Interviews

1  What inspired the creation of the Lighting a Billion Lives initiative, and what gap was it designed to address?   Lighting a Billion Lives© is a global initiative launched in 2008 to facilitate clean energy access and to deliver last mile energy services for basic and productive use. This initiative enables energy poor communities to transition from traditional and inefficient energy sources to modern, more efficient and sustainable energy solutions. Globally in the Year 2008, the problem of energy access translating into energy poverty lies at the center of human deterioration where in spite of rapid developments in clean energy solutions, 1.1* billion people still live without access to any form of electricity and 2.7* billion people still cook

Inconversation with Sachin Kulkarni, President- Fiserv Global Services, uncovering powerful blend of technology, inclusion, and sustainability transforming communities with measurable, future-ready impact   1. How does Fiserv in India uniquely contribute to the brand’s broader CSR vision, and what makes your approach to CSR distinctive in the financial technology sector?  Fiserv is a global leader in payments and financial technology, enabling money movement for millions of people, businesses, and financial institutions worldwide. Guided by our purpose to move money and information in ways that move the world, we drive innovation that powers the global financial ecosystem. Global Services is Fiserv’s strategic technology hub that builds, scales, and optimizes fintech platforms for clients around the world. At Global Services, our CSR

Maestro of Shehnai and Bansuri – Pandit Rajendra Prasanna in a Soulful Conversation with Vatika Singh, CSR Times In the sacred city of Banaras, where music flows like the Ganga itself, was born a legacy of sound, devotion, and discipline. Carrying forward the glorious tradition of Indian classical music, Pandit Rajendra Prasanna ji is not just a master of the Shehnai and Bansuri, but a torchbearer of a heritage rooted in Riyaz, humility, and spirituality. In this exclusive interview, he reflects on his journey, the timelessness of Indian music, and his hopes for Viksit Bharat 2047. Your musical journey began in Banaras. How did the city and your family tradition inspire you? The atmosphere in my house was naturally musical.

In the evolving landscape of India’s social development, where Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become both a statutory obligation and a moral compass, certain organizations have emerged as catalysts of genuine, sustainable change. Among them, PANKH – an organization whose very name translates to “wings” – has been scripting an inspiring story of grassroots transformation under the leadership of its Founder Director, Surender Kumar. When I, as the host of the CSR Times podcast- “Leading with Impact” engaged with Surender, what stood out was not just his clarity of thought but his pragmatic vision for CSR—an approach that blends empathy with execution, passion with precision. His tagline, “Chalo Kuch Accha Karte Hai!” (Let’s do something good!) encapsulates a philosophy of

We received an overwhelming response to our inaugural episode and thank our audience for the same. In this episode Dr Shabnam Asthana is in conversation with seasoned CSR professional Mr Vijay Kamble, whose name resonates with experience, dedication and impact in the development sector. Mr. Vijay Kamble brings with him over two decades of rich expertise in designing and executing comprehensive CSR strategies that align seamlessly with business vision while driving meaningful social change.   Having worked across diverse industries with a deep understanding of community development, sustainability and social enterprise management, Mr. Kamble has consistently demonstrated how CSR can be a true driver of transformation, both for organisations and for society at large. In this conversation, we explore his

Hosted by Dr. Shabnam Asthana Managing Editor CSR Times The Origin of a Visionary Journey Dr Shabnam Asthana: Let’s begin at the start. What inspired you to establish Spray Engineering Devices Limited? Mr Vivek Verma: My journey was born out of necessity and observation. As a teenager, I watched my father tirelessly run a sugar factory—sometimes working three days without sleep. Despite his dedication, he didn’t receive the recognition he deserved. I realized early on that employment without appreciation isn’t fulfilling. So, I resolved to be an entrepreneur. By the time I graduated, I asked my father to step back and let me take the lead. He became my market developer, and I focused on creating world-class products. That’s how

Education lies at the heart of a nation’s development, it shapes future generations, reduces inequality, and expands workforce/livelihood opportunities contributing to the economy. Yet, ensuring quality education for all, particularly within India’s vast and varied Government school system, remains a challenge. In this exclusive interview with Ms. Ratna Viswanathan, CEO of Reach to Teach, we explore the journey of a former civil servant who transitioned from the corridors of governance to the grassroots of the development sector, and how the transition shaped the mission of Reach to Teach in strengthening learning outcomes in Government school systems.  The interview explores how local culture, context-sensitive solutions and community knowledge are interwoven into curriculum design, the measurable outcomes, and the organisation’s evolving role

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