Asia-Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi and INDIACSR Group organized National Summit on Best Practices in CSR: Learning and Future Ahead on 3rd March 2017 at Asia-Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi. The summit was graced by the esteemed think tanks AnuragBatra, Chairman & Editor in Chief – BW Businessworld; Dr BS Sahay, Director, IIM Raipur; AnupamNidhi, Group Head CSR, Reliance Group; Rusen Kumar, Founder & Editor, India CSR Network; Dr. S.P. Chauhan (Director, Asia-Pacific Institute of Management) and Dr. KK Upadhyay (former head of FICCI Aditya Birla CSR Centre for Excellence) and Prof.Saurabh Mittal (Convener-CSR Summit 2017). After the floral welcome and lamplighting by dignitaries on the dias, Prof.Saurabh Mittal spoke about the relevance of the summit and discussed the agenda. Prof. Mittal highlighted the need for platform where the CSR projects being undertaken by corporate and NGOs across the country can be discussed. The various projects have  had substantial impact on the stakeholder’s lives. The summit was designed in a way to discuss, publish and honour the outstanding CSR projects in the country. Dr. S P Chauhan welcomed the dignitaries to the summit and he discussed the need of moving ahead from CSR and adopt the ISR (Individual Social Responsibility). Dr.Chauhan highlighted the need for blood donation and organ donation, which might transform the lives of needy. Mr.AnuragBatra, Chairman & Editor in Chief – BW Businessworld addressed the forum and highlighted the important role of corporate CSR partnership in nation building. He expressed his concerns on emerging challenges of CSR.Mr.Batra too stressed on individual social responsibility and need for the social enterprises in the country. The summit had a key note on CSR leadership by renowned academician Dr. BS Sahay, Director, IIM Raipur. Dr. BS Sahay, talked about how academician can add value to the CSR space taking CSR knowledge to the society. Dr.Sahay shared his experience about the need and impact of various initiatives of individuals and corporate which have changed the fortune for many beneficiaries. Another key note speaker Ms.AnupamNidhi, Group Head CSR, Reliance Group shared about CSR strategy, governance and key CSR projects of Reliance. Rusen Kumar, Founder & Editor of India CSR Network said, “India CSR believes in Inclusive Growth as a holistic part of CSR Studies. As a think tank, India CSR looks at scaling up professional learning and the measuring CSR development for the betterment of the CSR fraternity. To bring about this change the India CSR looks at adding Corporate, Government and society CSR values for a faster scale up.” Book on CSR released Summit also witnessed the launch of book titled ‘Best practice in CSR: Learning and future ahead’ edited by Rusen Kumar, Prof Saurabh Mittal and Dr Rana Singh, a collection of case studies on contemporary CSR projects and successful social enterprises. India CSR believes that case story published in the book will help the reader to understand the importance and impact of the CSR contributions. India CSR strongly believe that CSR projects being executed in the world need to be documented and published regularly, so that the stakeholders may also get ready access to them. The book will be an important tool to glance at the prevailing CSR practices in the country. India CSR Network honoured Dr. Prof B S Sahay with ‘India CSR Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his outstanding contribution to CSR space. The award was presented at National Summit. Prof Sahay also delivered his key note address to CSR fraternity attending the summit. He motivated the CSR leaders for their continuous contribution and efforts for the service toward community development in India. He deliberated about required professional qualifications, trainings for professional excellence in the area of emerging CSR ecosystem in the country. The prestigious ‘India CSR Women CSR Leadership Award’ was conferred upon Ms.AnupamNidhi, Head CSR, Reliance Group for her outstanding contribution in strategizing large scale CSR projects. The honour was presented at the Summit. AnupamNidhi delivered her key note address to CSR fraternity attending the summit. While addressing Nidhi emphasised on urgently need of partnership working model of CSR implementation. Working in collaborations can bring change at community level.AnupamNidhi at India CSR Summit During the summit, following organizations were also felicitated with ‘India CSR Awards’ for their significant contributions to the society:

• Bharti Foundation honoured with ‘India CSR Awards (Corporate)’ for its SatyaBharti School Program a Decade of Delivering Joyful Education.
• ShriJagdambaSamiti, Rishikesh honoured with ‘India CSR Awards (NGO)’ for changing the lives of farmers with agro based livelihood arrangements.
• Buddy4Study honoured with India CSR Awards (Social Enterprise) for its remarkable contribution in helping students to achieve their dreams by providing scholarship search engine.

On the occasion case studies were discussed at the summit and judged by the esteemed jury chaired by AnupamNidhi, Group head CSR, Reliance Group. The below mentioned case studies were honoured with ‘India CSR Award of Appreciation’ for innovative CSR practice and impact to the society.

• NandGhar: Building a New India a Project by Vedanta Limited;
• Networked Society as CSR: The Baank-e-loom Project by Ericsson India;
• Uttam Gram an Integrated & Holistic Village Development Project by AROH Foundation;
• Mosquitoes and us Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL);
• Mobile 1000: an initiative of WockhardtFondation;
• Renewing Fresh Hope in Neonatal Care Hand in Project by Hand in Hand India;
• Revolutionizing the Education Practical Learning Solutions by Stem Learning and
• Improving Maternal & Child Health Services Project by Hand in Hand India;
• India’s Unfiltered Story Lifestraw by Vester Guard;
• The SatyaBharti School Program: A Decade of Delivering Joyful Education by Bharti Foundation;
• CSR Backed Community RO Plants Providing Safe Drinking Water on Affordable Terms;
• Water ATM – Water Vending Machine by Synergy Solar.

CSR heads, domain experts and academicians participated the summit. Leading organization participated the Summit: IICA, Reliance Group, Indian Railway, Vedanta Foundation, Amul Dairy, Ericsson Foundation, Hand in Hand, Aroh Foundation, Synergy Solar, Adani Power, ShriJagdambaSamiti, Bharti Foundation, Stem Learning, Life Straw- Vestergaard, Godrej Foundation, Buddy4Study, Wockhardt Foundation, Spark Minda Foundation, Business World, BIMTECH, HP, MitaanSevaSamiti, Corporate Saints, The Rotary Foundation, United India, YashSiqure Technologies, Synergy Solar Inc, The World United Educators Association, Yellow Bus, Serve Samman. The summit provided a platform for the companies with their operations in India, to showcase the work being carried out in CSR Domain and how it forms an integral part of the company’s strategy. The consulting firms, NGOs and researchers joined with innovative ideas, which are proven to be effective with some real life demonstrations or the research projects. The summit provided opportunity for corporate to interact with CSR experts and the young minds to further enhance the value of projects being undertaken. Many business houses, social organizations and individuals are putting various efforts and doing innovations in the domain of CSR. To bring the key stake holders together and discuss on the CSR agenda, India CSR arranged the Summit. In the valedictory session, Prof.Saurabh Mittal and Mr.Rusen Kumar honoured the Jury Members for their presence and evaluation of the CSR Projects. The convener thanked all the organisations for sending their projects to the summit and dignitaries for sparing time and making the summit a grand success.