A talk on Corporate Governance by Retd. Chief Justice of Supreme Court, Justice Altamas Kabir, at the “IDBI presents Bengal Chamber “Think”, in association with The Telegraph”, opened to a packed house.

“Corporate governance has many facets. It’s not just the question of running a company properly, or well, or for profits, following transparency, rules (and) whatever. It’s also about a certain social conscience,” Justice Kabir said. Drawing a logical correlation between acid rain and corporate governance, Justice Kabir illustrated his point as he spoke about the rapid industrialization in parts of North Europe, where natural resources were being used beyond what is required, possibly because of the lack of corporate governance, and that which had led to acid rain in parts of North America.

He also highlighted that corporate social responsibility has now been turned into a “statutory obligation” as “this is the social consciousness, which the administration feels all corporates should have”. Herein he drew the parallel of the acid rain metaphor vis-à-vis the lack of corporate social responsibility. He stressed on sustainable development, sustainable growth that should be linked with the corporate world.

After the acid rain alchemy, he drew a connection between the corporate world and the hole in the ozone layer and the emission of greenhouse gases. He stressed the need for Renewable energy, Hydel and Wind Power or “things that can always be regenerated”. The new amended act of Corporate Governance introduces this as a responsibility directly placed on corporates.

Justice Kabir concluded his lecture with a point on safety of women in workplaces as part of corporate responsibility, as he felt it was a need that had to be stressed every time there is a talk or interaction about corporate governance.

The Title Sponsor for the Event was IDBI Bank, while The Telegraph was Associate Sponsor, and Calcutta Stock Exchange & Tata Docomo were Co Sponsors for the event.