New Delhi, 3 May (HS): The CSC CSR Conclave 2025 represented a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of inclusive growth and rural empowerment, emphasizing technology as a catalyst for social change.
Inaugurated by Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the event underscored the pivotal role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in uniting urban and rural communities via Common Services Centres (CSCs). Tiwari articulated that CSCs embody innovative solutions to bridge the urban-rural divide, facilitating sustainable development through rural empowerment.
He acknowledged CSCs’ significant contributions to enhancing India’s social capital, which align with the Prime Minister’s vision of rural digital empowerment. Furthermore, he recognized the role of the CSC Academy in promoting CSR initiatives, particularly in vocational training and digital outreach for rural areas, commending its alignment with national initiatives like the PM Vishwakarma Yojana.
Hosted by the CSC Academy and the Indian ESG Network, the Conclave convened leaders from various sectors to explore CSR’s potential in driving environmental sustainability, community progression, and impactful change in rural contexts. In his keynote address, Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, Chairman and Secretary of CSC Academy, articulated CSCs’ transformative influence. He depicted them as not just digital resources but as change agents led by Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), who uplift their communities. Rakesh emphasized that CSR transcends statutory obligations, serving as a strategic lever for driving inclusive growth aimed at reaching marginalized rural demographics.
Dr. Biswajit Saha, Director (Training & Skill Education) at CBSE, emphasized the importance of CSC Academy in equipping the youth for upcoming challenges in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Healthcare. The event included expert-led discussions on the synergies among CSR, environmental sustainability, and community development, focusing on crucial issues like education, skilling, digital literacy, financial inclusion, women empowerment, and healthcare.
Prominent speakers at the Conclave included Abhishek Gupta from UNICEF, who presented the Passport to Earning initiative, and Parnal Vats of VISA, who discussed the Digital Village initiative. Other key figures included Geetanjali Gaur from Kyndryl and Rajiv Malik, CEO of Graposs Connect, who highlighted the CSC Olympiad initiative.
The event featured panels led by experts. The Education, Skilling, and Employability panel, chaired by Sunil Dahiya of the Wadhwani Foundation, included insights from Raj Kumar Srivastava (IFS, Karnataka) and Pallav Tiwari (UNICEF). Another panel focused on Women and Child Healthcare, chaired by Dr. Vashima Subha of Ernst & Young, featuring professionals like Punit Desai (Welcome Cure) and Dr. Yogesh Patil (Biosense).
The Conclave concluded with a strong commitment to leverage CSR for rural transformation, with CSC Academy pledging to empower rural India through digital inclusion, skill-based education, and collaborations between public and private sectors, highlighting the need for cross-sector cooperation to foster a sustainable and inclusive future for everyone.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
