Sell a meal and donate it too

An Indian entrepreneur can probably gain a few brownie points for cheekily standing up to an international brand on some issues, but he would be very hard-pressed to avoid furthering social justice, no matter how wronged he feels. Hence, the Delhi High Court must be commended for passing an order that simply cannot be refused or avoided, on a dispute between a restaurant chain and an iconic foreign luxury brand. Going to a higher court to contest the imposition of a Rs 20 lakh fine is one thing, but if that amount is decreed to be paid in kind by providing mid-day meals and sanitary napkins to schools and orphanages, which person with a social conscience could possibly refuse? That the court specifically directed the restaurant chain to also install and service a water purifier in an orphanage is another pointer to how such cases can serve a societal purpose.

While the stipulated amount would hardly make a difference to either company’s bank balances, the collateral accrual of ‘punya points’ could stand both sides in good stead in the future. Given this intangible but important fringe benefit, similar cases could even be more speedily disposed of if contributions to social causes become the standard penalty. And for this restaurateur with an avowedly ‘social’ business, this will be a chance to sell a meal and donate some too.