The 1st Gen. K. S. Thimayya Memorial Lecture was held on Saturday, December 17, 2005 at the J. R. D. Tata Auditorium, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore 560 012, at 6:00 p.m. The event commemorated the 40th death anniversary of one of India’s greatest Generals. The keynote address was delivered by Nandan M. Nilekani on “Corporate Social Responsibility: Emerging Leadership Trends & Issues”.

Mr. Nilekani - the keynote speaker – is the CEO, President & Managing Director of Infosys Technologies Ltd., India’s flagship IT company, and is one of its co-founders. Amongst several accolades to his credit, Mr. Nilekani along with Infosys Chairman & co-founder Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy, received the Fortune magazine’s prestigious ‘Asia’s Businessmen of the Year 2003’ award. He is an alumnus of IIT (Bombay) and an illustrious Old Cottonian (1967).

Mr. Nilekani’s exhaustive address touched upon the various facets of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) including the ethical, philanthropic and environmental, as well as CSR advocacy. He pointed out the effect of CSR models on the corporate sector at large, by setting trends for others to follow as well as creating pressure in the system by provoking curiosity of shareholders of other companies who then debate the feasibility of CSR with their respective managements.

The keynote address was followed by a stimulating Q & A session, when Mr. Nilekani deftly handled questions ranging from Corporate-Government intercourse and sustainable development, to career planning and role of corporates in education. The Lecture was followed by a Fellowship dinner, with over 200 guests in attendance. Earlier, after the introduction of Gen. Thimayya, Mr. Balraj, Former Principal, Bishop Cotton Boys’ School (1970-1985) introduced Mr. Nilekani.

The guests in attendance included distinguished Old Cottonians such as Air Marshal M. S. D. Wollen (Retd.), Maj. Gen. Sultan Mahmood (Retd.), Dilip Thakore, Akbar Khaleeli, C. V. Ranganathan, M. G. Muthanna, Professors P. R. Kumar & Vijay Kumar, Dr. B. D. Chengappa, Dr. Nandakumar Jayram, V. P. Mahendra, M. N. Chitiappa, Rev. Kiran Sebastian, and several others. Other eminent guests included Maj. Gen. & Mrs. Chengappa (Gen Thimayya’s son-in-law and daughter) and their son K. C. Belliappa & his fiancée Nicole, Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy & Mrs. Sudha Murthy, Mrs. Rohini Nilekani, Ramchandra Guha and officers from the Kumaon regiment which Gen. Thimayya commanded. Former Principals of the School – Mr. Balraj and Dr Samuel (& his wife Dr. Mrs. Samuel), and several Masters (Dr. Iqbal Ahmed & Mr. M S Shankar included) & Teachers also attended.

The event was webcast live over the internet to Old Cottonians all over the world, courtesy Webex (India).

Click here to view the webcast from the 2005 lecture series (Courtesy Webex Systems).

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