In his lecture, he pressed on the fact that high GDP growth rates were not sustainable in the long run if businesses keep exploiting the natural resources and not replenish them. He explained the ITC Model of focusing on the Triple Bottom Line i.e. Economic Environment and Social Growth rather than isolated financial earnings. He discussed about how ITC through its various initiatives such as e-choupal and forestry programme for paper production in wasteland areas has been creating value for the society in terms of economic benefit to the rural poor and also ensuring creation of shareholdersa wealth.
He asked students to think and dream beyond the obvious and to think about the larger interest of people. With the help of showing examples of ITC way of corporate social responsibility, he stressed on development of rural India which can be the major market in years to come.