News18 Odia brings to the fore the importance of CSR initiatives with CSR Conclave

The pandemic affected the lives of all. During these difficult times leading business groups, manufacturing facilities, industries and corporates in Odisha, came forward to integrate social and environmental concerns, by raising their CSR activities and successfully reaching out to help the people of the state, thus instrumental in providing the required support to the state government. The various CSR activities built around assisting the health & wellness, education, sanitation sector, by the small and big corporates in Odisha, helped the state to stand tall ahead of many others in CSR activities, especially during COVID times. To commemorate their commendable work News18 Odia, held a CSR Conclave bringing together experts and professionals from various corporate houses to share and showcase their different and successful CSR initiatives taken in the state. The CSR conclave, held on 17^th December in the state capital of Bhubaneswar, will be shown on the channel in a special telecast on 25^th December at 9.30 p.m.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

The conclave hosted a plenary session wherein the panellists -- Mr. Tapan Kumar Chand — President - Vedant, Odisha-Chhatisgarh and Former CMD, NALCO; Mr. Santosh Mohapatra — Ex CEO, Dhamara Port Trust, Mr. Ashok Behera —Vice President, Banshidhar Panda and Ila Panda Foundation, Mr. Ambika Prasad Nanda — CSR Head-Odisha, TATA Steel and Mr. Rajeev Sahoo, Senior Charted Accountant, discussed the topic - CSR: Implementation and Challenges. Also attending the News18 Odia CSR Conclave 2021 were Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister and WODC Chairman, Mr. Asit Tripathy and Mr. Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister for Science and Technology.

CSR is not only a social obligation, but now a legal responsibility and in comparison, to the past, Corporates and Industrial bodies are now more aware and sincere towards their social responsibilities, said Mr. Asit Tripathy. Adding to this, Mr. Ashok Chandra Panda opined that the arena of CSR is widespread, and all must work with positivity so that the objectives are achieved. He was all praise for the role played by corporates during the Pandemic.

Mr. Dayanidhi Dash, Senior Editor, News 18 Odia, opened the session by saying conclaves such as this will help to prepare the roadmap for CSR activities in Odisha.

News18 Odia also felicitated PPL, Hitech Medical College and Hospital, IMFA, JSPL, OHPCL for their achievements in CSR activities in Odisha.