• India CSR Awards 2025
  • Guest Posts
Friday, August 29, 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 Articles

How Corporates’ response to COVID-19 can evolve Social Engagement for businesses

India CSR by India CSR
May 8, 2020
in Articles, Prime
Reading Time: 4 mins read
India CSR
Share Share Share Share

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought life to a crippling halt across the globe. In India, corporates besides CSR funds are contributing by repurposing and diversifying their products to combat the pandemic. This strategy has the possibility of advancing the way corporates meet their social goals.

Havoc Created by the Pandemic & Response

Seldom comes a point in the world when almost every individual is at a threat of a pandemic like COVID-19. At the last count, 212 countries are affected by this infectious disease caused by the deadly coronavirus. Economies around the globe have come to a shrieking halt and all the efforts are directed towards combating the invisible nemesis. In India, the pandemic has impacted nearly the whole country and a large-scale endeavor is currently on to minimize the COVID-19 positive cases and unfortunate casualties.

Corporate India was swift to loosen its purse strings and contributed generously to fight COVID-19 as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort. However, the contribution of Indian companies did not stop at merely making monetary contributions but the companies have repurposed or diversified their business to fight the pandemic effectively.  

Repurposing & Diversification

India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India Limited in partnership with AgVa Healthcare has taken to manufacturing low-cost ventilators, which is a must for COVID-19 critical cases. Mahindra and Mahindra Limited has also started producing low-cost ventilators. Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group created quite a buzz when he announced that Mahindra & Mahindra Limited has developed a ventilator for Rs. 7,500 as compared to a going rate of Rs. 5 to 10 lakhs. Besides, FMCG companies such as CavinKare, Dabur, Emami, Nivea India, Raymond Consumer Care, and VLCC have either entered the hand sanitizer market or are preparing to do so.

They are joined by alcoholic beverage companies such as Bacardi India and Diageo India and sugar companies such as DCM Shriram, Dalmia Bharat Sugar Mills, Balrampur Chini Mills, and Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar in this endeavor. ITC has also repurposed its perfume plant in Himachal Pradesh to produce hand sanitizer. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) too got involved in sanitizer and masks production. India’s leading garment maker Arvind has gotten into producing protective coveralls and non-N95 masks. Welspun is making masks and disinfectant wipes. Bata India manufactured masks for a short duration for donating to police personnel.

Helping Beyond Monetary Contribution

This is probably the first instance in Indian corporate history when one is witness to a sudden spike in companies deploying their core teams and expertise in developing solutions for a social cause. The approach of the corporates is thoroughly professional and ensuing offerings are bona fide solutions and not poorly put together products in a jugaad like modus operandi, although jugaad has its own rightful place in the Indian context. This would not have been possible in the business as usual scenario but then this is the silver lining in our fight with the pandemic. 

This development fits neatly within the concepts of shared value and corporate social innovation being advocated for years. Though this is not the first time that companies have adopted one of the principles of the shared value of “re-conceiving products and markets in a manner that they meet the societal needs, and address unserved or underserved customers”.

Some prominent examples encompass the oft-quoted case of Hindustan Unilever’s helping rural women to earn livelihoods by selling its products under Project Shakti; Nestle India launching a micronutrient-reinforced spice product ‘Maggi Masala-ae-Magic’ targeted at low-income consumers in India, and JSW Steel launching portable steel toilets.

However, there is a difference this time in terms of scale, pace, and apparent close involvement of the principal teams of companies repurposing or diversifying their products to combat COVID-19 given the urgency of the situation.

Possibility of Evolved Future Path

The COVID-19 crisis and corporate India’s response through remodeling or expanding its products has the potential to evolve the corporates’ approach to social engagement. This is probable since the experience of developing solutions swiftly and in-depth involvement is likely to remain etched in the memories of corporates for some time to come.

The companies must not let go of this momentum and use this experience to magnify their social involvement by coming up with innovative offerings by actively scouting for the needs and opportunities in the future. This is also vital since in the coming time, the CSR funds are expected to dwindle in the short-term due to falling profits owing to the long duration of the lockdown.

The corporates can complement their CSR funds by developing innovative social solutions for their communities, which can be offered on a pro-bono basis. This will form the grounds for expansion of these solutions based on an evaluation of their experience and demand for a larger consumer segment for commercial viability, thereby deriving shared benefits for both the company and consumers.

This can create a ripple effect across the sectors spurring other companies to tap the opportunity. In the long-run, this strategy can enable the corporates to effectively contribute to the country’s development challenges through their managerial skills, technology, and innovation. This was what the framers of Section 135 and Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, and Companies (CSR) Policy Rules, 2014 also envisaged.  

Dheeraj Kapoor is Social Sector Professional based in Mumbai

CopyRight@indiacsr

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: CSRCSR & COMPETITIVENESSDheeraj Kapoor

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

Why India Needs Smart, Sustainable, and Regionally Inclusive Parks
Articles

Why India Needs Smart, Sustainable, and Regionally Inclusive Parks

2 days ago
Corporate Social Responsibility
Articles

Redefining Responsibility: How Global Regulations Are Shaping the Future of CSR Transparency

4 days ago
Lodha envisions carbon neutrality in operations by 2035, Says Abhishek Lodha, MD & CEO, Lodha Group
Articles

India, STEM, CSR, and Lodha’s Commitment to Mathematics

1 week ago
Gadchiroli
Articles

Gadchiroli’s Next Chapter: Inclusive Growth and the Making of an Inclusive Economy

2 weeks ago
India philanthropy
Articles

From Counting to Caring: Why Indian Philanthropy Must Invest in Trust, Not Just Outputs 

3 weeks ago
Sustainability
Articles

How Project Management Can Ensure the Achievement of Environmental Goals for India’s Green Wall Initiative

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

LATEST NEWS

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

Hindustan Zinc Partners with Epiroc to Advance Digital Safety Technologies in Mining

हिन्दुस्तान जिंक ने एपिरोक संग साझेदारी से माइनिंग सुरक्षा बढ़ाई

Chhattisgarh Demands Return of Wildlife from Ambani’s Vantara

RBI Absorbs ₹1,83,26,34,20,000 Liquidity Through Operations on August 27

How Cushion Covers Can Help Elevate Your Home Interior

TOP NEWS

CSR: Essar Foundation supports Team India for the World Youth Scrabble Championship 2025

A Closer Look at What Makes a Malayali Matrimony App Culturally Relevant

Chhattisgarh Demands Return of Wildlife from Ambani’s Vantara

RBI Announces Inter-Bank Hindi Essay Competition 2025-26, Topic on Tariffs, Global Trade and India

Where to Find Legal Pro Kabaddi Betting Apps

RBI imposes ₹2 lakh penalty on Anand Mercantile Co-operative Bank

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.