Last week in a meeting the concept of CSR was discussed. The discussion point was what is a good CSR project? And, the consensus that emerged was “sustainability of a project” and not the project itself.

This reminded me of the “navnidhis” mentioned in Hanuman Chalisa, which talks about eight types of wealth (ashta laxmi) and nine types of sustainability of that wealth.

Navnidhi (nine types)

1. “Padma” when the impact lasts forever
2. “Maha Padma” when the impact lasts for seven generations (140 years)
3. “Neel or sapphire” when the impact lasts for up to three generations (60 years)
4. “Mukund” when the impact lasts for only one generation (20 years)
5. “Nand” when the project is done primarily for personal gains
6. “Makara or crocodile”: when the project is done for a negative outcome
7. “Kacchap or tortoise”: When the project is of no use to the society
8. “Shankh” When the project helps the investigator but harms others
9. “Khar or dwarf”: When the project limits and binds the researcher in doing further work. 

The aim of the project therefore should be to have an impact lasts from 20-140 years and should be for the welfare of the society. The project should be reproducible, affordable, sustainable and of use to all.

The project should also be evaluated using the ashta laxmi: Dhan laxmi (utility of the project in raising money); Dhanya laxmi (utility for environmental and agriculture health); Vijya laxmi (awards won); Gaja laxmi (HR team building); Vidya laxmi (lessons learnt); Santana laxmi (building second on command); Dhairya laxmi (patience earned) and Adi laxmi (sum total of all).

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA