India Inc must work on education, health: Sonia

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today suggested that corporate India should join the public sector and civil society in facilitating social change, while outlining primary education, health and nutrition as areas where the three could collaborate.

"An alliance of the public sector and civil society is necessary for social transformation. Industry must be an integral part of such an alliance", she said at the India Economic Summit, organised by the CII and World Economic Forum here today.

There is a need for greater effort and sustained commitment by Indian industry in social initiatives...The government should develop a framework for institutionalising this collaboration...The alliance partners could also look at tackling HIV/AIDS and terrorism, Gandhi said.

The reality of India is complex, varied and full of contrasts, she said the country has moved ahead on economic growth, business and science and technology fronts, but formidable challenges remain, she added.

The session saw presentation of the Indian social entrepreneur of the year award of the Schwab Foundation to Vikram Akula, founder and CEO of SKS Microfinance, a Hyderabad-based company that applied global business practices to microfinance.

The institution has loaned over Rs 3.2 billion to four lakh women for income generating activities.