• India CSR Awards 2025
  • Guest Posts
Saturday, August 30, 2025
  • Login
India CSR
  • Home
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Art & Culture
    • CSR Leaders
    • Child Rights
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Around the World
    • Skill Development
    • Safety
    • Covid-19
    • Safe Food For All
  • Sustainability
    • Sustainability Dialogues
    • Sustainability Knowledge Series
    • Plastics
    • Sustainable Development Goals
    • ESG
    • Circular Economy
    • BRSR
  • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Interviews
  • SDGs
    • No Poverty
    • Zero Hunger
    • Good Health & Well-Being
    • Quality Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Clean Water & Sanitation – SDG 6
    • Affordable & Clean Energy
    • Decent Work & Economic Growth
    • Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
    • Reduced Inequalities
    • Sustainable Cities & Communities
    • Responsible Consumption & Production
    • Climate Action
    • Life Below Water
    • Life on Land
    • Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
    • Partnerships for the Goals
  • Articles
  • Events
  • हिंदी
  • More
    • Business
    • Finance
    • Environment
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Around the World
    • Social Sector Leaders
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Trending News
      • Important Days
        • Festivals
      • Great People
      • Product Review
      • International
      • Sports
      • Entertainment
    • Case Studies
    • Philanthropy
    • Biography
    • Technology
    • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • Gaming
    • Knowledge
    • Home Improvement
    • Words Power
    • Chief Ministers
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Art & Culture
    • CSR Leaders
    • Child Rights
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Around the World
    • Skill Development
    • Safety
    • Covid-19
    • Safe Food For All
  • Sustainability
    • Sustainability Dialogues
    • Sustainability Knowledge Series
    • Plastics
    • Sustainable Development Goals
    • ESG
    • Circular Economy
    • BRSR
  • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Interviews
  • SDGs
    • No Poverty
    • Zero Hunger
    • Good Health & Well-Being
    • Quality Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Clean Water & Sanitation – SDG 6
    • Affordable & Clean Energy
    • Decent Work & Economic Growth
    • Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
    • Reduced Inequalities
    • Sustainable Cities & Communities
    • Responsible Consumption & Production
    • Climate Action
    • Life Below Water
    • Life on Land
    • Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
    • Partnerships for the Goals
  • Articles
  • Events
  • हिंदी
  • More
    • Business
    • Finance
    • Environment
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Around the World
    • Social Sector Leaders
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Trending News
      • Important Days
        • Festivals
      • Great People
      • Product Review
      • International
      • Sports
      • Entertainment
    • Case Studies
    • Philanthropy
    • Biography
    • Technology
    • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • Gaming
    • Knowledge
    • Home Improvement
    • Words Power
    • Chief Ministers
No Result
View All Result
India CSR
No Result
View All Result
Home Interviews

Conversation with Adi Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Group

Adi B. Godrej on Godrej Group's Trailblazing CSR Initiatives and Their Far-reaching Impact.

India CSR by India CSR
December 2, 2013
in Interviews
Reading Time: 8 mins read
Worlds Largest CSR_Media_IndiaCSR
Share Share Share Share

MUMBAI (India CSR): In this exclusive interview with Harsha Mukherjee, Adi B. Godrej Chairman, Godrej Group shares his views on Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of the group. Edited excerpts:

Most remarkable change by the CSR activities of Godrej?

The 2% CSR was budgeted in the group much before the law came into existence. Although the spent of full 2% is in the process the social investment made is yielding a lot of benefits to the business visible. Although the outcomes are difficult to measure but the strong CSR positioning has carved a niche in the all the stakeholders mind such as consumers, employees, investors mind about Godrej. Attracting new talent has become easier, people are motivated when company is doing well in CSR.

The prime change is in the ease of doing Business and acceptance at various levels due to the 3 fold CSR activities – Environment friendly, Training and building Good-Green Products.

A little brief about the Good – Green Products and CSR in R&D?

Godrej has compelled it’s R&D team to make Good Green Products which are also economic and help to curb diseases. These products arecatered to the people at the bottom of the pyramid. Good night fast card which you can put on the saucer burn for 3 minutes and the place would be mosquito free for 4 hours. It’s for Rs. 1 each and is cheaper than the mosquito coil which spreads smoke and is not the healthiest means. It is also safe and prevents accidents which may occur due to child touching the mosquito coils.

