ITC:The Indian Tobacco Major’s Corporate Social Responsibilities and Sustainable Initiatives for Ethical Leadership

ITC is a global exemplar in sustainable business practices and is the only in the world, of comparable dimensions to be 'carbon positive', 'water positive' and 'solid waste recycling' positive. ITC businesses generate livelihoods for around 6 million people, many of whom represent the poorest in Rural India. The pioneering farmer empowerment initiative, ITC e- Choupal, is today the world's largest rural digital infrastructure and is a case study at the Harvard Business School besides receiving several global awards. Under the leadership of Y.C. Deveshwar, the group carried forwards this legacy and consolidated its businesses further in India while also acquiring a global footprint. ITC Group had managed to build its empire emphasizing the twin pillars of "diversification" and "sustainable development" - so much so that these had become a key aspect of the ITC brand.ITC has transformed itself from a leading cigarette manufacturer to an umbrella group which offers a diversified product mix to enhance its brand image and reduce dependency on tobacco - related products.