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Anita b

Why Corporate Investment in Women’s AI Skills Is No Longer Optional

It has been hard to escape discussions on the impacts of AI, a technology that seems like it has sprung from the pages of science fiction. The rapid development of large language models (LLMs) and generative AI seemingly promises a cornucopia of potential benefits that many companies are eager to avail – productivity, efficiency and the unlocking of entirely new workflows (and workforces). However, with some of the hype cycle around AI fading away, the question of what AI adaptations will help companies maximise their integration of the technology could not be more critical right now. For too long, corporate investment in women has been measured by the number of training hours delivered or certifications completed. In an AI-driven economy,

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1 growth

Sustainability and Strategy: Why Responsible Growth Is Now a Business Imperative

As climate, capital, and intelligent technology reshape the conditions of enterprise, sustainability has moved from the edge of the corporate agenda to the centre of how serious companies build value, manage risk, and earn lasting trust. By Dr. Swapnil Sahoo – Assistant Professor, Strategy & Entrepreneurship, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon For a long time, sustainability was treated as a good deed at the edge of business. It appeared in CSR brochures, tree-planting photographs, and the closing pages of annual reports. That era is ending. Sustainability is now entering the heart of strategy, not because it has become fashionable, but because the risks it addresses have entered the heart of business itself. Climate volatility, water stress, fragile supply chains, inequality,

Read More »
NGO Rating Logo

CSR Times NGO Rating – Why NGO rating matters in India’s evolving social impact ecosystem

India today has one of the world’s largest and most vibrant social sector ecosystems, with millions of NGOs working across education, healthcare, livelihoods, sustainability, skilling, rural development, women empowerment, climate action, and community resilience. Over the last decade, the sector has witnessed significant growth driven by increasing CSR spending, philanthropic capital, institutional funding, and rising societal expectations around measurable social impact. With annual CSR spending in India crossing several thousand crores and foundations and corporates increasingly adopting strategic and impact-oriented funding approaches, NGOs are no longer viewed merely as charitable organizations. They are now recognized as critical implementation partners and change enablers contributing to nation-building and sustainable development. However, alongside this rapid growth, the sector also faces a major challenge

Read More »
Disablelities

Invisible Disabilities: The Conversation We Can No Longer Ignore

“The deepest struggles are often the ones the world cannot see.Inclusion begins the moment we learn to recognize silent battles with the same urgency as visible ones.” ~ Dr. Gayatri Narasimhan Invisible disabilities exist all around us. They do not come with visible markers. They do not announce themselves. They sit quietly within classrooms, workplaces, and homes, often misunderstood, mislabelled, or completely overlooked. We live in a world that is quick to respond to what it can see, but often silent toward what it cannot. When a person uses a wheelchair, society immediately recognizes the need for accessibility and support. But when a child struggles to process instructions, becomes overwhelmed by noise, avoids eye contact, forgets tasks, or reacts differently

Read More »
Embrace

Why CSR Must Embrace Climate Adaptation Strategies

“Building Resilient Communities, Businesses, and Economies in a Warming World” Climate change is no longer a future risk—it is a present-day reality affecting economies, businesses, and communities across the globe. Rising temperatures, extreme heatwaves, floods, cyclones, droughts, and water scarcity are increasingly disrupting livelihoods, damaging infrastructure, threatening public health, and impacting economic growth. In this rapidly changing environment, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) must move beyond traditional philanthropy and evolve into a strategic tool for climate adaptation and resilience-building. Globally, climate-related disasters are causing unprecedented financial and social losses. According to international climate and economic assessments, vulnerable populations and developing economies are likely to bear the greatest burden of climate impacts in the coming decades. Businesses are also experiencing growing operational

Read More »
Tobacco

World No Tobacco Day: Reclaiming Discipline, Health, and Legacy

World No Tobacco Day, observed each year on May 31, is often framed as a public health campaign. But for those who shape institutions, influence society, and define standards—leaders, professionals, and decision-makers—it represents something deeper: a question of discipline, clarity of judgment, and long-term legacy. Tobacco is not an indigenous habit. It entered India in the 16th century through colonial trade routes, gradually embedding itself into social behavior across classes. Yet, if we turn to classical Indian knowledge systems such as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, we find no endorsement of such substances. These texts, foundational to Ayurveda, emphasize restraint, balance, and conscious living. Health, in this framework, is not merely the absence of disease—it is a state of

Read More »
Cities

Accessible Cities: Dream or Reality?

