Well-being must be at the core of all organisations: Neerja Birla
Neerja Birla emphasizes that well-being must be integrated into organizational design from the start to achieve a holistic approach.
Neerja Birla, the Founder and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, has called for a fundamental shift in how companies approach employee welfare. Speaking at the CII Wellbeing Summit 2026, she emphasized that well-being should not be an afterthought or a secondary addition to corporate policy. Instead, it must be integrated into the very foundation of an organization from the initial design and planning stages.
A Holistic Approach Beyond Physical Health
Birla highlighted that the current corporate perception of well-being is often fragmented. Many organizations tend to view health in "silos," focusing primarily on physical fitness while neglecting other critical aspects of human health.
According to Birla, a truly comprehensive approach to well-being must encompass several interconnected dimensions:
- Physical Health: The traditional focus on bodily fitness and medical care.
- Mental Health: Addressing psychological stability and cognitive health.
- Emotional Health: Managing feelings and emotional resilience.
- Spiritual Health: Finding purpose and inner peace.
"Well-being is a combination of very various different dimensions actually. There's physical, there's mental, there's emotional, there's spiritual…and I think it's a combination of all that actually gives you the whole perspective of well-being," Birla stated, noting that these elements must be integrated to be effective.
CII's Role in Driving Corporate Change
As India progresses toward the vision of "Viksit Bharat," Birla stressed that the health and stability of the workforce will be paramount. She identified the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as a pivotal force in this transition, noting that its extensive network provides a unique platform for corporate India to share best practices and learn from one another.
The summit highlighted the introduction of a new well-being charter by the CII. Birla described this charter as a vital instrument for companies looking to embed wellness into their daily operations and structural design. She expressed optimism that the CII's vast membership would lead to widespread adoption of this charter, making well-being an intrinsic part of the organizational operating system across the country.