CSR Conclave 2026 Charts a Collaborative Roadmap for Viksit Bharat, Honours Transformative CSR Leaders

Sathya Sai Grama, Karnataka: The opening day of the Second Edition of the CSR Conclave 2026 – Reforming CSR for Viksit Bharat brought together an extraordinary congregation of policymakers, corporate leaders, regulators, philanthropists, media professionals and social sector practitioners to explore how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can evolve into a transformative force for nation building.

Organised by the Prasanthi Balamandira Trust in association with the One World One Family Mission, the conclave set the tone for meaningful dialogue on responsible leadership, collaborative partnerships, transparent governance, and innovative financing mechanisms such as the Social Stock Exchange (SSE).

Visionary Leadership for a Developed India

The inaugural session featured distinguished leaders including Shri S. Ramadorai, Chairman of the CSR Conclave 2026; Shri M. Damodaran, Former Chairman, SEBI; Dr. S. Ravi, Former Chairman, BSE; Shri K. R. Lakshminarayana, Chief Endowment Officer, Azim Premji Investments; Shri Raghuvir Srinivasan, Editor, The Hindu BusinessLine; Shri Shashi Kiran Shetty, Founder & Chairman, Allcargo Group; Shri Mithilesh Kumar Tiwari, Hon’ble Minister for Education, Government of Bihar; and Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, Founder of the One World One Family Mission.

Together, the speakers presented a compelling vision of CSR as an instrument for creating measurable social impact and accelerating India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

Shri S. Ramadorai: Investing in People is Investing in India’s Future

Chairman of the CSR Conclave 2026, Shri S. Ramadorai highlighted that India’s greatest strength lies in its people. He stressed that investments in nutrition, education, healthcare and skills are investments in the nation’s future and called upon government, corporates, academia and civil society to work together in building trusted institutions capable of delivering measurable social outcomes. He described the Social Stock Exchange as a landmark institutional innovation that can connect corporate intent with credible implementation.

Shri M. Damodaran: CSR Must Become an Affair of the Heart

Reflecting on India’s CSR journey over the past decade, Shri M. Damodaran observed that CSR has gradually evolved from being a statutory obligation into a genuine expression of compassion and responsibility. Appreciating the One World One Family Mission’s integrated approach to nutrition, education and healthcare, he emphasised that these three pillars empower future generations and demonstrate how compassionate institutions can transform society.

Dr. S. Ravi: Building Trust Through Credible Implementation

Drawing upon decades of experience in governance and financial markets, Dr. S. Ravi highlighted that while CSR allocations have increased significantly, effective implementation remains the key challenge. He noted that credible implementing organisations are essential for ensuring transparency, accountability and measurable outcomes, enabling corporates to deploy CSR funds with confidence and maximise social impact.

Shri K. R. Lakshminarayana: Scaling Impact Through the Social Stock Exchange

Shri K. R. Lakshminarayana explained that complex challenges in education, nutrition and healthcare require strong philanthropic institutions supported by innovative financing. Identifying scale, trust, funding consistency and credible implementation as the four major challenges in India’s social sector, he described the Social Stock Exchange as an important mechanism for mobilising resources and strengthening public confidence in social investments.

Shri Raghuvir Srinivasan: The Time for Transformational CSR Has Arrived

Sharing his impressions after visiting Sathya Sai Grama, Shri Raghuvir Srinivasan remarked that he was deeply inspired by the professionalism and scale of humanitarian service being undertaken by the One World One Family Mission. He observed that CSR is entering a new phase where transparency, accountability and the Social Stock Exchange can help transform CSR from a compliance requirement into a strategic driver of national development, while the media has an important role in amplifying impactful social initiatives.

Shri Shashi Kiran Shetty: Strengthening India’s Social Infrastructure

Shri Shashi Kiran Shetty emphasised that alongside highways, airports and digital infrastructure, India must invest equally in its social infrastructure. He called for greater corporate investments in education, healthcare, nutrition and community development, appreciating the integrated service model of the One World One Family Mission and reaffirming his commitment to supporting initiatives that create lasting societal impact.

Shri Mithilesh Kumar Tiwari: “I See India Here and Imagine the World from Here”

Delivering one of the most inspiring addresses of the day, Shri Mithilesh Kumar Tiwari, Hon’ble Minister for Education, Government of Bihar, described Sathya Sai Grama as a living embodiment of national unity, remarking, “I see India here and imagine the world from here.”

Deeply impressed by the values-based education ecosystem, the university, Veda Paatashala and the completely free super-speciality hospital, he invited Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai to establish similar institutions in Bihar. Recognising Bihar’s rich heritage in knowledge, spirituality and millet cultivation, he also expressed his desire to introduce the SaiSure Morning Nutrition Programme for nearly two crore government school children in the state.

Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai: Compassion is the Foundation of Nation Building

In his keynote address, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai reaffirmed that a developed India cannot be built on economic growth alone. He emphasised that nutrition, education and healthcare are the three pillars upon which inclusive development must rest.

He urged corporates to move beyond viewing CSR as a statutory obligation and instead embrace it as a movement of shared responsibility. Rooted in the philosophy of “One World One Family,” he encouraged governments, businesses, philanthropists and civil society to work together through trusted partnerships and innovative platforms such as the Social Stock Exchange to create measurable and sustainable social impact