The product is already successful in Indonesia and now has been introduced in India.

Another product is Chotu Cool which is under test marketing. We are working with Gates Foundation to use them for preserving vaccines since they don’t need a compressor and work on a scientific principal called Peltier effect and even after the electricity goes out it stays cool for 5 hours.

Does Godrej implements it’s philanthropic activities different from CSR?

There are 2 different arms – philanthropy is done by the charitable foundation which is entirely supported by the family members and the CSR arm which is done by the company. That expenditure is completely done by the promoters of Godrej and not the shareholders. The foundation works in Education, health care and other such activities but big focus is the Environment.

For example, The foundation has set-up together with CII, the CII-Godrej Green Business Center in Hyderabad that teaches Indian Business that how Sustainable Business can be very good for not only the country and society but also the business.

Godrej has also conserved 1500 acres of mangroves reserves surrounding their company.  Prince Charles who had visited Mumbai earlier in November was taken for a tour in the area filled with greenery and wild life. The real jungle build in the concrete jungle city is frequently visited by the  school and college students.

The foundation has also supported the wild life foundation in India.

CSR Exit Strategy?

We do believe in making our CSR activities self sustainable. The training program has to be self sustainable and scaling up is essential.

Has the Business slow down affected the CSR activities?

No, but Godrej hasn’t been much affected by global recession. Last year the GDP growth was 5% and Godrej growth as a company was 28%. Our objective is 10 by 10 i.e. to be 10 times in 10 years which was started in 2011. In order to achieve that the compounded annual growth needs to be 26% which includes inorganic growth that is by means of acquisitions. Godrej has done large acquisitions in Godrej Consumer products especially internationally.

When the acquisitions are done, is CSR of the company looked at and does the parent company forms the CSR strategy for the branches or is it localized?

We don’t look at what CSR they do while acquiring but once they are under Godrej their CSR activities formed based on the local needs. Presently, we have spread in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Nigeria, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and others.

Godrej develops the CSR strategy based on the local needs of the host countryespecially for Africa which has a lot of Social issues more than India’s.

What are your business activities in Africa and CSR activities surrounding them?

Godrej has 10,000 employees in Africa and 80% of them are women in the factories across the African Continent. We introduce CSR as soon as we enter a new market. One of our business in Africa is “Hair Extensions”  where we employ many women and we train them in Hair styling.

CSR holds a lot of cultural relevance, is Godrej active in that space?

Godrej runs a Culture Lab headed by Parmesh Shahani who holds discussion on diverse topics such as Arts, Women Empowerment, Science and others every Friday. In one of the sessions they discussed about pregnant women and work related issues.

What is the Succession Planning and the role of women in business?

My wife, Ms. Parmeshwar Godrej is the Director at Godrej Properties who is also insistent on Sustainability. All the buildings at Godrej Properties are committed to be LEED certified. The CII Godrej Green Building in Hyderabad is the 1st Platinum rated building outside the USA.

My  2 daughters have also joined the business. Since olden days, in Godrej family women have inherited in the same manner as men. So in the 3 children everything is equal and also in terms of leadership and management whoever is the best takes the charge irrespective of their gender.

According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG) if women join workplace fully in India, it would add a percentage point in GDP of our country. Godrej largely employs women and has many women at the senior most position.

Has the investor’s attitude changed since Godrej is a CSR Compliant Company?

Investors look at 3 things – Corporate Governance, CSR is a factor, Sustainability and there has been a significant difference not only in the employees and customers but also Investors.

Should Stock Market reward the companies who are CSR Compliant?

Stock market should reward the companies who give the maximum returns but I strongly believe that CSR, Sustainability add to performance so companies who take it seriously are likely to be more successful. Thus for that reason the company should be supported but not only for CSR alone.

Your thoughts on the current state of CSR mandate?

I was the first one to support in spite of the reluctance from many business houses. Earlier many rules were laid down on the areas of expenditures but after a lot of discussion with Mr. Pilot it was finalized that every company would have a CSR Committee of the Board and whatever they decide will be acceptable and you need to put everything on the website for transparency. It has been overruled that the funds can be given to the political parties or CM funds.