Cities are meant to belong to everyone. They are centers of education, employment, healthcare, culture, and social life. However, for millions of people with disabilities, cities still remain difficult to navigate. Uneven footpaths, inaccessible transport systems, poor signage, and buildings without proper facilities create daily barriers that affect independence and dignity. From the perspective of persons with disabilities, an accessible city is not only about infrastructure—it is about equality, inclusion, and the right to participate fully in society. According to the 2011 Census of India, the country has over 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, around 2.21% of the population. Experts believe the actual number is much higher due to underreporting and lack of awareness. By 2027, India may officially have

Read More »
EHS

The ‘S’ of EHS in Action: Worker Welfare, Safety & Fair Wages

Dr Arvind Kumar EHS—Environment, Health and Safety—is very important for businesses to be responsible. In India the “S” or Safety part has become very important with new labour codes. In November 2025, India consolidated 29 archaic labour laws into four simplified, modernized codes: the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, and Code on Social Security. These new rules are meant to make old laws simpler and better. They focus on worker welfare, safety at work and fair wages for growth. For businesses that care about being socially responsible this is a chance to show they care about workers. Historically, India’s labour laws were spread across about 30 different laws, and were hard to

Read More »
supply chains

Responsible Supply Chains: Ethical Sourcing and ESG Integration

Photo Credit: Shekhar Ghosh In today’s interconnected world, supply chains are no longer invisible threads quietly stitching together production and consumption. They are under a spotlight—examined, questioned, and increasingly held accountable. The concept of responsible supply chains has emerged not as a trend, but as a necessity. At its core lies a commitment to ethical sourcing and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into every stage of operations. Ethical sourcing is the foundation of a responsible supply chain. It demands that companies look beyond cost efficiency and speed, and instead consider the human and environmental impact of their procurement decisions. This means ensuring that raw materials are obtained without exploitation, that workers are paid fair wages, and

Read More »

IMPACT MEASUREMENT & CSR ROI CHALLENGES

Introduction With AI taking centre stage in shaping Corporation cost structures and business models across industries has resulted in companies addressing issues which have a direct impact on their profit margins and the way of doing business. This further behoves on companies to improve their delivery mechanisms through sustained innovative solutions by bringing about a resilient and growth oriented culture, which has a lot to do with quick  decision making. This has resulted in fuelling innovation, resilience and growth in all functional areas to include CSR and Sustainability as that will give corporations the necessary competitive advantage. It is therefore axiomatic to mention that corporate leaders have to understand what gives them that advantage and report their outcomes as per

Read More »
Anita b

Why Corporate Investment in Women’s AI Skills Is No Longer Optional

It has been hard to escape discussions on the impacts of AI, a technology that seems like it has sprung from the pages of science fiction. The rapid development of large language models (LLMs) and generative AI seemingly promises a cornucopia of potential benefits that many companies are eager to avail – productivity, efficiency and the unlocking of entirely new workflows (and workforces). However, with some of the hype cycle around AI fading away, the question of what AI adaptations will help companies maximise their integration of the technology could not be more critical right now. For too long, corporate investment in women has been measured by the number of training hours delivered or certifications completed. In an AI-driven economy,

Read More »
1 growth

Sustainability and Strategy: Why Responsible Growth Is Now a Business Imperative

As climate, capital, and intelligent technology reshape the conditions of enterprise, sustainability has moved from the edge of the corporate agenda to the centre of how serious companies build value, manage risk, and earn lasting trust. By Dr. Swapnil Sahoo – Assistant Professor, Strategy & Entrepreneurship, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon For a long time, sustainability was treated as a good deed at the edge of business. It appeared in CSR brochures, tree-planting photographs, and the closing pages of annual reports. That era is ending. Sustainability is now entering the heart of strategy, not because it has become fashionable, but because the risks it addresses have entered the heart of business itself. Climate volatility, water stress, fragile supply chains, inequality,

Read More »
NGO Rating Logo

CSR Times NGO Rating – Why NGO rating matters in India’s evolving social impact ecosystem

India today has one of the world’s largest and most vibrant social sector ecosystems, with millions of NGOs working across education, healthcare, livelihoods, sustainability, skilling, rural development, women empowerment, climate action, and community resilience. Over the last decade, the sector has witnessed significant growth driven by increasing CSR spending, philanthropic capital, institutional funding, and rising societal expectations around measurable social impact. With annual CSR spending in India crossing several thousand crores and foundations and corporates increasingly adopting strategic and impact-oriented funding approaches, NGOs are no longer viewed merely as charitable organizations. They are now recognized as critical implementation partners and change enablers contributing to nation-building and sustainable development. However, alongside this rapid growth, the sector also faces a major challenge

Read More »
Disablelities

Invisible Disabilities: The Conversation We Can No Longer Ignore

“The deepest struggles are often the ones the world cannot see.Inclusion begins the moment we learn to recognize silent battles with the same urgency as visible ones.” ~ Dr. Gayatri Narasimhan Invisible disabilities exist all around us. They do not come with visible markers. They do not announce themselves. They sit quietly within classrooms, workplaces, and homes, often misunderstood, mislabelled, or completely overlooked. We live in a world that is quick to respond to what it can see, but often silent toward what it cannot. When a person uses a wheelchair, society immediately recognizes the need for accessibility and support. But when a child struggles to process instructions, becomes overwhelmed by noise, avoids eye contact, forgets tasks, or reacts differently

