Make in India- Let the lion roar in rural India with the lioness

For any civilized human being, the word “human” is always gender specific to male. If someone is asked about the evolution of human, he/she thinks about the males only. Apart from the psychological point of view, we in India are lagging behind in basic socio-economic development particularly in women specific issues. If some woman fights for her own rights she has to cross paraphernalia of different boundaries of restriction.

The case is also similar in lion’s cases. Usually it is observed that both Male and female lions live in a large group named a pride with their cubs. The number of lionesses- mostly related, e.g. sisters, aunts, niece etc in a pride can be from two to twenty. This number can vary on the availability of food in the area. In case of scarcity of foods, some females will have to disperse and find another pride. There is no hierarchy among females and no two are likely to be found together more than half the time. 

All female residents know one another and when they meet, the lion greeting ceremony (rubbing and low purring) reaffirms their social ties. If a female shows no self assurance to meet and greet, this sends a signal that it doesn't belong in the pride and is treated as an intruder. Females are mainly the hunters of the pride, while males only hunt when a big kill is involved or the females have not given him a free lunch. The females usually hunt in a group (3 to 8 females) for there is a higher chance of the kill being successful. One theory these sociable cats hunt together is to control exclusive hunting grounds and to share food with relatives.

(Ref: http://lion-den.tripod.com/lioness-and-cub-facts.html)

In India, enacting Schemes and Policies are the emblems of new Governments coming in power. Modi Government has a strong vision to build a strong manufacturing network in India. Empowering MSME sectors is a good thing, but it would be better if it is gender balanced. As our society does not accept the socioeconomic status of women easily, there is a strong need for the women empowerment for the up-liftment of women status. Women-owned businesses make up one of the fastest growing segments of microenterprise in Latin America and the Caribbean, where women own and operate 30-60 percent of such companies, although initially they often face even greater obstacles than their male counterpane in getting credit from formal sources. In India there should be provision for adequate skill development training along with credit support to the women for start up their microenterprise. NRLM in recent past proved the success of women empowerment through SHG-bank linkage and capital investment fund. So we need to encourage the women participants in this context for a sustainable business growth.

Corporate Melodramas

“Ek do teen chaar bandh karo yeh atyachhar”- though seems good to stop someone while giving lecture in a class, but it is never easy in corporate life while your boss is bullied upon you. The comparison between college life and corporate life is just like the relationships between India and Pakistan. After passing out from a college, someone would dream upon new career, new job, new mentor, new desk and of course the vitamin-M. The enthusiasm gradually drops down when he or she gets limited satisfaction over his/her ambition.

One of my friends, who was working in Government sector was very much annoyed upon the work culture of the team. The decision changes like a pendulum with multiple bosses, similarly the assignments also. The domain of job also radically changes with respect to the locations. It is also observed high profiled individuals often have to do low profiled jobs only for satisfying their boss. The boss always gives credits to himself for the good work done by the employees, but alleges the employees if anything are done improper.

My colleague, who was earlier working in an NGO for justifying herself in a social development arena felt a different situation, when her boss questions her while taking leaves for her sister’s marriage. Though she has given her maximum efforts in work, it is her right to take leaves whether paid or unpaid. The reason, cited was very laughable as her colleague, who has taken one month leave for her pregnancy, she has to stay in the office and do her works. Finally she left the NGO and joined a bank.

People often ask why the current generation swaps jobs like ping pong balls. Some answers for better perks, some debates over better profile. But mostly it is found due to the satisfaction issue. I am currently working in an enduring organization (so called). I requested for leaves as my mother had an accident, as a result fracture caused in right ankle. I just informed to my superior to take leaves for ten days for the surgery and post surgery things. Being the only one son, I have to poise the responsibilities. But surprisingly, after returning to office I was burdened over some horrible words “Un-professionalism”, “Never accepted from you”, “Job is first priority”, blah blah blah. I simply could not understand what the definition of professionalism is. If my superior takes leaves as his father-in-law visits or my colleague goes for computer repairing or another colleague goes for honeymoon, the leaves are justified and hold professionalism. The problem is human always does mistakes to see others in his own mirror. For some people, parents are over-aged and taking special care does not mean to their basic priorities. As Einstein said, “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” A person can earn several piles of money, but when he/she looks from the pinnacle of the money mountain the relationship and human societal values become invisible. A prostitute in Vegas can earn ten times than a software engineer in Bangalore. So earning money is not a measure of success. To have a sustainable life one should believe in his behavior, values and responsibilities- not running behind the oasis of money and corporate gimmicks. 

