The Making and Remaking of India's Internal Boundaries" (2022). Currently, he serves as the patron and honorary consultant for the Valley of Words International Literary Festival. Chopra has held prestigious fellowships, including the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship (Cornell) and the Robert S. McNamara Fellowship (World Bank), and has been affiliated with the Royal Asiatic Society, London, and the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute (Harvard)
https://www.millenniumpost.in/sundaypost/inland/rich-in-imagery-insight-565263
