Our annual meeting Amitié
Is indeed our way to say
All media play an important role.
Good information is the goal.
The Godrej group has much to share
The media have been very fair.
Every time we have been heard.
The media then have spread the word.
This interaction is such a pleasure
Discussing everything at leisure.
Not our usual quick transaction
Tonight’s a deeper interaction.
Throughout the world you will see
The concept of philanthropy
As doing well then doing good.
But yet it should be understood
There is an even better way
As Dr. Mashelkar would say:
It’s doing well by doing good.
By Porter this was understood
As Shared Value when a fit
With social and business benefit
Is carefully thought and devised.
By FSG we were advised.
In 2010 Good and Green
Was unveiled and clearly seen
As a challenging innovation.
Of course by any estimation
Our goals were set extremely high.
We thought we should give it a try.
By 2020 we would train
A million people how to gain
A livelihood through a vocation
A desperate need in our nation.
Equally challenging goals were seen
Both for Good as well as Green.
So all of us then thought we ought to
With carbon, solid waste and water,
Not one or two but for all three
Seek nothing less than neutrality.
These goals we thought were rather steep
Nor did we think it would come cheap.
But as we worked and thought things through
We got a different point of view.
With increasing proficiency
In energy efficiency
Our costs keep falling very low
Great benefits would also flow
From buying energy that is green.
Not only is it very clean
But costs are on a downward slope
In fact it’s now the only hope
As utility rates are very high
So naturally we would now try
To take an even bigger leap
For energy that’s green and cheap.
When we develop a watershed
So many farmers can be fed.
The cost is low the gain is high
The businesses also supply
Inputs that improve the yield
Increasing wealth from the field.
We also turn waste to wealth
Promoting profit and good health.
And from organic biomass
We do produce clean biogas.
Plastics that pollute our soil
We cleverly turn into oil.
And all the people that we train
Provide a major social gain.
And very clearly one can see
That business and society
Could well march forward hand in hand.
Now all of of us should understand
This gives us so much satisfaction
But business also gains some traction.
Today both food and drink will flow
But before all of us go
Let’s exchange many views
And for a change let’s spread good news.
Just steady progress not hot sensation
Inclusive growth throughout our nation!
And don't you think it would be great
If every year we celebrate
This pillar which is the fourth estate
That serves to keep society straight.