To ‘Give’ is to ‘Receive’

Life, if reduced to just a pursuit of paycheques, possessions and personal pleasures, becomes a narrow journey. True fulfilment emerges when we step out of our comfort zones and contribute meaningfully to the world around us.

Hence, the theme of our anniversary issue is ‘Going Beyond Work’, meaning, life is not just about earning a livelihood and seeking happiness in materialistic comforts and acquisitions. It is not about flaunting all that you can buy with money to enhance your social and economic status. Life is not all about ‘I, Me, Myself’, constantly seeking happiness and pleasure for oneself and one's family. Life should be beyond taking salaries and self-goals. It should be about 'giving'.

In this milestone issue, we showcase 11 remarkable individuals who embody this philosophy. They do not have any organisational foundations to back them financially, but choose to pursue humanitarian work self-goals, in their own individual capacity. Each one of them steps outside their professional and personal bubbles to serve society. Their work is not about recognition, but about responsibility. In return, they testify to an intense, immeasurable inner satisfaction; something no material reward could ever equal.

This spirit of ‘Going Beyond Work’ is at the heart of our cover story, and we hope it inspires you to pause, reflect, and perhaps begin your own journey of giving. Because life becomes truly meaningful when it extends beyond our homes and families to touch the lives of others.

As we celebrate 11 years of Corporate Citizen, we are also proud to present the curtain raiser of The Indian Media Barometer 2025, held in September and hosted by Sri Balaji University, Pune (SBUP). This unique, closed-door brainstorming conclave by senior media persons, brings together voices to reflect on the state of Indian media—a timely and much-needed dialogue. We are delighted to have played a role in scripting this pioneering initiative. The final report is being released at our Corporate Citizen anniversary event on 15 November, 2025 at the SBUP campus in Pune and you all are welcome to attend it.

On this milestone occasion, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, our readers. Your trust and encouragement have fuelled our mission of positive journalism, a vision conceptualised by our late Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. (Col.) A Balasubramanian. His belief that the media should inspire and uplift continues to guide every issue we publish. In fact, he was a philanthrophist, quietly having donated for various causes.