Now this is what they Call CSR

November 30, 2011 | Filed under: Entrepreneurship,Your Opinion | Posted by: Prashant Agarwal

On 2^nd Oct, 2011, The Times of India in collaborations with J.P. Morgan launched the ‘Social Impact Awards’ to honor those who have tirelessly given away their lives to pave a path of progress for our country.

Really a nice effort, as these people are the real heroes of our country. The Times of India called all the top-notch officials to present the awards including our distinguished Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh. The Members included Jamie Demon, the CEO of J.P. Morgan, Nandan Nilkani, Jairam Ramesh and Nitish Kumar.

I know the names of all the members because if you search for the winners of this award you can only get the members of the Jury of the speech of Vineet Jain, the CEO of Times of India.

Times of India printed advertisements saying how much it works for the benefit of the society and how it plans to celebrate the birthday of the ‘Father of the Nation’. But the coverage of this event, really made me think whether these events were arranged to give coverage to the ‘people who have put their life for the betterment of others’ or it’s for the jury or the committee members.

Why do we always require a mask to do everything? And why do we always hide our shameful acts behind such pious issues. If Times of India and J.P. Morgan really had to garnish praise on the Politicians and bureaucrats’, can’t they do it by other means? Why do they have to take the ladder of such issues?

Only in one article (after going through ten articles) I was really able to find the name of the winners. It really made me happy to finally know that some award winners were also present at the ceremony.

But, behind all this negatives I also liked one point of this event, which was that for the 1^st time an army battalion has been nominated and awarded an award for the work they do. It was 135 Infantry battalion Territorial Army Assam. I am also posting the names of other winners so that if someone is really looking for the winners then he may find it here.

LIST OF WINNERS

Lifetime achievement award was given to Baba Adhav for his struggle to ensure social security and legal rights for workers in the unorganized sector.

Global contribution to India: Association for India’s Development

Education: Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre (NGO)

Livelihood: Shroffs Foundation Trust (NGO) and Indian Farm Forestry Development Cooperative Corporate (Corporate)

Advocacy & Empowerment: Dhas Gramin Vikas Kendra (NGO) and Srinivasan Services Trust (Corporate)

Health: Comprehensive Rural Health Project (NGO) and Collector’s Office Kohlapur (Govt organisation) and District Administration Bahraich (Govt organisation)

Environment: BAIF Development Research Foundation (NGO) and 135 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army Assam (Govt organisation)

P.S- I am still on the lookout for the work they are doing for which they have been awarded this award and if I am successful in this I will surely keep you posted.

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