Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers champions collaborative CSR at 7th CSR Conclave in Mumbai!
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) convened its 7th CSR Conclave in Mumbai under the theme “CSR Partnerships – From Shared Vision to Shared Value,” reinforcing the automobile industry’s commitment to responsible growth and nation-building. The event brought together leaders from industry, government, civil society and development organisations to explore collaborative models that deliver measurable and sustainable social impact.
The opening session, titled “CSR as National Development Catalyst – Building the Nation, Responsibly,” highlighted how the automotive sector’s widespread national footprint creates meaningful opportunities for community development. SIAM Executive Director Prashant K Banerjee emphasized that the industry’s presence across states enables targeted interventions in health, sanitation, skill development and education, aligned with India’s long-term development priorities.
Dr Bhaskar Chatterjee, Director General and CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, attended as Guest of Honour and reflected on the evolution of corporate social responsibility in India. He noted that CSR has transitioned from philanthropic activity to a structured governance framework backed by regulatory oversight. He stressed the need for technology-enabled monitoring systems, independent impact evaluations and stronger alignment with sustainability goals such as waste reduction, operational efficiency and carbon mitigation.
Puneet Anand, Chairman of the SIAM CSR & Community Services Group, observed that India’s CSR ecosystem has matured significantly, with thousands of companies contributing to structured social investment. However, he emphasized that the next phase requires moving beyond compliance toward measurable outcomes. According to him, partnerships must focus on employability enhancement, community resilience and scalable district-level development models capable of generating long-term transformation.
The conclave featured participation from CSR leaders representing organizations such as Ashok Leyland and Maruti Suzuki, who shared practical experiences in designing and implementing high-impact initiatives. Legal and governance perspectives were also discussed, reinforcing the importance of transparency, accountability and alignment with national development objectives.
A dedicated thematic session explored CSR pillars including environmental sustainability, road safety, healthcare access and skill development. Experts from industry, academia and nonprofit organizations discussed strategies to scale community outreach through structured partnerships. Discussions highlighted the importance of integrating corporate expertise with grassroots implementation to ensure effective last-mile delivery.
Another panel brought together NGO and corporate representatives to examine successful collaboration frameworks in CSR execution. The conclave also included a fireside discussion focused on partnership-driven CSR models and concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding initiatives in areas such as skill development, healthcare, road safety and environmental conservation.
SIAM continues to position the automotive industry as a proactive contributor to India’s sustainable development journey. Through structured CSR programmes and cross-sector collaboration, the organization aims to strengthen community well-being, promote cleaner mobility and align corporate responsibility with broader national priorities.
