A training workshop on Planning, Executing and Managing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Projects was hosted by Department of Social Work at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Coimbatore campus from January 29 – 31, 2014 in association with the Shanti Ashram, a Gandhian community development organization.

More than 55 delegates from South India attended the training workshop. The delegates from academia and voluntary organizations discussed the concept, trends, methodologies and examples of CSR projects and provided training in the area of planning, executing and managing of projects.

Addressing the delegates during the inaugural ceremony, Founder & Director of Prerana and Adjunct Professor, Department of Social Work, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Dr. Praveen Patkar shared valuable thoughts on social worker’s expectations. “Business has to be more sensitive and cooperative towards their social, economical and political environment,” he remarked.

A special address on social responsibility was delivered by K. Ilango, Vice Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Coimbatore Chapter. He appreciated Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham for its noble mission. “Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is the best place to understand the social responsibilities, which is built on principles,” he noted.

“Each and every citizen should be aware of their social responsibility and ensure their role as guardian to develop India as a progressed Nation,” he added.

Another noteworthy address on the CSR activity in Global and Indian context was conveyed by Retd. Wing Commander and General Manager, Corporate & Industry Relations, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham A. Balachandran. “In the present scenario, CSR is not only a charity donation, but has grown to educational activity, workforce development, community development and environment development,” he expressed.

Expert discussions, presentations and report writing marked the rest of the training activities.

Dr. Vino Aram, Director, Shanti Ashram, discussed on the topic, Social Responsibility: Lenses &Evolution of Practice. He explained the define concepts of Citizen Responsibility and Gandhian values & messages. “This is the second workshop of Shanti Ashram in the series of four. Around 200 graduates will get benefited from these workshops and they will contribute CSR work in this city and beyond,” she noted.

Elaborating on the topic, India @ a Glance, Subramanian S. R. of Shanti Ashram presented the current statistical appraisal of achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in India and it helped identify areas of development required.

Shobhana Madhavan, Associate Professor, Amrita School of Business, shared her views about the role of culture and challenges in a social worker’s profession. Jeeva, Chartered Accountant and Arputhasamy Devaraj, Raja, Mercy Rachel, Krishna Moorthy, fraternities from Shanti Ashram were also present on the workshop.

The participants visited Larson & Turbo, CRI Pumps and Shanti Ashram’s corporate supported projects. They interacted with the stake holders and beneficiaries of CSR projects and prepared reports.

The workshop also had experience sharing session of people from industry and voluntary organization, where they discussed about the successful CSR projects from corporate such as PEPSI, CRI Pumps and Taj Group.

“Sessions were really useful and gained skills as a social worker. I am more conscious and aware about the culture prevailing in corporate sector,” shared Himanshu, final-year student of MSW from the Coimbatore campus.

“First of all I sincerely thank Amrita for the collaboration. I found it immensely satisfying and joyful. Let our fellowship and collaboration grow further to enable hundreds of budding social work professionals and NGO functionaries,” rejoiced Arputhasamy Devaraj, Head of Bala Shanti Program, Shanti Ashram, Coimbatore.

February 2, 2014
Department of Social Work, Coimbatore