Latest news with #Anand
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
ICS 2025: Corporate Social Responsibility as a Force for National Progress
Corporate social responsibility in India is undergoing a profound transformation, as revealed during an insightful fireside chat at the India Communication Summit 2025. The session, "Purpose in Practice: Building Authentic Social Impact Narratives ," brought together industry leaders who are redefining how businesses create meaningful societal impact. The conversation featured Puneet Anand, AVP and Vertical Head of Corporate Affairs, Corporate Communication and Social at Hyundai Motor India , alongside Ravi Bhatnagar, Director of External Affairs and Partnerships at Reckitt – South Asia. The session was moderated by Anirban Roy Choudhury, Senior Associate Editor & Lead, Product, who guided the discussion through strategies that elevate CSR from obligation to opportunity. Throughout the dialogue, Anand emphasized how authentic community engagement contributes to national progress, noting that CSR initiatives can play a crucial role in building a more developed India. His perspective highlighted the potential for businesses to drive societal advancement through strategic social initiatives. Hyundai structures its community programs around three foundational pillars: earth, mobility, and hope. Their "Be the Better Guy" road safety campaign stands as a testament to long-term commitment. Launched in 2016, this initiative partners with state governments to address India's road safety challenges through awareness programs and technological solutions. Strategic collaboration emerged as a recurring theme when Bhatnagar stressed the importance of selecting the right partners and rapidly scaling successful programs. This collaborative approach has enabled both organizations to maximize their impact across diverse sectors and regions throughout India. The discussion revealed how innovation drives effective CSR, as illustrated by Hyundai's telemedicine program. With 55 centers established across 11 states, the initiative has dramatically improved healthcare accessibility while reducing costs for rural communities – demonstrating how corporate resources can solve critical infrastructure gaps. Reckitt's nutrition intervention program showcased similar strategic thinking. By focusing on the crucial first 1,000 days of motherhood and employing culturally resonant communication, they've successfully addressed malnutrition challenges in aspirational districts across the country. Community empowerment took center stage when Anand discussed "Art for Hope," an initiative providing rural artisans – including those with disabilities – platforms to showcase their talents globally. This program illustrates how CSR can preserve cultural heritage while creating economic opportunities for marginalized communities. Both leaders emphasized that meaningful social impact requires patience, authenticity, and measurable outcomes. Their experiences reveal a fundamental shift in corporate mindset – from viewing CSR as compliance to embracing it as a strategic opportunity for creating shared value. To conclude, the session presented practical insights into how corporations can become genuine catalysts for societal transformation, contributing meaningfully to national development while building deeper community connections that extend well beyond traditional business boundaries.
Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Today in Politics: Ahilyabai Holkar's 300th birth anniversary top on day's agenda
In recent years, the birth anniversary of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, an 18th-century Maratha queen with massive social and religious contributions, has become an integral part of the Indian political calendar. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will head to Bhopal to celebrate Ahilyabai's 300th birth anniversary. He will attend a women's empowerment event, called the 'Mahila Sashaktikaran Maha Sammelan', at the city's Jamburi Maidan, where he will release a postage stamp and commemorative coin in honour of the queen and hand over the National Devi Ahilyabai Award to an artist who has made a significant contribution to tribal, folk and traditional arts. Modi is also scheduled to visit an exhibition based on good governance, women's empowerment, and the cultural contributions of Devi Ahilyabai. The PM will also virtually lay the foundation stone of various projects and inaugurate the Super Priority Corridor of Indore Metro, and airports in Datia and Satna, apart from performing a virtual 'bhoomi pujan' of ghats to be built on the Kshipra river as part of the preparations for Simhastha Kumbh Mela in 2028. As Anand Mohan J reported this week, this celebration of Ahilyabai in Madhya Pradesh, overseen by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, began eight months ago in September 2024 and is one of the most comprehensive campaigns undertaken in the state. It has spanned multiple cities and initiatives and has 'elevated Ahilyabai from a historically revered figure to the centrepiece of politics in Madhya Pradesh'. An expert told Anand that the state had not seen such a large-scale celebration of a religious icon at the government level earlier. The campaign has allowed Yadav to link Ahilyabai's story to the development work and women's empowerment schemes of his own government. 'Ahilyabai's place in the Hindutva pantheon is an additional bonus for the first-time CM, who is seeking to consolidate his position in the state's politics,' Anand writes. Not just the Prime Minister, Opposition leaders such as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, and Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav may also be seen sharing the stage at an event in Delhi to mark Ahilyabai's birth anniversary. The event has been organised by former BJP ally and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha founder Mahadev Jankar. Jankar was a minister in the BJP-led Maharashtra government from 2016 to 2019. However, after being overlooked for the Assembly elections last year, he struck off on his own and floated his political outfit. Jankar is from the Dhangar community, It is said that the Holkar dynasty also traces its roots to the community. The Dhangars have a sizable presence in Lok Sabha constituencies such as Solapur, Sangli, Baramati, Parbhani, and Satara in Maharashtra and are believed to wield enough clout to influence results in 25-30 Assembly seats, according to some estimates. Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai will inaugurate the Allahabad High Court advocates' chambers and multilevel parking building. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, seven Supreme Court judges, Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court Arun Bhansali, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will attend the programme that is scheduled to begin at 10 am.
