Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan Addresses National CSR Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam

The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed the National CSR Summit 2026 organised by the Times of India Group at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi today.

The Vice-President commended the Times of India Group for convening the summit and bringing together leadership, ideas and a call for action. He observed that when institutions work together, society and the nation move forward collectively, and emphasised that such collaboration is crucial at this transformative moment in India’s journey.

Highlighting India’s progress over the last decade under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the Vice-President noted that India has moved from being the 10th largest economy to the 4th largest economy in the world and is on course to become the third largest. He underlined that structural reforms, inclusive expansion, digital connectivity, financial inclusion and infrastructure development have brought more than 25 crore citizens out of extreme poverty and raised aspirations across regions and communities.

He remarked that the next phase of development demands deeper partnership among government, industry and civil society. Stating that Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer peripheral but central to national progress, he described CSR as the space where enterprise meets empathy, where balance sheets meet human stories, and where growth acquires purpose.

Emphasising India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the goal of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the Vice-President said that development must be broad-based, prosperity inclusive and sustainability non-negotiable. He observed that CSR can play a transformative role by strengthening public education, enhancing primary healthcare in remote areas, promoting industry-aligned skill development, supporting women-led enterprises and accelerating the green transition through renewable energy and climate resilience initiatives.

The Vice-President stressed that CSR is not merely about compliance with law but about commitment to the nation. He stated that honest taxpayers are among the most patriotic citizens, and when corporate India invests in communities, sustainability, youth and innovation, it builds social capital and secures long-term growth. He added that India is moving from being an adaptor of technologies to an innovator, and should aspire to innovate for the world to adopt.

Referring to policy reforms such as ease of doing business, digital governance and GST, he noted that these measures have strengthened trust and transparency in the system. However, he emphasised that policies alone cannot transform a nation; transformation occurs when government, industry and civil society move in alignment-the very spirit of the summit.

Speaking on responsible capitalism, the Vice-President observed that profit and purpose must move together. He stated that legitimate profit earned with a commitment to societal welfare is necessary, and that innovation and inclusion, as well as growth and sustainability, must reinforce each other.

Expressing confidence that the summit would lead to fresh commitments and replicable models across states and sectors, he urged corporate leaders to think boldly, invest strategically, measure impact rigorously and view CSR not as expenditure but as nation-building capital.

The Vice-President also called upon media organisations to dedicate greater space to development stories, stating that in a well-functioning democracy, people must remain at the centre and their faith in the system should be strengthened through positive narratives of progress. He underlined the importance of electoral processes in ensuring public participation and accountability, and shared his view that implementing the concept of One Nation, One Election would enable stronger decision-making and long-term policy focus.