SIAM hosts the 6th Annual CSR Conclave themed on “CSR Rewired: Post Covid 19 Scenario”

New Delhi, 21^st July 2022: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex automotive industry body today organized its 6^th Annual CSR Conclave, themed on “CSR Rewired: Post Covid 19 Scenario”. The conclave highlighted varied perspectives on Health & Sanitation, Skills development, Road Safety, and Environmental rejuvenation. For this year, there is an emphasis on sharing of best practices & learnings from the various CSR interventions by the Indian Automobile Industry in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The conclave witnessed the participation of key industry leaders speaking on the inclusive development of the society, while protecting the ecology.

Initiating the inaugural session, Mr. Sushant Naik, Chairman, SIAM CSR Group, Global Head- Government Affairs, Tata Motors, said, “We hope this conclave makes an impactful difference in the lives of our countrymen. We as an industry are committed to giving back to society and carrying forward the government’s efforts of ‘Amrit Kaal’. We are certain that the active support of our progressive Government shall take our country to new heights. Also, discussing mental well-being is a need of the hour considering the post covid world that we are living in.”

Assuring the Government of India’s willing and active partnership with the Auto Industry towards strengthening the CSR initiatives, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Hon’ble Minister of Heavy Industries, Government of India, said, “The Indian Automobile Industry has been a major contributor to the economy and the society as it holds a major share in the GDP.  Looking forward, in the PLI scheme the government is providing economic support of about Rs. 25,000 crorers. to the industry. All OEMs’ have played a huge role in helping society through their CSR initiatives, including during the COVID pandemic. Going forward, the industry should focus more on labourers and small technicians, work more closely with NGOs, strengthen their focus on Health, Safety, Environment, and Skilling initiatives, share its experiences so that the larger community can learn, and lastly, the industry must think big but implement locally. Local communities in the neighbourhood of Auto Factories must get benefited.”

Moderating the session, Mr. Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM, said, “The whole focus of this conclave is to learn and share best practices through peer learning and to understand the various CSR interventions by the automobile industry. We have been hosting this conclave for the last 6 years broadly focusing on health and sanitation, skills development, road safety and environmental rejuvenation.”

In the keynote address, Dr. R A Mashelkar, an Eminent Scientist, presented his perspective on CSR 2.0 and talked about four new pillars of CSR in the present world. He also highlighted the Power of CSR and Gandhian engineering.

The virtual conclave was divided into three sessions. 1^st session was themed on “New Approach to CSR and Learnings”. With presentations from Honda Cars India, Ashok Leyland, MG Motors India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Hyundai Motor India and TATA Motors.

The 2^nd Session started with a panel discussion on “Skills Development through CSR Initiatives” eminent panelists like Mr. Rama Shankar Pandey, Managing Director, Hella India Lighting, Mr. Niraj Hans, Chief Operating Officer (Automotives), Sandhar Technologies, and Mr. Apurv Choubey, Chief Human Resource Officer, Bridgestone India. The session was moderated by Mr. Arindam Lahiri, CEO, Automotive Skills Development Council.

Taking a session on Mental Wellbeing, Sister B K Shivani, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization, emphasized on inner peace and also imparting clarity in moving toward a peaceful and healthy mind. Sister also talked about the need to eat right and have a healthy lifestyle post the pandemic which makes us strong from the inside.

The event concluded with the presentation of SIAM CSR Awards 2022.