Do you forsee CSR Manpower crunch in near future?

It could be but CII is largely supporting the industries to achieve their goals. CII has collaborated with India@75, they had a major PR launch on 14th November 2013. This movement was supported by Prof. C. K Prahlad who passed away last year. It is his vision of what India should be in it’s 75th year so it’s a very good program which wants to project what India should be and what CII foundation will do is to enable the smaller members to help direct CSR funds fruitfully.

But yes we would require CSR managers in near future. I would like to say that there is no unemployment in India but it’s only un employability. We are short of all kinds of people and CSR Managers. In fact it is very heartening to see that we have a lot of people who want to do that, I have senior managers who tell us we want to work for 2-3 years then we want to go in to some CSR work. It is very good to see people with such dedication.

How would you define CSR as?

CSR is for using corporate managerial talent and economic strength for improving society in various fields.


You may also like:

  • Trust in business by society is low, So business needs to earn back the trust of stakeholders: Dr Wayne Visser
  • Our Philosophy is Deeply Rooted in the Principles of Sustainability, Says Alka Talwar, Corporate Head – CSR, Tata Chemicals
  • We Want to Showcase CSR Activities: Bhaskar Chatterjee
  • Making CSR Mandatory is Good Philosophy: Canon India CEO
  • ECCODiva is an Energy Efficient Ultimate Multi Purpose Solar Light: Satish Jha
IndiaCSR Whatsapp Channel
I AM PEACEKEEPER MOVEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
India CSR Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
FKCCI CSR & Sustainability Conference 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
National STEM Challenge 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Tags: CII-Godrej Green Business CenterCSR activities of GodrejCSR ofGodrejGodrej GroupInterview of Adi B. Godrej Chairman

India CSR offers strategic corporate outreach opportunities to amplify your brand’s CSR, Sustainability, and ESG success stories.

📩 Contact us at: biz@indiacsr.in

Let’s collaborate to amplify your brand’s impact in the CSR and ESG ecosystem.

India CSR

India CSR

India CSR is the largest media on CSR and sustainability offering diverse content across multisectoral issues on business responsibility. It covers Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability, and related issues in India. Founded in 2009, the organisation aspires to become a globally admired media that offers valuable information to its readers through responsible reporting.

Related Posts

Jayatri Dasgupta, CMO of PayNearby and Program Director of Digital Naari
Interviews

Empowering Rural Women: An Interview with Jayatri Dasgupta, CMO, PayNearby & Program Director, Digital Naari

3 days ago
Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala
Interviews

Peace A Shared Responsibility: Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala

1 week ago
Dr. V. Kumar - Director of The Lodha Mathematical Sciences Institute (LMSI) Mumbai
Interviews

Mathematics Will Drive India’s Development: An Exclusive Interview with Prof. V. Kumar Murty

1 week ago
Elevate 2025: Music, Movement, and Mentorship Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders
Interviews

Elevate 2025: Music, Movement, and Mentorship Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders

2 weeks ago
Himanshu Nivsarkar, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of CSR & ESG at Kotak Mahindra Bank
Interviews

Driving Sustainable Impact: An Interview with Himanshu Nivsarkar, Kotak Mahindra Bank

3 months ago
Balamurugan Thevar, CSR Head at Shriram Finance
Interviews

Empowering Women Drivers: An Interview with Balamurugan Thevar, CSR Head at Shriram Finance

3 months ago
Load More
I AM PEACEKEEPER
ADVERTISEMENT
India CSR Awards
ADVERTISEMENT
India CSR Awards
ADVERTISEMENT
National STEM Challenge
ADVERTISEMENT

LATEST NEWS

Farmers in Raigarh Demand Action Against Ind Synergy Limited’s Land Encroachment, Fly Ash Dumping

Who is Manoj Tumu, 23-Year-Old Who Quit Amazon for Rs 3.36 Crore Meta AI Job

Jindal Steel to Pay ₹160 Crore for Ecological Damage in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, Rules NGT

