<div><p><em><strong>Over 100 CFOs from the city participated in the prestigious event, reports Suchetana Ray</strong></em></p></div><div>After successfully launching CFO Forums in Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi, YES Bank launched the Ahmedabad Chapter of their National CFO Forum on Friday (07 August), at a glittering event attended by prominent business leaders of the city.</div><div><br>Conceptualised in 2011, YES Bank-National CFO Forum focuses on recognising and appreciating the indispensable role of the CFO in an organisation and has seen active participation from over 600 members from the CFO community across the country. The forum has been conceptualised in the form of chapters across India, with the Mumbai Chapter launched in September 2011.</div><div> </div><div>Speaking about the event, Rana Kapoor, MD & CEO, YES Bank said, "This highly interactive Forum brings together theastute and visionary leaders who have emerged as strategists in the execution of corporate vision and strategy. I believe that the evolving role of a Chief Financial Officer in today's business scenario will not only drive an organization's success but also propel CSR as a mainstream function of it. Through this Forum, we encourage greater participation of the CFOs in the knowledge economy of India."</div><div> </div><div>The Ahmedabad Chapter witnessed active participation from over 100 CFOs from the city. R S Sodhi, Managing Director, GCMMF Ltd or Amul inaugurated the event. This was followed by a panel discussion on "CFO's role in balancing CSR and Profitability — Creating a Sustainable Ecosystem".<br><br>The panelists in the session were S B Dangyach, Managing Director, Sintex Industries Ltd., R J Joshipara, CFO, Nirma Group, Namita Vikas, Senior President & Country Head, Responsible Banking, YES Bank, Sunil Parekh, Strategic Advisor, Zydus,Jubilant Group and Parag Desai, Managing Director, Wahg Bakri.</div><div> </div><div>While the panel discussion dwelled on the scope and laws for CSR in India, it also highlighted the need to adopt it as not an obligation but a necessary activity of a company. The panelists also stressed on the need to ensure transparency among companies in the spend in social responsibilities. RS Sodhi in his speech highlighted the need for companies to understand the importance of giving back to society and not treat CSR as just another number in balance sheets. While some panelists spoke about the need for a regulator for ensuring transparency in CSR, others contradicted by saying that more regulations will only add to red tape, stressing on the need to keep CSR as a voluntary activity of a company.</div><div> </div><div>The next stop for this CFO Forum is Chennai, later in August and then Hyderabad in September.</div>
