Meeting on “Corporate Social Responsibililty” by Ms. Zelma Lazarus, CEO, Impact India Foundation, held on Friday, 28th September 2012 at 6.00 p.m. at YWCA, Lady Wellingdon Hostel, Conference Hall, Ground Floor, 18, Madam Cama Road, Fort, Mumbai.

Mrs. Homai Mehta introduced Zelma, who was the co-founder of NIPS (now IASAP). Zelma needs no introduction – there are old members and also members who were not with us when we were known as NIPS.

All the achievements she has made during her life time so far is amazing. An individual who is as ordinary as we all are has done extraordinary work. She was the Secretary to the then CEO, Mr. Talyarkhan of Voltas and from there went on to achieve so much. Right now she is CEO, Impact India Foundation. This Foundation is known best for the Life Line Express – the train that brings high quality medical care to the poor and needy of our country. It is run on voluntary donations. The medical doctors and other staff are all volunteers. She has been the first Asian woman put on the International Public Relations Association. The First Braille typewriter in India was introduced by her.

The first Life Line Express left the VT station in 1991. This is an example in corporate social responsibility which many of us and our organisations can take up as a project. If you are efficient at your work place, the same will apply to your home and wherever you go or in whatever you do.

Zelma Lazarus :

Once again I am humbled. I cannot tell you how happy I am. I will speak to you of the importance of social responsibility not only to your company but to you as the Secretary in charge.

I go back to 41 years ago, August 1971 when I addressed the first batch of Secretaries at NIPS. We have all come a long way. I am proud of this wonderful organization. I addressed the Secretaries of the USA. I was startled in those days when they asked whether I had heard of a computer. But women have been in the forefront throughout Indian history. I went on to explain that wearing a sari may seem paradoxical to the Americans but it was symbolic to India as it represented emancipation of women.

What is CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)? It is contributing to improving the quality of life of the community by participating actively in the community. We all know about public and private participation. It gives you the positive and negative aspects of the Company. The Corporate companies cannot function in isolation from the community. Having a social vision is integral for the success of the business mission. Government likes Corporates who practice CSR. It has immense long term public relations benefits apart from the value of the sponsored project. It is very easy to provide funds but very difficult to make time and volunteer.

Most of the senior secretaries because of their training, knowledge and experience are better able to intellectually assume responsibility. A secretary has the power to goad her boss to adopt CSR by action, when needed.

CSR is giving of yourself for making a better world for other people. It is felt that each one of us can become a tool to encourage our company to support the NGO. We can act as a catalyst to work on mass welfare projects.

Qualified professionals will want to work for a company that not only provides value-added products that improve the quality of life but also has a commitment to social development. Customers show preference for doing business with organizations that are environment-conscious and socially driven. Shareholders invest in companies that demonstrate their social responsibility.

A short video on CSR followed the talk by Zelma.

Ms. Neelam (who had accompanied Zelma) said that Life Line Express has gone on to create history. It has drawn the attention of countries like China, Africa, Bangladesh and Cambodia as well.

Impact India brings together the Corporate sector, NGOs and other civil society organizations to work in partnership with the Government in mass health programmes of National priority. In Thane district a project has been undertaken. It is a big uphill task. There is a high rate of infant and maternal mortality. We do not believe in creating parallel entity. We work with the Government e.g. immunization of children. It is a Government programme. The date is announced for immunization, but people do not come forth. So here is where Impact steps in to tell people that it is a priority for their children and they go to houses and persuade people that if they want to see their children without disability, then they should avail the benefits of this programme. This is our challenge.

This talk was followed by presentations on the 21st Congress held at Dhaka. Gracy Lee, Vimla D’souza and Ruby Vatcha gave a synopsis of the Congress. Detailed articles will follow in the newsletter.

-Ratty Nadirshaw Engineer