Under the new Companies Act, 2013 to be applicable
from the next fiscal 2014- 15, all profitable companies have to spend
every year at least 2% of their three-year average profit on CSR
activities. And this applies to the companies, i.e., about nine to ten
thousand companies, having a turnover of

1,000 crore and more, or, a net worth of

500 crore and more, or, a net profit of

5 crore and more. We actually take pride in the Union MCA Minister Shri Sachin Pilot’s declaration that our country is
the first in the world to have CSR provisions in the statute. While the MCA expects an annual expenditure of

15,000-20,000
crore over CSR activities by India Inc, companies must take this law as
their chance to contribute in creating a better society. Companies can
also contribute to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund or other
Government funds for socioeconomic development and relief, or, for
welfare of the underprivileged, minorities and women of our society. For
me, these CSR activities are more about doing some real groundwork
effecting a fundamental positive change in our society. We should
consider this our willing responsibility and not a liability. In fact,
this law has provided the companies an opportunity to build better and
conducive relationship with their immediate external and local
constituencies, i.e., where they operate.
Realising an emergence
of crisis due to natural calamity in Uttarakhand, we handed over a
cheque of Rs. 62.5 lakh to our Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in
person for the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Both our members
and employees are generously contributing to the account. While I thank
them for their understanding and action, I also understand that such
acts are not an act of charity. Having a comfortable standing and
presence in society, it is our
responsibility.
At this
moment, I find it quite apt to recall the Father of our Nation, Mahatma
Gandhi, whose talisman on action, as expressed in 1948 as social
concerns, still holds true for all of us. I quote:
Whenever you are
in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the
following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom
you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is
going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it
restore him to a control over his own life and destiny?…you will find
your doubts and your self melt away. His understanding to extend help was tremendous and simple at the same time:
See the good in people and help them. Albert Einstein praised him:
Generations
to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this
one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth. American President Barack Obama once acknowledged in India:
I
am mindful that I might not be standing before you today, as President
of the United States, had it not been for Gandhi and the message he
shared with America and the world. Gandhiji and his words are quite appropriate and relevant for our nation, even today.
I extend my sincere wishes in advance for the coming
Dussehra and Id-u’l Zuha
as both these festivals fall quite close together in October giving us a
chance to have an extended celebration period. While the world is
becoming individualistic, festivals like these give us moments to be in
the company of others and realise the importance of this togetherness in
life.
Let us celebrate the festivals with happiness and responsibility.