IIFT’s CSR Club Initiates Girl Child Education Scheme

13th July 2009

IIFT’s Social responsibility Club – Koshish has initiated a girl child education program under which it  gave away books and stationary to 100 meritorious girl students from Delhi’s schools as a token of appreciation and encouragement. The scheme aims to benefit girls from poor background who are meritorious. The girl students were felicitated along with their teachers at the ceremony.

The function  was held on July 10th, 2009. Present at the function were delegates from NGOs & Corporate world. The program is an example of the increased emphasis that is placed on CSR activities as a part of business education which helps in grooming students into more balanced managers. The distinguished speakers shared their experiences on CSR with the audiences.  Educational videos on Rain water harvesting, Electricity saving were also aired. Later a speaker series was also organized where the speakers shared their CSR experiences. The funds for the scheme came from voluntary donations from the IIFT alumnus, students & Staff.

Ms. Saroj Sagar, President –Rotary Club said “Women empowerment and hence girl education is at the root of all problems in India.” She also told that Rotary Club has social commitments and it plans to continue its association with IIFT in field of social responsibility like organizing the annual blood donation camps. Ms. Kumud Bhargava, President , Innerwheel expressed how it was important for women at homes to stop using plastic bags and instead use cloth bags.

Speaking at the Speaker series Deepak Dobriyal from Cognizant shared Cognizant’s CSR initiatives. He emphasized how small steps at informal level go a long way in addressing the society’s problems than the heavily publicized CSR efforts mainly focused on creating publicity. He also discussed with students how Cognizant has a ‘Go Green Team’ that specifically looks to address environmental & climate change issues.

Mr. Matthew Cherian, CEO Helpage India in his presentation highlighted the fact that corporate world should move away from glossy and hollow CSR activities to the real agenda. He said “As individuals have responsibilities in the same manner companies also have responsibilities. Therefore Corporate responsibility or CR should replace CSR i.e. Corporate Social Responsibility”. Also he emphasized “it was important in today’s time to focus our efforts on saving our planet from climate change effects. People, Profit & Planet must be the combined focus of today’s corporate world”