PUNE: Experts in the CSR field emphasize that adopting an inclusive approach, involving all stakeholders, is essential for CSR initiatives, as it facilitates desired development and enables collective progress.

The Pune Social Impact Dialogue, organized by the Software Exporters Association of Pune (SEAP), was recently held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel on Bund Garden Road. The event featured a panel discussion where experts shared their insights. The program was inaugurated by Sonali Deshpande, Chairperson of Persistent Foundation.

Key dignitaries present at the event included President of SEAP Vinita Gera, Vice President Shivraj Sable, Secretary and Coordinator of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Forum Vidyadhar Purandare, Treasurer Anand Ranade and EC Members of SEAP, including Abhijit Atre, Nitin Deshpande, Ashutosh Parasnis, Amod Deshpande, Shivesh Vishwanathan, and Uday Gujar, were also present among others.

Corporate institutions’ CSR funds often fail to reach the right social organizations. With this in mind, the Software Exporters Association of Pune (SEAP) has taken the initiative to ensure the effective utilization of CSR funds. To connect the right institutions with the right projects, SEAP has created the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Forum. As part of this initiative, the “Pune Social Impact Dialogue” was organized.

During the program, Sonali Deshpande, Chairperson of Persistent Foundation, emphasized that India is known globally as a nation of youth, with the largest young population. However, the country faces a challenge in providing sufficient job opportunities. Therefore, young people need to explore opportunities through self-employment and strive to move forward.

The dialogue featured a panel discussion on “Social Responsibility” with Sachin Gadgil, Architect Anagha Paranjape, Vidyadhar Purandare, Jignesh Thakkar, and Shivam Singh sharing their insights.

While working in the field of social responsibility, various challenges exist, and companies and individuals need to change their mindset to address these issues, said Architect Anagha Paranjape. She emphasized that environmental issues have become critical over the past few decades and require immediate attention. It is essential to focus on making our living spaces greener and inculcating water conservation habits among citizens. While cities in many parts of the world are dying, Indian cities are growing rapidly, she added.

Paranjape also noted that the new generation is experimental and has a good approach to in-depth thinking. When working through CSR, there is a gap between companies and society in solving existing problems. Bridging this gap and working together to find permanent solutions is becoming increasingly important.

Vidyadhar Purandare emphasized that as cities develop, it is crucial to think about their development in a structured way. Understanding future needs, planning accordingly, and involving people in solving their problems is essential. A collective and collaborative effort will help to address key challenges effectively.

Jignesh Thakkar emphasized the importance of understanding societal needs and adapting accordingly. He stated that sustainable development necessitates collaboration between companies and society to move forward. The younger generation has tremendous energy, and harnessing it positively can lead to development.

Sachin Gadgil emphasized the need to increase people’s participation in CSR initiatives and focus on human resources. Today’s youth are intelligent and proactive, and with proper training, they can become the human resources needed for this field. Shivam Singh coordinated the panel discussion and moderated the session.

The post Experts Advocate for Inclusivity in Social Responsibility Initiatives appeared first on NRI News.

In a strategic collaboration, the two entities will curate world-class content and learning experiences aimed at driving growth and innovation for working professionals and corporations globally. In addition to enterprise learning experiences, the partnership will focus on developing and launching programs in Generative AI and allied technologies, enabling clients and professionals to get trained in new-age skills.

HCLTech and upGrad Enterprise will also launch a Data Science and AI Academy of Excellence (AI AOE), offering clients and learners access to upGrad’s world-class pedagogy and HCLTech’s industry-relevant content and lab facilities. This innovative collaboration, leveraging GenAI solutions and capabilities, will set a stronger precedence for collaboration and drive transformative business impact.

“By combining our edtech offerings with upGrad Enterprise’s proposition for global clients and university-led skilling courses /certifications in high-demand disciplines such as data and emerging technologies, we are set to jointly offer clients and learners a world-class learning experience, complete with high-quality study material and practical, real-world industry experiences, facilitating the quicker application of skills in their professional roles,” said Srimathi Shivashankar, Corporate Vice President and Global Head, EdTech Business, HCLTech.

“With technology rapidly advancing across all domains, upskilling in new-age skills is more crucial than ever. In this era, the focus has moved to applied learning rather than just mastering fundamentals, as it directly impacts real-time ROI. Our collaboration is strategically timed to facilitate strong peer-to-peer learning, enabling scalable real-world outcomes. By seamlessly integrating learning with industry readiness, we empower global professionals and enterprises to effectively enhance their skills and capabilities,” added Srikanth Iyengar, CEO, of upGrad Enterprise.

An Oliver Wyman Forum report predicts a $20T boost, which could increase global gross domestic product by 20% by 2030.

HCLTech’s Career Shaper^TM edtech platform and services, built on industry- and domain-specific expertise, help enterprise clients and educational institutions train and upskill their workforce and learners on the latest technologies and skills, boosting the overall employability and productivity of the individual learner, the company and industry.

The post HCLTech And upGrad Join Forces For Job-Aligned Skilling Programs appeared first on NRI News.

PUNE: CavinKare, in association with the Madras Management Association (MMA), has opened nominations for the 13^th Edition of the ChinniKrishnan Innovation Awards 2024. Companies with an annual turnover of not more than Rs. 50 crores in FY 2022-23 can apply for the awards at – https://ckinnovationawards.in/   or by giving a missed call to +91 97899 60398. The last date to submit nomination entries is 8^th July 2024. The award commemorates the significant innovations of the late Mr. ChinniKrishnan, aiming to recognize startups and mid-scale companies for their exceptional and impactful innovations and significant contributions to society.

The CavinKare-MMA ChinniKrishnan Innovation Awards celebrate entrepreneurial excellence under three distinct categories, recognizing the distinctiveness and impact of innovative products or services. The awards focus on the uniqueness, scalability, sustainability, and societal benefits of the innovations. Winners will be awarded a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh and will receive comprehensive support in areas such as marketing, finance, design, packaging, patent application, R&D, and human resources.

Annually, CavinKare instituted this award in memory of the late Shri R. ChinniKrishnan, hailed as the “father of the sachet revolution” and the father of Mr. C. K. Ranganathan, Chairman & Managing Director of CavinKare Pvt. Ltd. Established in 2011, the CavinKare-MMA ChinniKrishnan Innovation Award has honored the entrepreneurial spirit, recognizing over 50 entrepreneurs across various categories to date.

The post CavinKare-MMA Invites Nominations For The 13th Edition Of The ChinniKrishnan Innovation Awards 2024 appeared first on NRI News.