New Delhi
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday declared that sustainability is no longer just a slogan but an urgent necessity, calling on the corporate sector to factor in environmental costs alongside profits. She was addressing the 12th National Students’ Convocation 2025 of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) in the national capital.
Highlighting the intensifying climate crisis, President Murmu urged a paradigm shift in the way businesses operate, stating, “The time is over for corporates to function with the sole objective of profit-making. Environmental responsibility must be an integral part of decision-making.”
She emphasized the important role cost accountants can play in shaping a more sustainable future. “You are not just managing accounts, but also accountability—for the environment and the future,” she said, urging young professionals to become catalysts of ethical and ecological transformation.
During the same event, Corporate Affairs Secretary Deepti Gaur Mukerjee also addressed the gathering, encouraging cost and management accountants to embrace innovation, agility, and technological advancements. She stated that the profession would be instrumental in India’s journey toward becoming a $30 trillion economy.
Murmu’s remarks come amid rising global concern over environmental degradation and the push for green economics. Her statement is seen as a call to action for India’s business and financial leaders to integrate sustainability into the heart of corporate strategies.
The convocation was attended by students, academicians, and professionals, all of whom were urged to commit to building a future where economic growth aligns with environmental responsibility.