‘PM wants IT companies to pool CSR initiatives’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a digital CSR platform for sharing best practices, convergence of initiatives and engagement of volunteers from Information Technology companies keen on development works.

Speaking to mediapersons after meeting the leaders of IT companies here, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Electronics and IT, said that Modi will launch the initiative during the Indian Mobile Congress to be held later this month (October 25). He also said that Modi will hold a town-hall in Delhi on October 24 with tech professionals to “enthuse and inspire them” to make India’s digital story one of social inclusion. Briefing media about Modi’s meeting with the industry leaders, Prasad said that the Prime Minister told them the IT sector needs to work towards coordinated CSR efforts on a common platform in the interest of backward districts.

“There is a larger need to bring corporate social responsibility into a common pool for sharing best practices. The entire industry, IT and electronics, is committed to this and many ideas were discussed at the meeting” he said.

IT honchos

The meeting was attended by Debjani Ghosh (Nasscom President), Rajan Anandan (Google Vice-President - South East Asia and India), TV Mohandas Pai (IT industry veteran), BVR Mohan Reddy (Cyient Executive Chairman), and Pankaj Mohindroo (Indian Cellular Association National President) among others.