Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility in India?

I’m happy and proud to report that Jaico Publishing’s edition of my book, Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations, is now available in India. My book was first released in the UK and the US in 2021, and the sustainability and change category shortlist for the UK Business Book Awards was announced in 2022. Therefore, it is wonderful to be published on a third continent, especially as this is now a crucial region as India’s robust economy has exceeded the UK in size and is now the fifth largest, per the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Given the expansion of the Indian economy, it is crucial now more than ever for all local, national, and international firms to take their responsibilities to corporate social responsibility (CSR) very seriously. in light of the fact that the idea of CSR is now firmly established on the global corporate agenda and is seen as essential to success and survival.

Particularly considering the fact that some corporations still utilise their CSR initiatives only as a tool for marketing, which indicates that these businesses are likely greenwashing and acting sincere. Now, more than ever, it is essential for all types of businesses to have genuine corporate social responsibility initiatives that are not a publicity spin. This is where my book comes in.

Corporate Social Responsibility

My book highlights how CSR can benefit firms and, more significantly, why it’s the future of business. I spoke with 15 global inspirational thought leaders and business owners to make the book unique, impactful, and interesting. These individuals included Fred Huguez, who escaped the LA gang culture to discuss the essence of sustainability, Lois Acton, who was mentored by Anita Roddick, founder of the Bodyshop, and David Katz, CEO of Plastic Bank. I spoke with three additional influencers who are pertinent to the Indian market for the book’s Indian edition. 18 interviews in total were conducted for this book.

The data and every interview in every chapter demonstrate that there is support from the public on a global scale for businesses to perform better and that CSR is a key factor in investing. CSR must now be the lifeblood of every sort of business for both its clients and staff.

There is a special chapter in the book dedicated to India, and I had the good fortune to conduct an interview with Rusen Kumar, the founder of India CSR Network. Rusen is a true visionary who established this platform before India became the first nation in the world to pass a CSR law in 2014.

Climate change, plastic pollution, bushfires, disappearing forests, a pandemic, and explosive discussions about diversity and inclusion all point to the fact that the world is at a turning point. Additionally, India is expected to continue outpacing other nations for a long time, and India anticipates moving up the list of the largest economies, making this book timely and pertinent to the Indian market.