Experts’ Corner

The Jury members evaluating the nominations for the CSR and BESG Awards India’s responsible business landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. The conversation is moving beyond what companies do and how much they spend towards a more fundamental question: What difference does responsible business actually make? This question was particularly relevant at the 13th National CSR & ESG Summit and Awards 2026, organised by CSR Times on 4 August 2026 at Le Méridien, New Delhi. Held around the theme “Role of Responsible Businesses for Inclusive Bharat,” the Summit brought together more than 500 delegates, while over 2,500 participants joined through live streaming. As a member of the Jury for the CSR Times and Bharat ESG & Sustainability Awards 2026, chaired

When technology learns to adapt to people Accessibility often becomes visible in the simplest moments. When I enter a conference room or public space, I notice the podium height, walking path, seating, lighting and ergonomics — asking myself whether the space is accessible for my needs. Some needs are visible and permanent; others are temporary, situational or invisible. Accessibility is about dignity, independence and participation. More than 1.3 billion people globally live with disabilities, and the need for accessibility is expected to grow as populations age. As education, work, healthcare, banking and public services become more digital, digital accessibility is no longer a niche need; it is a social and economic priority. “The question is not whether AI will make

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,

Introduction There has been a considerable evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within the last few decades, as this concept has developed from a voluntary philanthropic approach into a strategically motivated and legally governed corporate governance practice. Historically, businesses have seen their social responsibilities in ethical terms as a way of demonstrating such responsibilities in the form of philanthropy, social welfare, and other charitable interventions. Nonetheless, the emergence of globalization, industrialization, environmental degradation, and increased socio-economic disparities has changed the perspective of society about the role of corporations. Currently, societies expect corporations to help not only in economic development but also in sustainable development, social justice, environment, and human resource development (Carroll, 1991; Porter & Kramer, 2011). Corporate social responsibility

By K.Ganesh, Director, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International Rapid industrialisation and urban expansion have long stressed natural resources and polluted ecosystems. We experience climate change in ecosystems, fading biodiversity, and lives disrupted by extreme weather, health, and economic crises. As food and water security erode and communities grow more vulnerable, we must ask ourselves how we can give back to the environment more than we take from it. The answer to that question will determine whether people can sufficiently restore the planet to sustain themselves.    Linear consumption models, where resources are extracted, used and discarded, place a growing burden on the environment and on communities. They increase dependence on virgin resources, add pressure on stressed water systems, and

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,