Interviews

An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Shridhar Venkat, CEO of The Akshaya Patra Foundation How has the Foundation adapted its CSR engagement strategies in response to evolving corporate social responsibility trends? The Akshaya Patra Foundation has continually evolved its CSR engagement strategies to align with the dynamic landscape of corporate social responsibility. In recent years, we have strengthened our collaborations with the Central and State Governments, alongside fostering robust partnerships with corporate and individual donors. This multi-stakeholder approach ensures that our initiatives are both scalable and sustainable, allowing us to extend our reach and impact. We focus on creating tailored engagement opportunities that resonate with our partners’ goals, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and mutual benefits. What role do CSR contributions play in

Goa being a small state and having limited industries alignment across all levels of an organization and finding a suitable company to fund a particular type of project can be challenging. Over the years, numerous companies based in Goa and outside Goa have been consistently working shoulder to shoulder along with various Departments in Goa Administration and in collaboration with local NGOs and various clubs. As the Principal Advisor, what are your key responsibilities within the Goa CSR Authority? My responsibility includes creating need & opportunities for state of goa in socio economic development with the private partnership through CSR from different entities like Government, PSUs & others. The area of focus like Education, Skill Development, Health & Environment are

As Joint CEO, what are your key responsibilities within the Goa CSR Authority? The Joint CEO, plays a crucial role in shaping and implementing a Goa Government CSR strategy which involves a broad range of responsibilities that require strategic vision, operational management, and stakeholder engagement. The Joint CEO is the de facto head of the administration of the Goa CSR Authority. The Joint CEO shall have control of the affairs of the society and shall have the authority to exercise and discharge his duties according to the aims and objectives of the society. The Joint CEO regularly tracks the progress against goals and identifies areas for improvement; he also prepares and presents detailed CSR reports to the government and ensures

The Goa Government has undertaken a revolutionary step by creating a Goa CSR authority with all the relevant registration and government statutory requirements to enable corporations to donate their CSR funds through the authority. Speaking to CSR Times, the Honorable Shri Pramod Sawant explains the government’s thinking behind this move.   Why was Goa CSR Authority formed?Over the years, numerous companies based in Goa and outside Goa have been consistently working shoulder to shoulder along with various Departments in Goa Administration and in collaboration with local NGOs and various clubs. They have been mainly working in the field of health especially during Covid outbreak, Education, Women Empowerment and Skill Development. All these works worth crores of rupees were being done

  ThinkSharp Foundation, a focused and successful NGO is forging ahead with a vision “To bridge the Rural-Urban education divide.”  It is working relentlessly towards its goal of improving the quality of rural education in schools and after school hours, increasing school enrolment, reducing school dropouts and improving the learning outcomes in rural children. CSR Times spoke to its Founder Santosh Phad, to gain an insight into the perspective of this dynamic visionary. CSR Times: Can you let us know about your background and whether it was instrumental in influencing your current venture?  if so, how? SP: I was born and raised in a small village called Mandwa, in the Parali taluka, District Beed, Maharashtra. This village is in the

“Muthoot Finance operates on direct engagement models focused on grassroots-level activities. Having said that, we also associate with NGOs and other entities, but our team is always closely involved in the process. We have more than 5800 plus branches across the 29 states in the country focused especially on the rural segments of the country. This network helps us understand the reality of the issues faced by the deprived communities.” Muthoot Finance is widely reckoned as the pioneers of the gold loan business in India. For three decades, its operations has been spearheaded by Mr. George Alexander Muthoot- Managing Director of Muthoot Finance. It is hardly uncommon to hear about his financial prowess driving his organization to robust growth. But what’s

Dr. Hassan Kunhi, is a dynamic and versatile businessman who believes no opportunity is small or avoidable. With extensive knowledge in the healthcare sector, paving the way to achieving great success stories. He is the Chairman of MedTech– As one of Qatar’s leading healthcare solution providers. He tells CSR Times about the challenges and opportunities in the medical field in the Middle East and globally. Excerpts from the interview: CSR Times: Tell us about the birth of MedTech? HK: Over forty years ago, I envisaged a future of excellence as a healthcare solution provider to the Qatar market. Today, I am proud to say that vision has become a glorious reality, with MedTech being one of the premier healthcare technology