Is CSR in India All About Optics or Real Social Change? | Xplore by XLRI

Описание: Is CSR in India mostly about optics and storytelling—or real, measurable social change? In this hard-hitting episode of Xplore by XLRI, industry veterans, social sector changemakers, and academics take on the tough questions behind India’s massive CSR spending, examining what works, what doesn’t, and how true impact is hidden beneath headlines and annual reports.

📢 Featured Leaders:
Avinash Chandra, Capgemini
Ravi Mantha, Bollant Industries
Dr Amit Singh, Care Hospitals
Jitender Bahri, Swiss Re
Richa Dwivedi, HSBC
Fr Joseph Mathew, S J, XLRI
M. M. Pallam Raju, ASIP Technologies
Suresh Chitturi, Srinavasa Farms
Sujeet Kumar, Cyient
Prof Alok Raj, XLRI

🔍 Key Discussion
⭐ Are Optics Outweighing Impact?
"Are we spending more on telling impact stories than making actual impact?"
Many organizations invest heavily in promotion instead of direct, visible action for communities.

⭐ Big Numbers, Small Results?
"35,000 cr is what we spend on CSR ... I don't see that impact with 35,000 cr."
Despite enormous outlays, questions remain about the transparency and effectiveness of these efforts.

⭐ Examples of True Impact
"Infosys Foundation ... Polaris Foundation ... actually gone to deep India location and created impact."
A few organizations have set benchmarks by moving beyond just funding, engaging deeply with grassroots realities.

⭐ Beyond Spend: Employee & Ground Engagement
"Should not be seen only from one lens of spending ... employees must be involved in ground impact."
Real change comes from active participation, not just financial support.

⭐ Building Capabilities & Institutions
"A lot of capability building, institution building ... is happening from the other side, a lot of money is coming from this side."
Long-term social impact involves nurturing local talent and robust institutions—not just donations.

⭐ Grassroots Capacity Building
"We can use our capabilities to build some capabilities at the grassroot level ... that is where we find impact."
Empowering local communities to solve their own problems leverages company strengths for wider good.

⭐ Measurement & Accountability Gap
"There is a framework but ... no reports show the impact created."
There’s a lack of transparent, credible reporting about true, sustained outcomes.

⭐ Repetitive Funding, Limited Scope
"Funding the same NGO, showing impact for the same set of people ... how do you distinguish?"
Repeated funding cycles may overlap and inflate numbers—missing opportunities for diversified impact.

📌 Topics Covered
How much CSR in India is “show” versus substance?
Why is reporting impact so difficult and rare?
What practices drive authentic transformation at scale?
How can companies move beyond photo ops to real participation?
Which organizations are actually creating change, and what can others learn from them?

💡
Have you seen CSR create real change—or just look good on paper? What are the best ways to measure impact and encourage authentic action? Let us know in the comments 👇

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CSR outcomes India
CSR impact measurement
optics vs social change CSR
grassroots capacity building
real CSR success stories
employee-led CSR India
repetitive CSR funding
Xplore by XLRI