CSR Times Podcast – Leading with Impact with CSR Expert Mr Vijay Kamble

 VK (Vijay Kamble): I’m from Mumbai. I completed my master’s from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. I did my entrepreneurship development programme from Mumbai also.  I entered in the development sector, specifically in CSR domain.

I started my journey with Ambuja Cement Foundation. Previously, I was working with also the JHW Steel, JHW Energy. I have seen and I have observed so many issues across the country, and we have designed different kinds of CSR strategies.

We directly supported and helped the company as well as any kind of manufacturing unit. My experience, my knowledge and my education tremendously helped me to shape up the entire project, entire company approach, entire company vision for CSR.

SA (Shabnam Asthana):  We are very happy to learn about your two decades of rich experience in the development sector, your academic foundation from TISS to your PG Diploma in Social Enterprise Management,

1. how has it shaped your deep commitment to social development?

1. As you look ahead, how do you envision aligning your CSR expertise with your future career growth?

VK:  I have learned so many tools and techniques, which serves as the blueprint for me as a CSR development professional. By using that learning and that understanding I shape my perspective towards being a holistic perspective based on my education, and that is how I entered the CSR domain. I have adopted the tools and techniques I learnt from TISS.

By using this learning, I was able to successfully address and resolve some alarming issues in the company. My education came in handy while resolving several problems in society related to the CSR domain.

SA:  At this current stage of your career what are your plans for your future? Are you open to new positions, to new challenges? And if so, what would you be open to accepting?

VK: I have seen that in India, CSR is a different and unique industry that needs professionals like us.  I believe that I will definitely help thousands of companies in the CSR domain, by helping them plan systematic programmes, they could definitely plan systematic budgets, and plan how to address and tackle various CSR issues.

These issues may be connected with the company, they might be connected with the society, or they might be connected with the nation. So, through my intervention, understanding, experience, and  my expertise, I could definitely support more and more companies in their CSR domain, ESG domain, sustainability domain.

SA: Very interesting!   I am sure most of the companies and the decision makers who are listening to this would love to connect with you and talk to you to see how you could contribute. You have led a range of transformative initiatives. Could you share one project that is especially close to your heart and why?

VK: There was one project we started last year. It was one of the livelihood projects we initiated for disabled people. We have found that in one village there is a huge disabled population and they are most neglected. They are also the most reluctant to accept any government schemes.

So, after we started one livelihood project and we have connected with so many people who are disabled.  Through our livelihood project, we have supported thousands of the people in their micro enterprises. Including those who are mentally retarded, those who are physically challenged people, those who are visually impacted people.

This created a huge impact on the community and the disabled. This is a project which is very close to my heart and I always encouraged my company to engage disabled people and offer them livelihood support.

SA : That’s very interesting. And I do know, in fact all of us know that an amount and a budget are always allocated by corporates for CSR activities. could you enlighten us as to how the CSR programmes and budgets are designed? And do they serve the intended purpose or miss the mark? Your personal views please ….

VK: When I connected with many companies for their CSR domain, I noticed last year, that approximately 26,000 crore rupees was spent across the India for CSR only. So, this is a huge budget.

But in ground reality, it was a very different kind of situation. I have seen when the company connected directly with the people, directly with the community, directly with the stakeholder, that planning of the budget is very meticulous and very focused. When the company takes support from the community, they execute the CSR budget very nicely.

We have seen the thousands of companies connected with various types of intervention. And the entire intervention rolled out under the section 7, 135 section 7. So, when the budget is designed with the cooperation, with the support of our stakeholders, and with the community, it will be helpful for the company. And one of the biggest challenges for any company is to spend 100% of the CSR budget because it is mandatory for the MCA instead of corporate affairs.

But there is no system for the society and the community to utilize the entire budget. A person like me  can  guide the company very meticulously on how to allocate and design the budget.  Based on my experience direct communication with the management and the stakeholders helps design and allocate the CSR budget.

SA: Very interesting. I will now veer towards the next section.

This is something which is a little linked with the personal.  I have seen your LinkedIn posts and I was very happy to see, being a fitness enthusiast myself, that in one of your posts, you are encouraging people for morning walks and how they can bond with nature. So, you come across as a fitness person. And fitness, an alert state of mind, good physical health makes you a successful professional is my strong belief. So, if I remember right, you had mentioned that you would be happy to start a morning fitness club for professionals. So, is that still on? And what thought has gone behind this activity?