Cash Profit: Meaning, Importance, and Role in Business Growth

Raigarh: Jindal Steel Slapped with ₹16.75 lakh Penalty for Environmental Violations

PPP Airports Drive 87% Non-Aero Revenues, Flyers to Hit 600M by 2030

TOP NEWS

CSR: Max Healthcare Foundation Expands Scholarship for 100 MBBS Students

CSR: Indian Army and Bisleri International to Develop Eco Zone in Sikkim

Inflation at 8-year low of 1.6% in July, says RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra at FIBAC 2025

Harish & Bina Shah Foundation to Give ₹100 Crores to Advance Girls’ Education

India to Become World’s Third-Largest Economy Soon, Says PM Narendra Modi

RBI Imposes ₹1 Lakh Penalty on Dharmapuri District Central Co-operative Bank for Lending to Directors

Load More
STEM Learning STEM Learning STEM Learning
ADVERTISEMENT

Advertisement

Image Slider
content writing services Guest Post Top 5 Reasons to have Sponsored Posts at India CSR – India’s Largest CSR Media R2V2 Technologies Private Limited

Interviews

Jayatri Dasgupta, CMO of PayNearby and Program Director of Digital Naari
Interviews

Empowering Rural Women: An Interview with Jayatri Dasgupta, CMO, PayNearby & Program Director, Digital Naari

by India CSR
August 27, 2025

Empowering Women at the Last Mile: A Conversation on Digital Naari’s Social Impact By Rusen Kumar NEW DELHI (India CSR): Jayatri...

Read moreDetails
Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala

Peace A Shared Responsibility: Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala

August 23, 2025
Dr. V. Kumar - Director of The Lodha Mathematical Sciences Institute (LMSI) Mumbai

Mathematics Will Drive India’s Development: An Exclusive Interview with Prof. V. Kumar Murty

August 22, 2025
Elevate 2025: Music, Movement, and Mentorship Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders

Elevate 2025: Music, Movement, and Mentorship Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders

August 14, 2025
Load More
ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn Instagram
India CSR Logo

India CSR is the largest tech-led platform for information on CSR and sustainability in India offering diverse content across multisectoral issues. It covers Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability, and related issues in India. Founded in 2009, the organisation aspires to become a globally admired media that offers valuable information to its readers through responsible reporting. To enjoy the premium services, we invite you to partner with us.

Follow us on social media:


Dear Valued Reader

India CSR is a free media platform that provides up-to-date information on CSR, Sustainability, ESG, and SDGs. They need reader support to continue delivering honest news. Donations of any amount are appreciated.

Help save India CSR.

Donate Now

donate at indiacsr

  • About India CSR
  • Team
  • India CSR Awards 2025
  • Partnership
  • Guest Posts
  • Services
  • Content Writing Services
  • Business Information
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donate

Copyright © 2025 - India CSR | All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
×
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Art & Culture
    • CSR Leaders
    • Child Rights
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Around the World
    • Skill Development
    • Safety
    • Covid-19
    • Safe Food For All
  • Sustainability
    • Sustainability Dialogues
    • Sustainability Knowledge Series
    • Plastics
    • Sustainable Development Goals
    • ESG
    • Circular Economy
    • BRSR
  • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Interviews
  • SDGs
    • No Poverty
    • Zero Hunger
    • Good Health & Well-Being
    • Quality Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Clean Water & Sanitation – SDG 6
    • Affordable & Clean Energy
    • Decent Work & Economic Growth
    • Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
    • Reduced Inequalities
    • Sustainable Cities & Communities
    • Responsible Consumption & Production
    • Climate Action
    • Life Below Water
    • Life on Land
    • Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
    • Partnerships for the Goals
  • Articles
  • Events
  • हिंदी
  • More
    • Business
    • Finance
    • Environment
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Around the World
    • Social Sector Leaders
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Trending News
      • Important Days
      • Great People
      • Product Review
      • International
      • Sports
      • Entertainment
    • Case Studies
    • Philanthropy
    • Biography
    • Technology
    • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • Gaming
    • Knowledge
    • Home Improvement
    • Words Power
    • Chief Ministers

Copyright © 2025 - India CSR | All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.