Sone ki Chidiya Dengue Malaria

“Sone ki chidiya dengue, malaria Gud bhi hai gobar bhi Bharat mata ki jai”- the song from Dibakar Banerjee’s Shanghai movie had created many conundrums over the nation for last few days. I don’t wish to argue over the words in this song, but the concern is how we are viewing the issues in our country. Few countries like ours have synonyms- India, Bharat, Hindustan and so on. The current trends of changing of names of cities, states are still going on like Johny Depp’s various costumes in different movies. But two types of India still exist in our nation. 

Formerly we were feeling proud of being a nation having diversities of culture, art, language, and people. And now we are feeling proud of being one of the fastest growing economies in the world. But can we avoid our acumen of perceiving the confronted pictures of slums, poverty, corruption, nepotism and all other linked patois in the eyes ofFirangis?Jargons like GDP, PPP, and HDI are made to energize our curiosity. But are we really seeing the astir picture without wearing goggle of complacence?

http://www.bhainapost.blogspot.in/

Role of Corporate Social Responsibility-

Commitment by Businesses to Improve the Social and Economic Status of Various Stake Holders Involved While Complying With All Legal and Economic Requirements

Corporate social responsibility for a business- these three consecrated words are not only intended to ensure sustainable business in a growing economy but also augment propitious persona in the milieu of social and economical status. I would like to moot different standpoints of CSR activities adopted by several businesses like bolstering the savour in education for the needs, enactment of several practice of Poverty Alleviation , buoying up for community mobilization and community development, environmental sustainability, Agriculture building, Accounting for Climate Change and Carbon Footprint, Social Entrepreneurship. CSR are not only contributing the socio-economical values but also empowers the national building. To bridge the gap for sustainable approach, manoeuvre should be made for the head honchos of businesses for managing the impact on society and its relationships with stakeholders. This is the time for the business to think beyond the ambit and to stagger along a different horizon.

There is a prolonged tradition of business and society as an area of academic study and public policy, but its primary concern has been how to regulate and motivate business so as to contribute more to the public good. In 1979, Caroll contributed a framework that pertains four types of responsibilities as follows:

1. Economic Responsibility- Refers to the fundamental responsibility of business to produce goods and services that society wants and which it sells at a profit.
2. Legal Responsibility- Refers to the obligation of business to fulfil its economic mission within the confines of the law.
3. Ethical Responsibility- Refers to ethical responsibilities of companies that go beyond legal compliance.
4. Discretionary Responsibility- Refers to voluntary responsibilities, such as philanthropy, which a company can assume even if there are no clear cut societal expectations.

CSR is being linked to many of the biggest challenges around the world. These include how we:

• Respond to climate change;
• Address the consequences of globalization
• Uphold international human rights
• Increase justice and equity, especially in the poorest countries
• Fight corruption and poor governance
• Achieve stable and sustainable socio-economic growth

There should be solemn accountability for the businesses to enhance the socio-economic status of the stakeholders in the context of CSR. Many claims are made about how CSR can succour business to have a positive repercussion through its social, environmental, and
economic performance. This repercussion relates to the instrumental benefits of corporate responsibility, i.e. how it affects the financial bottom line. This can be considered as a sign of progress, in that it creates a link between good business management and corporate responsibility, but it can also be a cause for concern if it precludes companies from considering actions for which the business case is weak. It remains an open question for all whether the current understanding of this impact will affect CSR in future. Ultimately what we know about impact will depend on the demand for information and the current situation suggests that the various stakeholders are only beginning to understand what it is they need to know.

Being socially responsible means not only fulfilling legal expectations, but also going beyond compliance and investing more into human capital, the environment and relations with stakeholders (Commission of European Communities, 2004). As Warhust (2001) points out, the three major elements of CSR are product use which focuses on contribution of industrial products which help in well being and quality of life of the society, business practice which focuses on good corporate governance and gives high impetus for the environmental well being and equity which tries for distribution of profits equitably across different societies especially the host community.

The new Companies Bill, passed in the Lok Sabha in December 2012, made it mandatory for firms to report on how much they spend on CSR every year. If companies spend less than 2% of their average net profit over the last three years, they are required to explain the reasons. India is the first nation in the world to frame such legislation. 

According to Abhishek Humbad, co-founder of sustainability management firm NextGen, one of the partners in the seminar: "In order to realise the full potential of Clause-135, the companies need to innovate and evolve new areas intervention like social entrepreneurship, startup incubation, social business models etc. and develop new methods of delivery. Greater collaboration and greater use of technology will play a critical role in the success of Clause-135."

Refer:  http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-company/corporate-trends/civil-societies-to-play-crucial-role-in-csr-agenda/articleshow/21685334.cms


The intensive repertoire of globalization are pertaining most business operations and this also brings opportunities and risk as well. In the meantime the challenge for the business world should be focussing on how they can create wealth or value benefits from alternative approaches which, in parallel, will contribute proactively and responsibly to the wider agenda and to real sustainable outcomes.