Being a business owner is more than just making money – it also needs to resonate with a higher motivation. If you lack one, maybe it is high time that you pull in the reins and ponder over it. With the pandemic bringing us face to face with the need of a stronger community, it is imperative for those in a position of taking some solid steps to give back to the society, in whichever way they can.
There can never be too many socially responsible entrepreneurs, although several are already making a difference. One of such names is Sanjeev Nanda, an international restaurateur who is also a keen philanthropist. According to him, it is important for entrepreneurs to move past taking social responsibility as a vanity project and get into a habit of making meaningful contribution to the society.
In India, Sanjeev Nanda has undertaken several community development initiatives. One of the most prominent of them is the development activities in Banjani village, a small hamlet in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Nanda, along with his wife, Medha, took note of the economic hardships faced by the residents of the village, especially women. What they did next changed the lives of the women of Banjani village forever.
Sanjeev and Medha encouraged the women to work collectively and bring forth their entrepreneurial capabilities. The result was a self-help group named Mahila Ekta Group, which helped the village women to utilize their existing skill set to procure business and reap financial benefits. The self-help group began manufacturing artisanal paper and cloth bags, which helped the women grow past a life of penury and become self-reliant.
Citing the example of activities carried out in Banjani village, Sanjeev Nanda says that social responsibility activities are not just another point on the list that needs to be tick-marked; it needs genuine connection and dedication to a cause. “When a social initiative comes from the heart, it always reaps benefits for the beneficiaries. At the end of the day, it’s not about the intensity or the scale of the initiative, it’s about the impact. Even a small pebble cast with passion can create ripples,” he says.
In a larger context, a display of social responsibility from the business owner also encourages employees and customers to engage in such activities. When a large number of people passionately subscribe to this ethos, it will also become a second nature to them pretty quick. The result will be the creation of a community that looks after its own through cooperation and respect.