V. R. Hari Balaji’s Groundbreaking Work in Disaster Management Catalyzes a National Transformation
May 15, 2025: What began as a formal awards night in Chennai turned into a defining moment for India’s future in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and human resource (HR) development. The CSR & HR Awards 2025, organized by the Women’s League Foundation (WLF) on May 3 at the IITM Research Park and later at the Minister’s residence on Greenways Road, marked not just recognition—but a call to rebuild India’s impact models from the ground up.
Beyond the Applause: A Movement is Born
Traditionally celebrated as a platform for honoring outstanding professionals, this year’s awards sparked something deeper—a collective awakening among India’s CSR and HR leaders. The event catalyzed a shift in mindset: from awards as endpoints to awards as entry points for national change.
The event’s breakout voice was V. R. Hari Balaji, a Disaster Management and Urban Sanitation Expert, whose work across Indian states and global regions embodies proactive resilience rather than reactive relief. His approach: systemic preparedness, institutional collaboration, and community empowerment.
V. R. Hari Balaji: Leading the Shift from Relief to Resilience
Awarded the Excellence in Disaster Management – Awareness and Impact, Hari Balaji is no stranger to the field. With hands-on work in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, and West Bengal, and professional experience spanning the USA, Switzerland, Kuwait, Singapore, and India, he has consistently channeled his global insights into local systems.
Currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Disaster Management at Saveetha School of Law, and holding a PG Diploma from the Swiss Hotel Management School and MBA from Sri Ramachandra Institute, Hari Balaji reflected during his acceptance:
“Awards fade. Impact doesn’t. My mission was never about applause, but about preventing the emergencies before they erupt. That’s why I came back to India—because real change starts here.”
A New National Roadmap: Strategy Over Symbolism
During his keynote, Hari Balaji unveiled a transformative vision for CSR and HR in India:
•Predictive Disaster Governance using cutting-edge tech and early warning systems
•Strengthening Pre-Crisis Inter-Agency Coordination to replace post-crisis firefighting
•Empowering Sanitation Workers as Community First Responders, not just laborers
•Raising Dignity & Safety Standards for India’s often-overlooked sanitation workforce
These steps aim to move India away from fragmented, short-lived efforts and toward long-term, data-driven systemic change.
The Launch of the ‘CSR & HR Changemakers’ Platform
The pivotal moment of the evening was the launch of the CSR & HR Changemakers Platform—India’s first structured framework to turn annual ceremonies into sustained collective action.
Mr. C. V. Ganesan, Minister for Labour Welfare & Skill Development, and Mr. Veera Raghava Rao, I.A.S., officially launched the platform, setting in motion a new era of integrated public-private collaboration.
Divya Swapna Raj, WLF Founder and Chairperson of the Changemakers Platform, emphasized:
“India needs more than symbolic CSR. It needs continuous, measurable, and community-driven engagement that aligns boardroom strategies with real-world outcomes.”
Champions Behind the Platform
Four sectoral leaders will steer this ambitious initiative:
•V. R. Hari Balaji – Disaster Governance & Urban Sanitation Advocate
•Charles Godwin – HR Leader, Zoho; Champion of People-First Workplaces
•Bindhu Nayarath – VP – HR, Casagrand; Driving Workforce Empowerment
•Sonia Janardhan Suvarna – HR Manager, ICSR, IIT Madras; Bridging Academia & Industry
From Ideas to Execution: The Platform’s Core Imperatives
1.Connecting Corporate Vision to Community Realities
2.Turning Conversations into Scalable Projects
3.Creating Robust Public-Private Ecosystems
The platform sets out not just to recognize changemakers, but to institutionalize change itself—through nationwide consultations, capacity-building efforts, and strategic alliances across sectors.
The Real Work Begins
The curtain has fallen on the awards ceremony, but the spotlight now shines on action. As India looks ahead to 2025 and beyond, it’s clear that the next phase of CSR and HR evolution will not be measured in trophies—but in lives impacted, systems built, and resilience strengthened.