VK: Basically, it is my personal initiative. I am a person who is quite connected with personal fitness. And I use my social network, my Facebook network, my LinkedIn network, to connect on this issue.

 I appeal to people to connect with me for the morning walk session. Many people are already connected and we have formed a fitness club online. And those who are interested, they can join me.

And the beauty of this is that so many people are largely benefited by the morning walk session. I speak with them all about fitness and diet plans.  I always motivate people to connect with me for morning walks.

All of us see so many ups and downs in our professional and personal lives and morning walks serve a supportive purpose where we talk and encourage and motivate each other. It also boosts personal and professional productivity and improves communication.

This activity is totally voluntary and they can send a message to me and connect.

SA: Apart from fitness, what are the other personal values which guide you in your professional journey?

VK: I believe that education is the one of the most important tools that is instrumental in changing the life of any person. People must constantly upgrade their learning and education to remain motivated.

SA: For young professionals who are looking up to you as a source of inspiration and who want to step into the world of CSR, what is the advice that you will offer them?

VK:  CSR is a vital part of business. Any new professional, must believe in the company and trust the management. They must believe in the business. If we take care of the business, the entire business will take care of our growth and our development. This one thing I love to share.

Newcomers, must also learn the use of AI tools in the CSR domain.

If you run only after money, you will not learn.

SA: These days, CSR is not only limited to donations or social work, but it is also considered to be a part of the company’s strategy and brand value. How do you see this change?

VK: Definitely madam, this change is happening all across the world. People can work in collaboration and should do so. Government schemes, government projects, different schemes should see active participation.
Because the government has a lot of budgets, but they still lack a proper system. And the professional way of working is with the CSR professionals. So, when these CSR professionals get involved in the collaboration with the government, with the NGO, then jointly we can create a big impact on the whole country, and the whole world.

SA: I am prompted to ask you, what is that one dream CSR project that you have and that you are just waiting for it to happen and for you to execute?

VK: It was a project called Quality Education. In Maharashtra, I have seen so many pathetic conditions for quality education and across India too.  The government was also struggling to implement the project.  I wanted to collaborate with the government scheme on quality education. I was trying to explain that if I could get support and I could connect it with the system, that we could do the very high-tech schools, which is the Zilla Prasad schools.

We could build the infrastructure just like the world-class infrastructure of government schools. And we could provide so many beautiful projects in government schools. This is one of the projects I was thinking about.

SA:  I’m sure it will happen because if there is passion and dedication, things materialize. We wish you good luck for that. My next question to you is, if you had to distil your vision for CSR in one sentence, what would it be?

VK: My vision is to support more and more companies in their CSR activities. Basically, I have very clear-cut goal in my life, that is  to work with companies for their CSR with the help of the government and other departments.

SA: That’s very noble and a very wonderful thought. Finally, in conclusion, how can our listeners, whether they are corporate professionals, NGOs or social entrepreneurs, how can they contribute, in your opinion, towards building a more inclusive and sustainable India?

VK: Thank you, madam. First, this question was quite close to my heart because I have seen so many stakeholders in the community, in the CSR domain.

First, I will suggest to the NGOs, NGO partners. NGO partner is a very vital part of CSR domain. I request all the member to connect with the companies because I believe that NGOs are one of the best means of reaching out to the neediest and most disadvantaged community.

SA:  Thank you, Mr. Kamble, for sharing such valuable insights with us today. Your journey truly reflects how passion, experience and vision can transform CSR into a powerful tool for nation building and sustainable growth. It’s been inspiring to hear about your work, your learnings, your perspective on the future of Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR.

To our listeners, I hope this conversation has sparked new ideas on how CSR can create meaningful impact and build stronger partnerships between businesses and communities. And who knows, this dialogue may also open new doors and opportunities for Mr. Vijay Kamble to continue making a difference on an even larger canvas?

Until next time, stay inspired and keep leading with impact. Thank you, Mr. Kamble!.

You may reach out to Mr Kamble on: vijaykamble2000@rediffmail.com