Ahmedabad recently hosted a significant Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) conference under the theme ‘Idea to Impact’, organised by the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA). The event aimed to discuss various aspects of CSR, bringing together experts and leaders from different fields. The conference featured multiple sessions with speakers who shared their insights on how CSR can truly benefit society.
Prashant Gandhi, Honorary Treasurer of AMA, opened the conference with a welcoming speech. He highlighted the purpose of the event: to help participants understand the true meaning of CSR. Gandhi stressed that CSR should aim to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in society and create a lasting impact.
Kaushal Mehta, founder of Motif Charity Walk and startup mentor, delivered a keynote address. He explained that their weekend charity walks provide an excellent experience, raise funds, and promote fitness among participants. Companies often match personal donations, encouraging more people to join in. Despite initial doubts, their transparent and zero-cost model, driven by the motivation of employees, has helped foster a culture of giving.
Gayatri Subramaniam, Director at the Association for Women in Business and the International Centre for Socially Responsible Businesses, spoke about the importance of documentation and collaborative strategies for effective CSR implementation. She pointed out that while many companies are required to contribute under Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013, many are not active in CSR. She noted that CSR has become a routine activity for numerous corporations, but its true impact can only be achieved through collaborative efforts.
Nitya Trivedi, Deputy Director of the Gujarat Government’s Information Department, and Sanjay Chakravarti, Chairman of the CSR PR Committee and founder of ESS-K-SEE Consultancies, discussed strategies for enhancing communication in CSR. Trivedi emphasised the need for companies to align their CSR activities with the goals of the NGOs they engage with. Chakravarti defined social advertising as using marketing to address social issues such as poverty and education. He noted that the success of CSR communications depends on understanding the audience and harmonising corporate and social objectives.
Several NGO leaders shared success stories during the conference. Dr. Bhushan Punani from the Blind Peoples Association, Bela Joshi from the Sath Foundation, and Manisha Patel from Utthan presented their experiences. Dr. Punani outlined essential strategies for success, emphasising 100% transparency, ongoing audits, and long-term commitment. Joshi shared a model that provides need-based interventions for over 6,000 families through a centralised information hub. Patel reinforced the importance of community-driven, context-specific solutions and a district-wise approach for greater efficiency.
The conference also featured discussions on best practices in CSR, led by Dr. Kshitij Sharma from Adani Foundation, Dr. Hardik Shah from Jivraj Hospital, and Sampada Ghosh, Senior Manager of CSR at Tata Motors. Ankit Machchar, Director of the Vadwani Foundation Ecosystem, presented on ‘Stories of Benefactors’. Manish Dua, Operating Officer at Honda, concluded the session. The speakers collectively emphasised that effective CSR requires strategic planning, complete transparency, and a focus on local, community-centric initiatives.
As the conference concluded, the participants left with a renewed understanding of the importance of CSR. They recognised that real change comes from thoughtful, well-implemented initiatives that engage local communities and foster long-term relationships. The ‘Idea to Impact’ conference successfully showcased the potential of CSR to create positive change in society, urging all stakeholders to play an active role in this vital work.