Read More »
Embrace

Why CSR Must Embrace Climate Adaptation Strategies

“Building Resilient Communities, Businesses, and Economies in a Warming World” Climate change is no longer a future risk—it is a present-day reality affecting economies, businesses, and communities across the globe. Rising temperatures, extreme heatwaves, floods, cyclones, droughts, and water scarcity are increasingly disrupting livelihoods, damaging infrastructure, threatening public health, and impacting economic growth. In this rapidly changing environment, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) must move beyond traditional philanthropy and evolve into a strategic tool for climate adaptation and resilience-building. Globally, climate-related disasters are causing unprecedented financial and social losses. According to international climate and economic assessments, vulnerable populations and developing economies are likely to bear the greatest burden of climate impacts in the coming decades. Businesses are also experiencing growing operational

Read More »
Tobacco

World No Tobacco Day: Reclaiming Discipline, Health, and Legacy

World No Tobacco Day, observed each year on May 31, is often framed as a public health campaign. But for those who shape institutions, influence society, and define standards—leaders, professionals, and decision-makers—it represents something deeper: a question of discipline, clarity of judgment, and long-term legacy. Tobacco is not an indigenous habit. It entered India in the 16th century through colonial trade routes, gradually embedding itself into social behavior across classes. Yet, if we turn to classical Indian knowledge systems such as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, we find no endorsement of such substances. These texts, foundational to Ayurveda, emphasize restraint, balance, and conscious living. Health, in this framework, is not merely the absence of disease—it is a state of

Read More »
Cities

Accessible Cities: Dream or Reality?

Cities are meant to belong to everyone. They are centers of education, employment, healthcare, culture, and social life. However, for millions of people with disabilities, cities still remain difficult to navigate. Uneven footpaths, inaccessible transport systems, poor signage, and buildings without proper facilities create daily barriers that affect independence and dignity. From the perspective of persons with disabilities, an accessible city is not only about infrastructure—it is about equality, inclusion, and the right to participate fully in society. According to the 2011 Census of India, the country has over 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, around 2.21% of the population. Experts believe the actual number is much higher due to underreporting and lack of awareness. By 2027, India may officially have

Read More »
EHS

The ‘S’ of EHS in Action: Worker Welfare, Safety & Fair Wages

Dr Arvind Kumar EHS—Environment, Health and Safety—is very important for businesses to be responsible. In India the “S” or Safety part has become very important with new labour codes. In November 2025, India consolidated 29 archaic labour laws into four simplified, modernized codes: the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, and Code on Social Security. These new rules are meant to make old laws simpler and better. They focus on worker welfare, safety at work and fair wages for growth. For businesses that care about being socially responsible this is a chance to show they care about workers. Historically, India’s labour laws were spread across about 30 different laws, and were hard to

Read More »
supply chains

Responsible Supply Chains: Ethical Sourcing and ESG Integration

Photo Credit: Shekhar Ghosh In today’s interconnected world, supply chains are no longer invisible threads quietly stitching together production and consumption. They are under a spotlight—examined, questioned, and increasingly held accountable. The concept of responsible supply chains has emerged not as a trend, but as a necessity. At its core lies a commitment to ethical sourcing and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into every stage of operations. Ethical sourcing is the foundation of a responsible supply chain. It demands that companies look beyond cost efficiency and speed, and instead consider the human and environmental impact of their procurement decisions. This means ensuring that raw materials are obtained without exploitation, that workers are paid fair wages, and

Read More »

IMPACT MEASUREMENT & CSR ROI CHALLENGES

Introduction With AI taking centre stage in shaping Corporation cost structures and business models across industries has resulted in companies addressing issues which have a direct impact on their profit margins and the way of doing business. This further behoves on companies to improve their delivery mechanisms through sustained innovative solutions by bringing about a resilient and growth oriented culture, which has a lot to do with quick  decision making. This has resulted in fuelling innovation, resilience and growth in all functional areas to include CSR and Sustainability as that will give corporations the necessary competitive advantage. It is therefore axiomatic to mention that corporate leaders have to understand what gives them that advantage and report their outcomes as per

Read More »

I/we Wish To...

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The CSR TIMES Newsletter is your front-row pass to our magazine’s most loved moments: audience-favorite clips, our most popular features, powerful quotes, and the most important stories crafted for a fast-paced digital experience. Designed for today’s four-screen world, it delivers high-impact content straight to your inbox, allowing you to stay updated anytime, anywhere, and absolutely free of cost, so you never miss the conversations shaping the future of sustainability and responsible leadership. Ultimately, CSR TIMES Newsletter is about building an informed and inspired community of leaders who are committed to driving positive social and environmental change.

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