33rd JRD Tata Oration on Business Ethics held at XLRI – A Legacy of Thought Leadership in Responsible Business

The event commenced with the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by an introduction to the XLRI J.R.D. Tata Foundation for Business Ethics by Dr. (Fr.) Joseph Mathew, S.J., Chairperson of the Foundation. He emphasized that the Foundation, established in 1991, continues to promote ethical practices inspired by Jesuit values and the exemplary conduct of J.R.D. Tata, fostering research, leadership and global collaboration in ethical business.

Dr. (Fr.) Sebastian George, S.J., Director of XLRI, introduced the orator, highlighting Dr. Pradhan’s distinguished career as President of WFEB and his global contributions to promoting ethics in business, AI governance and anti-corruption.

Delivering the oration, Dr. Pradhan underscored that ethics is not an impediment to business success but its very foundation. Through historical examples like J.R.D. Tata’s corporate stewardship, Johnson & Johnson’s Tylenol recall, and Patagonia’s sustainability campaigns, he illustrated how ethical conduct drives long-term value creation. In contrast, he cited corporate failures such as the Volkswagen emissions scandal and the 2008 financial crisis as reminders of the cost of moral compromise.

Dr. Pradhan explained that the World Forum for Ethics in Business represents a “third wave” of ethical evolution—beyond compliance and CSR, where conscience-based leadership aligns profit with purpose. He elaborated on WFEB’s focus on three critical frontiers: AI Ethics, Regenerative Climate Action, and Anti-Corruption, proposing frameworks like bias audits, watermarking, integrity pacts, and regenerative business charters. Using a metaphor of a “three-layer cake,” he linked tangible value creation, leadership transformation, and inner conviction as key elements of building ethical organizations.

Following the address, Dr. Sanjay Patro, Dean (Academics), delivered the vote of thanks, reiterating XLRI’s commitment to nurturing leaders guided by conscience and competence.