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Bengaluru residents fume as civic body ignores court stay on stadium work at Victory Grounds
Bengaluru: "A ground where I once played basketball every evening has now turned into a construction zone," says Anand Ramachandran, a long-time resident of Indiranagar, voicing the growing anger in the neighbourhood as BBMP presses ahead with the construction of an indoor stadium at Victory Grounds despite a court-ordered stay issued on May 29. Anand, 38, who grew up next to the ground, recalls how it was once a thriving hub of community sports. "I've lived here since I was eight. The basketball and cricket games we played here brought together people from across the area. Many of us even went on to represent the state and national teams. The court was open to everyone. What it needed was changing rooms and toilets — not a complete overhaul," he says. "With building an indoor stadium, there is going to be a lot of discrimination in who will come and play here. The basketball stadium takes up most of the place, and there is little space for cricket and football. Making it an indoor stadium will change the dynamics of the court, and it will lose its value," he adds. Another resident, Shany Sunny, says, "We don't want to lose this ground. I was born and raised here. I played here, and now I take my kids here for cycling. This is the only open space for children and families. It's a public space, not a parking lot." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologista recomenda: simples truque elimina o fungo facilmente Acabe com o Fungo Undo Recalling her memories, Shany says, "There were times we would all sit and watch inter-college basketball matches here. We came here to learn cycling, play hopscotch, and other games. Imagining it being gone is unacceptable." The civic body plans to convert the open playground in Indiranagar I Stage into an indoor stadium with a tensile roof, at an estimated cost of Rs 6.5 crore. The stadium is also expected to include a car parking facility — a move residents say will not only eat into the playground but also permanently alter its character. "This is the only free and open ground in I Stage and II Stage. Why can't BBMP spend the same money on its upkeep instead of turning it into something exclusive and inaccessible?" asks Sneha Nandihal, a resident. "Though there is a stay from the court, BBMP continues to do construction work, which is appalling." Residents also complain that earthmovers have arrived, approach roads are dug up, and construction material has been dumped at the site. "This place has a history. It was never just about basketball or cricket — it was about community. Turning it into an indoor stadium will destroy that spirit," says Nandihal.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'One step at a time': Canada's new foreign minister on rebuilding ties with India
Anita Ananda (File photo) Canada's new foreign affairs minister Anita Anand said on Thursday (local time) that the country's new government is taking "one step at a time" to rebuild the relationship with India. The Canada-India ties suffered a major rupture in September, 2023, when Canada's then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of a role in the murder in June that year of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Canadian national was a designated Khalistani terrorist in India. India has denied the allegation. 'We are certainly taking it one step at a time. As I mentioned, the rule of law will never be compromised, and there is an ongoing investigation regarding the case that you mentioned,' Anand told The Globe And Mail, referring to the Nijjar murder. 'At the same time, we are looking forward to continuing to build this partnership, and we're looking forward to that as a government. It's part of the process of diversifying our relationships and building relationships around the world," she added. The Oakville East MP's remarks come days after her May 25 phone call with Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Asked if she believes that the call is the beginning of a process that would lead to the exchange of high commissioners between India and Canada, Anand replied that Canada is approaching the relationship "incrementally." Canada's and India's ambassador-level posts in each other's capitals remain vacant nearly two years into the diplomatic face-off. Mark Carney, who succeeded Trudeau as Canada's prime minister in March, called a snap federal election in April. In the election, which was to be held by October, Carney led the Liberal Party to victory . The Liberal Party has been in power in Canada since 2015.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'One Step At A Time': Canada Foreign Minister Anita Anand Says India Ties Will Be Repaired
Last Updated: India-Canada ties hit an all-time low during Justin Trudeau's tenure after he accused India of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Days after her telephonic conversation with Dr S Jaishankar, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Thursday (local time) said that Ottawa looks forward to rebuilding its ruptured ties with New Delhi and it is taking 'one step at a time" in that direction, according to a report. Mentioning the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023 – the blame of which was brazenly put on India by then prime minister Justin Trudeau, leading to India-Canada ties hitting an all-time low – Anand said that while the investigation into the case is underway, the Mark Carney government aims to rebuild a partnership with the Modi government. The India-Canada ties suffered a major blow in September 2023, when Trudeau accused India of playing a role in the killing of the Khalistani terrorist, who was a Canadian citizen. He claimed that he had 'credible allegations" of the involvement of Indian government officials in Nijjar's death. India denied the baseless allegations. These tensions led to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats, a freeze on trade negotiations, among other steps. Around 20 months since this diplomatic fallout, the ambassador-level posts in each other's nations still remain vacant. Anand spoke to her Indian counterpart, Jaishankar, on Sunday and discussed 'strengthening Canada-India ties". When asked if she believed that the conversation would lead to the appointment of new high commissioners between the two countries, Anand said that they are taking 'one step at a time". 'We are certainly taking it one step at a time. As I mentioned, the rule of law will never be compromised, and there is an ongoing investigation regarding the case that you mentioned," she said in an interview, while referring to Nijjar's murder, The Globe And Mail reported. 'At the same time, we are looking forward to continuing to build this partnership, and we're looking forward to that as a government – it's not just me. It's part of the process of diversifying our relationships and building relationships around the world," the Foreign Minister added, indicating the country's efforts to diversify trade away from the United States – which has threatened Canada's sovereignty under President Donald Trump. According to Goldy Hyder, president of the Business Council of Canada, India is important to Canada's economic interests. He said that he plans to travel to India in July to set the stage to prepare for a bigger business trade delegation, which could take place either this fall or early next year, The Globe And Mail reported. 'You can't have an Indo-Canadian strategy without the Indo, and at some point in time, a mature democracy dealing with another mature democracy finds a way to deal with difficult situations," he said. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 30, 2025, 09:26 IST
