Karnataka CSR & ESG Summit 2025: Responsibility to Resilience
The Karnataka CSR & ESG Summit 2025 held on Friday, 10th October at Hotel Radisson Blu Atria, Bengaluru, reinforced the critical role of integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into corporate strategy. With India’s evolving regulatory frameworks such as SEBI’s Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) and the Companies Act’s CSR mandates, sustainability is no longer a mere compliance activity but a strategic imperative for businesses.
The Summit, presented by the Directorial Advisors Consortium, brought together thought leaders, government representatives, changemakers, and innovators to collaborate on advancing sustainable development in Karnataka and beyond.
Welcome & Theme Address by Dr. G V Rao
Dr. G V Rao, Director CSR & External Industry Affairs at Volvo Group India, set the tone for the day by emphasizing the transformation of CSR from a compliance obligation to a powerful enabler of long-term business resilience. He highlighted the importance of embedding sustainability deeply within corporate DNA to address pressing environmental and social challenges. Dr. Rao urged companies to move beyond checkboxes towards impactful, integrated strategies that create value for all stakeholders.
Inaugural Address by Justice P Krishna Bhat
Justice P Krishna Bhat, former Justice of the High Court of Karnataka and Chairman of the Directorial Advisors Consortium, delivered the inaugural address. He underscored the evolving legal landscape around CSR and ESG and the critical role of judiciary and regulatory bodies in fostering a culture of accountability and ethical business practices. Justice Bhat called for collaborative efforts between government, industry, and civil society to drive meaningful and measurable social impact.
Panel Discussion: “CSR – From Obligation to Opportunity”
The engaging panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Sheela Arvind, Director at DRSMCPL, explored how CSR is evolving into a strategic opportunity for businesses.
Mr. Jayaprakash Tallam, Trustee & COO of Annapoorna Trust, delivered a compelling perspective on the transformative potential of CSR when rooted in genuine community engagement. He emphasized that real impact emerges when organizations listen deeply to local needs and co-create sustainable solutions with beneficiaries. Jayaprakash shared successful examples from Annapoorna Trust’s work, highlighting how investment in education, healthcare, and livelihood programs has empowered underprivileged communities and created lasting social value. He strongly advocated viewing CSR not as a philanthropic expense but as a strategic partnership for inclusive growth, underscoring that long-term commitment and trust-building are central to effective social responsibility.
Other panelists added valuable perspectives:
- Shri Naveen Seri, CEO of TruTrade, highlighted innovative market-based solutions that create economic opportunities while promoting social responsibility.
- CS Jyothi Shivayogi, Corporate Compliance and Governance expert, emphasized the importance of robust governance frameworks to ensure transparency and effective implementation of CSR programs.
- Dr. SK Murthy, Founder and MD of Satatham Kritam Legal Solutions LLP, shared legal insights on navigating CSR regulations and aligning them with business objectives to maximize impact.
The panel underscored that transforming CSR from a mandatory obligation to a strategic opportunity can drive inclusive growth, build trust, and create resilient businesses.
The Karnataka CSR & ESG Summit 2025 powerfully highlighted the shift from compliance-driven CSR to strategic, impact-focused sustainability. Collaborative efforts among businesses, government, and civil society remain key to building resilient and inclusive futures.
