I t was one of the momentous occasions for people across the country and especially those who have been associated with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives when they took part and connected virtually in the 7th National CSR E-Summit & Awards organized by CSR Times on December 10. The event was inaugurated by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Chief Guest and Hon. Minister of State for Labour and Employment (MoLE, Independent Charge). Guests of Honour included K. J. Alphons, former Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism, currently serving as a Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan and H. E. (Mr.) Yogesh Punja, High Commissioner of Fiji to India. The virtual E-Summit & Awards ceremony went on full swing after worthy nominees from various fields were conferred with Certificate of Excellence. While lauding the efforts of Labour and Employment Ministry in addressing the plight of millions of labourers stranded during the Covid-19, Mr Harish Chandra, Editor of CSR Times, welcomed the dignitaries and thanked all participants in the event.

Addressing the 7th National CSR E-Summit & Awards, Mr Gangwar elaborated in detail how his ministry has taken various steps to mitigate the problems faced by both organized and unorganized workers. Commenting on the series of measures announced by MoLE, he said, “Social Security Fund was launched to offer social security to about 40 crore unorganized workers employed across the sectors. Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) facility will very soon cover all the 740 districts in India.” Mr. Alphons, who attended many of programmes organized by CSR Times in the past, hoped that vaccines for containing Covid-19 would be developed very soon. While explaining how the pandemic has severely affected India’s tourism industry and nation’s coffers, former minister stressed the need for sharing resources, reaching out to the needy and spreading happiness to humanity in this challenging time.

Awardees from CSR projects in 17 categories across the sectors such as education, healthcare, skill development, women empowerment, environment and livelihoods, among others were selected based on their performance in the fields in transparent manner by members of the Jury panel comprising eminent luminaries in their fields.