Alumni from Odisha, Mr. Abinash Chandra Nayak, shares his experience of working in Corporate Social Responsibility projects at Tata Steel

Working in the Legal Dept. of Tata Steel Long Products Limited, Mr. Abinash Chandra Nayak, an alumnus of Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Angul,Odisha has substantial understanding regarding the potential of Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) in the field of social work.  Recently he talked about his experiences via an interview, whose excerpt has been given below.

Interviewer :  Mr. Nayak thank you for taking out time to talk with us. Can you kindly give us a brief background about your academic and professional life so far?

Mr. Nayak : I have done my schooling from Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Angul,Odisha and Zilla High School, Balasore. I completed 5 years of integrated B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) in the year 2004 and  also studied LL.M. (Business Law) I have an MBA (HR) degree as well.

Presently I am working in the Legal Dept. of Tata Steel Long Products Limited, Joda, Keonjhar, Odisha and posted at Joda.

Interviewer : You mentioned that you are associated with CSR work. Can you kindly tell us more about it?

Mr. Nayak : Tata Group is well known for its Social Services/ CSR Activities. As an employee I have had the opportunity to associate myself with several social work projects undertaken by the organisation.

The main focus of most of the CSR projects is on the inclusive growth of the surrounding community and specifically  the economically unprivileged sections. Additionally I'm also a Trustee of Vidya Shakti Niyas (VSN), which is a Charitable Trust dedicated towards improving the living standards of the unprivileged people in the nearby community. The nonprofit Trust was formed in 2002 by a group of dedicated volunteers from Tata Steel Long Products Township. Over a span of 17 years, the Public Charitable Trust has transformed many villages for the better in the vicinity. 

The trust has made a huge impact in the lives of its residents, turning Vidya Shakti Niyas, a household name in the surrounding villages. Welfare measures undertaken by the organisation include issues on general health and well-being, agriculture, nutrition, education, sports, social awareness, entrepreneurship, employability, female empowerment, mother and child care, art and culture among others.

Overall from my 8 years of experience I can say that structured approach towards social work often undertaken by CSR projects with frequent analysis and reporting, often leads to better utilization of funds and changes from the grass root level.

Interviewer : How do you think Vidya Bharati has impacted your life?

Mr. Nayak :  The nature of every individual is moulded during childhood.  I feel that any child who is lucky enough to get educated under Vidya Bharati will develop a well grounded and socially conscious personality leading to a disciplined and patriotic individual. My school has definitely helped me to grow into a responsible citizen and connected me to my cultural roots.

Being in a position that I am, I try to provide exposure to Vidya Bharati students in Keonjhar District of Odisha State by inviting all Vidya Bharati in the vicinity  to the annual Tata Steel Long Products Science Exhibition. It gives me immense pride and satisfaction to see students from Vidya Bharati schools participating and winning awards in the exhibition over the years with their innovative ideas.

I sincerely hope that Vidya Bharati continues to do the good work, as our country needs more socially conscious citizens to take India forward.

Vidya Bharati Purv Chatra Parishad thanks Mr. Abinash Chandra Nayak for taking out time and sharing his experiences with the community.

If you are a Vidya Bharati alumni and associated with any kind of social work, share your details at : www.vidyabharatialumni.org/social-service-survey or email us info@vidyabharatialumni.org and we will get in touch with you.