Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group and one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in India, has been conferred the Mother Teresa Award for Corporate Citizen of the Year, 2024. The award was given by Dr. Palanivel Thiagarajan, Minister for Information Technology & Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, during an award ceremony at the Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) to Ashok Leyland’s CSR team.
Laudability for Social Responsibility
First awarded in 1998, the Mother Teresa Award is among the country’s most prestigious corporate awards, recognising organisations showing exceptional commitment to social responsibility, community welfare and environmental protection.
We at Ashok Leyland are pleased to receive one more recognition,commented Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO – Ashok Leyland.
“At Ashok Leyland, the ethos of corporate social responsibility is at the core of our business philosophy. Receiving this award reaffirms our commitment to creating a sustainable and inclusive future.”
CSR Initiatives for Revolutionizing Education
Road to School and Road to Livelihood, Ashok Leyland’s flagship CSR programs, have positively influenced more than 500,000 students in the country.
- The initiative added 92,000 new students in FY24 and anticipated reaching another 100,000 students by FY26.
- Balachandar NV, Head, CSR and Corporate Affairs commented, “Our focus has been on long-term impact, and our contribution is primarily in the area of holistic development, which stands at the core of our everyday work ethos.
“We believe it is our duty to advance educational opportunities everywhere, and our ‘Road to School’ program is more than just an initiative; it’s our collective focus, across the company, to be a catalyst for change.”
Joining the Road to School Initiative
Launched in 2015 in partnership with the Learning Links Foundation, Road to School first started with 36 schools in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri District. It has since grown to seven states, which include:
- 2,505 schools
- 481,121 students in grades 2-12
Its mission is to fill educational gaps in rural and underserved communities, addressing academic and non-academic aspects of development below:
- Health & hygiene awareness
- Emotional well-being, Support
- Sports and other extracurricular activities
The program corresponds to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for quality education and health promotion.
Corporate Social Responsibility on a Holistic Level – Beyond Education
In addition to education, the CSR initiatives by Ashok Leyland SST cover:
- Health care & road safety programs
- Women empowerment projects and skill development
- Environmental sustainability initiatives like reforestation, water harvesting, and lowering carbon emissions
A Dedication to Social Development
Driven with a commitment to reach out to a million students in India, Ashok Leyland has embraced a philosophy that has created a fine balance between professional development and social upliftment thereby fortifying its position as a case study in corporate citizenship.
Pioneering change: award celebrates Ashok Leyland’s commitment to empower communities.
Source - Autocarpro
