What Is CSR

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About Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

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Corporate Social Responsibility is a concept Where a corporate should own the responsibility of society. They should not simply make a profit, share the profit among the employees, investors & other stakeholders. But should consider society around as an integral part of their existence to survive. But why should any corporate do this CSR program? Because they are large fish in the pond therefore they should show compassion to the others and hence do not eat all the fishes of pond together otherwise, they themselves will in danger? Because society has given the platform to perform therefore they should reciprocate? Because they should comply with government regulations? Because they will get more name and fame as a compassionate organization and they can capitalize on that power to grow further and cover up their wrongs of past, present, and future? Any sensible person need to understand no one can exist longer in isolation, so it is about the entire ecosystem. In an ecosystem every individual no matter how small they are they play some significant role. If you try to manipulate the system and alter some element of the ecosystem then there are consequences of it. By doing so either you change the rules of the game unilaterally, which is unfair or the entire system comes to danger because of your actions.

In an ecosystem, no matter how small or insignificant is a microbe do not kill it, it has its own utility.

When a factory makes some product, it uses natural resources and pollutes the natural resources Which was right of the local citizens of that area Therefore, it is the responsibility of the corporate to share the profit with the local citizens. But, how to share? Going around distributing money does not make sense. So they put equipment, which measure the pollution which controls the pollution which ensure minimum usage of the local resources But that is their primary responsibility, that is the way should do business It is not a CSR! When they reach the local society help them improve their life around by hiring local people for jobs, planting a tree, sponsoring education, health, food expense of the poor around Developing roads, park, community hall These are all part of the responsibilities of a corporate. In Indian ancient wisdom traditions It is mentioned that There are four purposes of human life Work for Dharma, Work for earning money, Work for Enjoyment, Work for Moksha. And they go only in this sequence without changing the order. Dharma is the Duty, Responsibility of the individual towards others in the surrounding. When you exist you share many relationships with many people and entities around There is nothing unconnected and unrelated in the existence. And that relationship obliges you to perform your responsibility towards them It is not about your large-heartedness, compassion, pity, or generosity. It is just because it is your Dharma, it is your responsibility. Nobody should teach you, neither you should feel that you are doing something great. You must know this is my Dharma, Duty, Responsibility. This concept of Dharma applies to all power centers and lives You as an individual have Dharma You as an organization has Dharma You as an institution has Dharma The state has its Dharma towards citizen and all others living around Rastra has its Dharma towards the citizen. In Dharma, there is eternally going Yagnya. Yagnya is possible only when all the stakeholders participate If any of the stakeholders do not participate or participate half-heartedly then very soon Yagnya will come to halt and subsequently to the end. CSR is a gesture of gratitude of an organization towards the surrounding. It is a kind of Yagnya, It is part of their core business It literally says thank you so much You gave us an opportunity to exist, survive and thrive Therefore as long as I am living around I will do my best possible for the surrounding. And by doing so, I am indirectly supporting my own survival. Ideally, CSR activities should be done in the area and with the surrounding society. A location where an organization physically exists, produces, serves, and consumes. This is not fair you earn from X locality, district, state, or country, and being multinational perform or sponsor CSR activities in Y locality, district, state, or country. If that is the case then why X should allow you to exist at their place? Simply because you have the protection of the law! In today’s time, we find there are super-rich organizations Who have earned a lot from society Either by doing business in the right way or smart way or deceitful way or by leveraging technology

Some of there organizations feel a sense of gratitude and they give some portion of their profit to the CSR program And media reports it as their big-heartedness Obviously, it is their big heart Otherwise generally with huge money heart of the people shrink for others or it becomes stone. There are many super-rich people around who give money But for a specific community and specific purpose They want to make sure that even in the CSR their own agenda should remain on top They give money to NGO for conversion, lobbying against the certain rule, lobbying against the government, to register protest against their opponent, get played in the hand of the enemy and do more harm to society than serving society and expressing gratitude. CSR is not about the activities of those who are making a profit CSR is not only about the engagement of big companies CSR is not brand building CSR is not about giving adventure opportunities to your employees CSR is not about a scheme to make your employees happy

No matter what happens CSR is your responsibility to express gratitude Towards those who have given you shelter After becoming rich it is easy to say I pay taxes to a government I do business in an ethical way I am keeping my employees and partners happy I have money I can go anywhere Why should I spend my money on these beggars and poor around But this is not humanity!

To be happy, survive, and thrive an organization need to spend upon their employees So, do not be short-sighted and small-hearted and limit your family only to those who is reporting to you on daily basis? Spend time with the society around Teach them, plant the tree for them, Conserve water with them, Conserve electricity with them, Celebrate festivals with them

As per the government rule CSR funding by an organization should be done as some percentage of their profit. But, even when you are not able to make the profit Go out and express a sense of gratitude for the ecosystem around.

When your employees go out and you pay them It is your CSR, But, when your employees take leave and go out It is your investment in developing wonderful human being This is how the spirit of CSR should be. Oh, wise reader, what do you think is true CSR?

Hari Om Tat Sat Yours Truly Hari