The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I) organized the first edition of the Social Leadership Awards on November 26th, 2022, at Williamson Magor Hall, The Bengal Chamber premises. 

The aim of the programme was to commemorate the most admired and outstanding development initiatives in West Bengal and acknowledge the notable contributions that were raising benchmarks by bringing transformative change in society through innovation and excellence. Total 54 applicants, from both Corporates and NGOs had participated in this endeavour to showcase their exemplary developmental projects.

The programme started with the opening speech by Mr Subir Chakraborty, President of BCC&I and Managing Director and CEO of Exide Industries Limited. He explained the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). “Earlier, we talked about taking things from the environment but never talked about giving back. After years, we have come to realise that if you don’t give back, the entire system will collapse. That is why CSR is important.”

The Chief Guest for the Social Leadership Awards was Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Former Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force, and Former Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, honorary member and Ambassadeur Extraordinaire of BCC&I. 

Mr Jitendra Kumar, Chairperson, Corporate Governance and CSR Committee, BCC&I, and President (Legal and Corporate Affairs), Exide Industries Limited, was the force behind the debut awards. He along with the Mentor of the committee Mr Ravindra Chamaria launched the BCC&I CSR Foundation Portal, to provide a single digital platform connecting NGOs and Corporations for the purpose of disseminating information in the field of CSR. The portal was designed and presented by Mr. Aninda Das, Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications, Infinity Group, and the entire initiative was implemented under the guidance of Mr. Ravindra Chamaria, Mentor, CSR Committee, The Bengal Chamber, and Group Chairman, Infinity Group. 

This was followed by two panel discussions, namely ‘Evolving Landscape of CSR in India’ and ‘Role of NGOs in Equitable and Sustainable Development’, moderated by Mr. Amitabh Shah, Founder & Chief Inspiration Officer, Yuva Unstoppable, were also held during the Social Leadership Awards. The panelists of the sessions, Dr Bhaskar Chatterjee, Former Director General & CEO, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs;  Mr Sumit Dasgupta, Founder and Director, Allcap Communications; and Ms Syentika Dey, youth representative from Shri Shikshayatan School, Ms Sujata Sen, CEO, Future Hope India; Prof Joydev Mazumdar, Executive Director, Vidyasagar School of Social Work (Vidyasagar University); Mr Abhishek Jain, Associate Principal, Corporate Advisory, Sattva Consulting; and Ms Suhani Sugla, youth representative from La Martiniere for Girls School, deliberated on the above subjects.

The main attraction of the show was the award ceremony which was judged by an esteemed panel of jury, namely, Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, Former Director General & CEO, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs; Dr Kunal Basu, Professor, Saïd Business School and Research Fellow, Templeton College, Oxford University, U.K. ; Mr. Amitabh Shah, Founder & Chief Inspiration Officer, YUVA UNSTOPPABLE; Mr. Sanjay Prasad, Executive Director, Mission of Mercy Hospital and Research Centre and Mr Sumit Dasgupta, Founder and Director, Allcap Communications Pvt Ltd. The entire initiative was partnered by Sattva Consulting as Knowledge Partner.

The Panel of Juries announced the awardees one by one at the end of the programme.  Anahat For Change Foundation received a Special Mention award, while Parivaar Education Society, Youth4Jobs Foundation and Anudip Foundation were the winners at the Social Leadership Awards under the NGO category. CESC Ltd received a Special Mention award while Ambuja Cement declared as the winner in the Corporate category. The entire show was highly appreciated by the Winners and the participants. 

The initiative was supported by Exide Industries Limited, CESC Limited, Anmol Industries Limited, Linde India Limited, Tata Steel Downstream Products Limited, Infinity Group and Digital Media Partner – My Kolkata – The Telegraph Online. The initiative was also supported by Infinity Group. It was also well covered by the media.