IIFT Corporate Social Responsibility club initiates girl child education program

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) on July 10, 2009, initiated a girl child education program under which it gave away books and stationary to 100 meritorious girl students from different Delhi schools as a token of appreciation and encouragement. The IIFT social responsibility club Koshish, which initiated the program, plans to organize more such events in future. Delegates from different NGOs and the corporate world shared their experiences with the audience at the event. Educational videos on rain water harvesting and saving electricity were also aired at the program held at the IIFT Auditorium. According to the MBA institute, the program is an example of the increased emphasis that is placed on Corporate Social Responsibility activities as a part of management education.

While explaining that increased emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility helps in grooming more balanced managers, KT Chacko, Director of IIFT said, Regions with higher girl literacy rate like North East and Kerala do well in the Human Development Index (HDI), regions like rural MP which trail behind in HDI do not do well in girl education.

Saroj Sagar, President of Rotary Club said, Women empowerment and hence girl education is at the root of all problems in India. She also said that Rotary Club will continue its association with IIFT in field of Corporate Social Responsibility like organizing the annual blood donation camps. Kumud Bhargava, President Innerwheel said that the girl child education initiative by the IIFT was a welcome move and spoke at length about the concerns and dangers of plastic use.

Matthew Cherian, CEO Helpage India, in his presentation pointed out towards the corporate worlds glossy and hollow Corporate Social Responsibility activities. He said, The corporate world should now move to the real agenda. As individuals have responsibilities, in the same manner companies should also have responsibilities. Therefore, Corporate Responsibility should replace Corporate Social Responsibility . We should focus our efforts on saving our planet from climate change effects. People, Profit and Planet must be the combined focus of todays corporate world.

Speaking on Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, Deepak Dobriyal from Cognizant emphasized on how small steps at informal levels go a long way in addressing the societys problems. He said that the heavily publicized Corporate Social Responsibility efforts mainly focus on creating publicity. He praised IIFTs efforts towards encouraging girl child education, and also discussed with students how Cognizant has a Go Green Team that specifically looks to address environmental and climate change issues.