The pandemic has had a severe impact on the global economy just as it has had on ours. Thanks to massive financial assistance in various forms from the government, the economy is back on track somewhat. Our private sector has shown great resilience and creativity by finding new ways to keep the wheels of factories running and make way for our exports and imports in the world market.

 In all economic crises, the poor are hit disproportionately harder than others. Following this global pattern, the poor and the marginalised in our country saw years of progress being wiped out in months. Numerous laudable initiatives were taken up by the government, NGOS, professional bodies, clubs, etc., to support these people. One not very well-known outcome to emerge from this struggle was the corporate sector stepping up to help the most needy. Many corporate houses came forward with direct assistance programmes and many tailored their CSR projects to this end.

 The Daily Star has long followed these developments and covered them to build awareness of the role of the corporate sector in this crisis. In furtherance of our goal, we have decided to launch the CSR Awards that will recognise the best CSR project in the country each year. In order to popularise the concept of corporate social responsibility, we have organised 8 regional seminars whose brief description is given below. It is our hope that more and more corporate houses will establish their own CSR projects and will divert more of their resources to fulfill their CSR. After all, we must prove that our business leaders have truly placed PURPOSE over PROFIT in their business goals to fight and win against this crisis.