Fostering Responsible Leadership: SAS Foundation at FORE School’s PRERNA ’24 CSR Competition
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the idea of leadership is being redefined—not just in boardrooms or policy think tanks, but also in educational institutions, where the seeds of ethical decision-making and social impact are being sown. At the forefront of this transformative movement is the Swavalamban Avam Swabhimaan Foundation (SAS Foundation), which actively champions the values of responsibility, inclusion, and sustainability.
We are proud to share that our Joint Secretary, Ms. Jyotsana Sinha, had the distinguished honor of being invited as a jury member at PRERNA ’24, a prestigious CSR competition organized by the FORE School of Management, New Delhi. This event offered a compelling look into how India’s youth are reimagining the role of business in solving society’s toughest problems—and how CSR is evolving into a strategic, impact-driven force.
🎓 About PRERNA ’24: A Platform for Purpose-Driven Leadership
Hosted annually, PRERNA is one of FORE School of Management’s flagship events. It provides a high-impact platform for management students to conceptualize, develop, and present CSR initiatives that address real-world challenges. From climate change to rural development, from healthcare to education equity, the topics covered in PRERNA span the entire social innovation spectrum.
What makes PRERNA truly unique is its emphasis on realism and implementation. Participants are expected not only to think creatively but also to design solutions that are financially viable, sustainable, and scalable—a valuable exercise in balancing business strategy with social justice.
👩⚖️ A Judge’s Perspective: Reflections by Ms. Jyotsana Sinha
As a judge, Ms. Jyotsana Sinha brought in the depth of her years of experience in the non-profit and CSR space. Her presence was not only symbolic of SAS Foundation’s ethos but also instrumental in bridging the gap between academic theory and field reality.
During the evaluation process, she was particularly impressed by how students framed their ideas with purpose, empathy, and impact. Many of the presentations went beyond surface-level solutions and delved into policy alignment, stakeholder mapping, and ROI measurement, indicating a high level of maturity and critical thinking.
She noted:
“CSR is no longer a checklist for companies. It’s about creating meaningful, lasting change. What I witnessed at PRERNA was incredibly encouraging—young leaders who are passionate about serving communities through structured, sustainable interventions.”
💡 Noteworthy Ideas That Emerged
The CSR models presented at PRERNA ’24 were diverse, yet all grounded in a common purpose—inclusive growth. Here are just a few of the standout proposals:
- ‘Udaan’ – Empowering Girls Through Digital Literacy: A campaign targeting school-age girls in semi-urban areas, providing them with tablets, digital education platforms, and mentorship opportunities. The students developed partnerships with NGOs and corporate CSR wings to fund and execute this pilot.
- ‘GreenBytes’ – Tackling E-Waste with a Circular Economy Model: This idea focused on responsible e-waste disposal through awareness campaigns, certified recycler partnerships, and incentivized disposal programs in urban areas.
- ‘Swasthya Connect’ – AI-Powered Health Solutions for Rural India: A tech-driven solution aimed at bringing telemedicine and AI diagnostic tools to underserved villages via mobile vans equipped with IoT devices.
- ‘FoodBridge’ – Reducing Urban Food Wastage: A logistics-tech solution that reroutes unsold food from restaurants and supermarkets to nearby shelters and food banks.
Each initiative was backed by thorough research, impact metrics, budgeting, and even pilot testing, proving that students are not just imagining the future—they are building it.
🧠 Learning Through Dialogue: Q&A That Inspired
The Q&A rounds during the presentations were especially dynamic. Ms. Sinha asked the students thought-provoking questions on impact tracking, stakeholder buy-in, and ethical dilemmas, encouraging them to dig deeper into the why and how of their models.
These discussions helped participants refine their ideas and also gave the audience a masterclass in systems thinking and design for impact. CSR, as she reiterated, isn’t only about giving—it’s about designing change that can stand the test of time.
📌 Why Competitions Like PRERNA Matter
In a world where issues like climate change, inequality, digital divide, and mental health dominate headlines, businesses can no longer afford to operate in silos. The new generation of leaders needs to be equally fluent in spreadsheets and social impact metrics.
PRERNA ’24 plays a pivotal role in shaping this narrative by:
- Introducing CSR frameworks to young professionals at an early stage
- Providing a space to practice design thinking and implementation planning
- Fostering a mindset of responsibility over compliance
- Building bridges between academic institutions, NGOs, and the corporate world
For SAS Foundation, participating in such forums allows us to share our grassroots insights and simultaneously learn from the innovative thinking of students.
💬 The Way Forward: Our Commitment to Future Leaders
At SAS Foundation, we firmly believe that CSR is most powerful when led by empowered individuals with access to tools, knowledge, and empathy. This is why we remain committed to:
- Mentoring students on real-world CSR implementation
- Offering internship opportunities that blend social service with strategy
- Collaborating with institutions on case studies, bootcamps, and workshops
- Recognizing and celebrating innovation in the youth sector
We also take pride in our holistic approach to CSR, covering domains like:
- E-waste recycling & digital sustainability
- Skill development & youth empowerment
- Women’s leadership & entrepreneurship
- Rural healthcare access
- Environmental action & awareness
🌐 Conclusion: Beyond Classrooms, Toward Change
PRERNA ’24 was not just a competition. It was a mirror to the world we are striving to build—compassionate, inclusive, and accountable. Through events like these, a new CSR ecosystem is emerging: one where corporates listen, NGOs partner, and students lead with heart.
We are deeply thankful to the FORE School of Management for hosting this inspiring event, and to the students who reminded us that hope is not passive—it’s powered by action.
To all the changemakers we met at PRERNA ’24—this is just the beginning. Continue to challenge the status quo, ask the difficult questions, and build solutions that make our world a better place.
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Together, let’s turn ideas into impact. 🌍
