Mumbai, India -June 12, 2023 - S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), the
academic partner, hosted the Pan India Symposiums 2023 in collaboration with HCLTech India
Grant and CSRBOX to foster responsible leadership and drive community development
initiatives.
The symposiums, held at the SPJIMR campus, brought together industry leaders, policymakers,
academicians, and change-makers for engaging panel discussions, workshops, and
presentations on sustainable development, ethical leadership, and inclusive growth.
In their 9th edition, the symposiums serve as a platform for NGOs, industry leaders,
policymakers, and academicians to discuss Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its
impact on nation-building. The HCLTech India Grant, initiated by HCLTech and the HCL
Foundation, supports innovative rural development models by awarding winning NGOs in the
Environment, Health, and Education categories.
In his welcome address, Dr Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, highlighted the synergies between
NGOs, CSR foundations and educational institutions, especially business schools. He further
explained how the three pillars in SPJIMR are education, research and direct community
intervention, aligned with the cause of sustainability and vision that NGOs and Foundations
carry. Dr Nagaraj also mentioned SPJIMR's DoCC rural internships and Abhyudaya,
showcasing the institute's dedication to community engagement. He concluded his address by
saying, “Business schools are also sharing the same mission that you (NGOs & Foundations)
have; to make the world a better place, and our activities and in many cases, are aligned with
you all”.
Mr Sundar Mahalingam, President of Strategy at HCL Corporation and Shiv Nadar Foundation,
shared the evolution of HCL Foundation from the thought of ‘What we can do in Rural India’. He
gave insights into the different development programmes of HCL and its rationale and
intervention. About HCL Tech Grants, he said that the “organizations working for the people and
their upliftment need to be recognized. Even applying for the grants itself a recognition, since it
shows they have an idea for the cause”

In the panel discussion on “Promoting sustainable and inclusive Economic Growth in India
through G20 cooperation and CSR efforts, Mr Milllind Arolkar, Director, Rambhau Mhalgi
Prabodhini, Mr Hemant Gupta, Head, BSE Social Stock Exchange, MD BIL Ryerson

Technology Start-up Incubator Foundation, Dr Chandrika Parmar, Associate Professor at
SPJIMR, Director DoCC Ms Siji Varghese, CEO, Leaders in Lipstick shared their thoughts.
During the Panel discussion, Dr Chandrika Parmar said, “We at SPJIMR are trying to create a
sustainability mindset. Students who graduate from the institute should have a certain set of
values", and she added, "We see civil society organizations as educators who teach, our
students about larger issues of the society". Reiterating the point on perceptive grant-making,
she said, “Let the work drive the funds and not the funds drive the work

As the academic partner for the symposium, SPJIMR reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing
responsible leaders who strive for social and economic progress. The event allowed SPJIMR
students, faculty, and partners to engage with industry experts and gain valuable insights
actively.

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