Events

S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) hosted the Pan India Symposiums 2023 Edition IX, organised by HCLTech India Grant in collaboration with CSRBOX as the academic partner. The Symposium brought together industry leaders, policymakers, academicians, and change-makers for engaging panel discussions, workshops, and presentations on promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in India through G20 cooperation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. HCLTech Grant is HCL Foundation’s CSR initiative to strengthen and empower NGOs, which have evolved as crucial agents of change and play a decisive role in building a future-ready nation.

In his welcome address, SPJIMR Dean Varun Nagaraj elaborated on how the institute’s teaching, research and direct community-engagement activities deeply resonated with the Symposium’s objectives and vision of of sustainability. He highlighted various SPJIMR initiatives, including the Wise Innovation Foundation course, the Postgraduate Programme in Development Management (PGPDM), DoCC rural internships and the Abhyudaya NGO, to reinforce SPJIMR’s commitment to fostering responsible leadership for positive impact on society.

Sundar Mahalingam, President of Strategy at HCL Corporation and Shiv Nadar Foundation, in his address, shared the evolution of HCL Foundation and its purpose. He explained the significance of his Foundation’s work in various thematic areas, including Environment, Health, and Education and commented, “HCL Foundation’s CSR initiatives demonstrate our commitment to creating sustainable impact in society. We are grateful to SPJIMR for providing this platform to share our experiences and drive collective efforts towards community development. Applying for the HCLTech Grant demonstrates the alignment towards their cause and is the first step to recognise the organisations working for people and their upliftment.”

SPJIMR DoCC Director Chandrika Parmar spoke about perceptive grants and emphasised, “Let the work drive the funds and not the funds drive the work”. She was part of the panel discussion on “Promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in India through G20 cooperation and CSR efforts” which featured panellists Milllind Arolkar, Director, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, Hemant Gupta, Head, BSE Social Stock Exchange, MD BIL Ryerson Technology Start-up Incubator Foundation, Siji Varghese, CEO, Leaders in Lipstick. Prof. Parmar reiterated  SPJIMR efforts and said ” We see civil society organisations as educators who teach our students about larger issues of society. This enables our students to think beyond self and wealth-creation and work towards a sustainable future to include those at the margins.”

To know more, watch the Symposium live stream.