The 8th C K Prahalad Memorial Lecture on “Climate Crisis & Bio Diversity Preservation Challenge: Role of Industry and Civil Society” organized by Ananta Aspen Centre and Confederation of Indian Industry, honoured Prof.Krishnarao Prahalad’s role in nation building through responsible and value driven business leadership.
Jamshyd N Godrej, Past President, CII & Chairman, Ananta Aspen Centre & Chairman, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Ltd delivered the Lecture in a gathering which was attended by more than 350 participants from diverse background including senior members from industry, institutions, members of civil society, IWN and Yi. Dr.Naushad Forbes, Past President, CII & Chairman, India@75 Foundation and Co-Chairman, Forbes Marshall Pvt Ltd also addressed the gathering. This edition of the Memorial Lecture was special as it was held in Coimbatore which is the birthplace of the visionary leader.
Jamshyd N Godrej in his lecture, recalled the efforts and counsel of Prof C K Prahalad towards building institutions like World Resources Institute that continue to take efforts in the areas of urbanisation, urban transport and energy. He emphasised that global warming and degradation of biodiversity as key factors towards climate change. He stated that “Climate change is not just a crisis of our time but also of our future” and cited recent biodiversity report highlighting that, more than 80% of the known species of flora and fauna have become extinct, which has gone unnoticed by a common man. He further added that, though India is not subjected to severe dangers such as desertification and land degradation, recent occurrences of floods and water scarcity pose as an indicator of the upcoming threats and expressed the general indifference shown by humans towards deteriorating biodiversity of marine ecosystem.
In line with the vision provided by Prof C K Prahalad, Godrej highlighted his contributions towards the establishment of CII Green Business Centre that is working in the area of Green Buildings and Energy Management. He highlighted that the Green Business Centre has provided green ratings for around 2000 companies.
He encouraged the industries and individuals, alike, to focus on the importance of water recycling and reuse, and urged the law makers to work on the aspect of water regulation. He also added that, though our country is facing critical problems like poverty, the fundamental problem of environmental deterioration should not be forgotten or underestimated.Earlier, while introducing Godrej to the participants, Dr Forbes spoke on the connection between Prof C K Prahalad and Coimbatore, which extended well beyond family heritage and business. He went on to point out the common inherent quality between the city and the visionary in terms of promoting investments in technology, environment and education. Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Chairman, CII Southern Region in his opening remarks highlighted the vision provided by Prof C K Prahalad in the transformation of Indian Industry. He highlighted on the India@75 Vision of Prof C K Prahalad, based on which efforts were undertaken and still continuing towards creating a better India, focused on Environmental Sustainability and Value based Leadership.
Rajan Navani, Chairman, CII’s India@75 Council, highlighted Prof C K Prahalad’s tremendous passion towards the development of the nation in its path towards attaining ‘Sampoorna Azadi’ or Complete Independence.