"The CSR activities should combine the philosophy of Saemaul Movement," said Sandip Kumar Mishra, a professor at the University of Delhi, at the FICCI CSR Summit and Awards - 2015 held at FICCI, New Delhi, on Tuesday./ Photographed by Ha Man-joo

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By Ha Man-joo, New Delhi correspondent, AsiaToday - An Indian scholar has said that the CSR activities of the Indian companies should be combined with the philosophy of New Community Movement or Saemaul Movement of Korea.

"The CSR activities are making meaningful results, but there are limits to earn the community members' hearts," said Sandip Kumar Mishra, a professor of Asian studies at the University of Delhi, at the FICCI CSR Summit and Awards held in New Delhi on Tuesday. "Earning hearts is not a matter of money, but mind-set."

Prof. Mishra delivered a lecture on "The Lessons of Saemaul Movement on CSR" at the FICCI CSR Summit and Awards.

He said, "Through the Saemaul Movement, the government created an environment where people can voluntarily make decisions and purse joint projects to promote the culture of 'self-help' and 'can do' spirits. The CSR should leave the recognition that it is the burden of companies under legal responsibility and should be upgraded one step further to allow participants change their minds and let them be self-reliable in the community."

He pointed out that CSR activities and Saemaul Movement of Korean companies in India are still in the stage of giving financial support, such as providing educational opportunities and inviting to Korea. Then he said, "Because it was accompanied by mindset change, Saemaul Movement became a community movement that is now a good example for not only rural areas but also urban cities and countries around the world, including India. This has provided important lessons and guidelines on CSR."

Korean Ambassador to India Jo Hyun delivers a congratulatory speech at the FICCI CSR Summit and Awards - 2015 held at FICCI, New Delhi, on Tuesday. He said, "The Saemaul Movement's 'can do' spirit gave a revolutionary change to the Korean society and economy," drawing a big round of applause./ Photographed by Ha Man-joo

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Prior to prof. Mishra's lecture, Korean Ambassador to India Jo Hyun delivered a congratulatory speech at the summit. He said, "The Saemaul Movement was not a mere investment of the government budget on rural areas but motivated Korean people to succeed and dedicate themselves to work hard for the community with responsibility. The 'can do' spirit' was the driving force behind the revolutionary change of Korean society and economy."

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) has selected Korea as a partner country of this year's "CSR Summit", where it highlighted the Saemaul Movement and the CSR activities of Korean companies in India.

The Indian government implemented new CSR guidelines in April last year requiring companies to spend 2% of their net profit on social development.