Recognised for Transformative CSR Leadership and Nation-building Vision
NEW DELHI (India CSR): In a significant recognition of leadership in corporate social responsibility (CSR), Dr. Leena Deshpande, Head of CSR at Bharat Forge Limited, was honoured with the “India CSR Person of the Year” award at the 16th India CSR Summit— themed “CSR for Future-ready Economy: Aligning Business with SDGs” brought together country’s leading CSR professionals, corporate leaders, and social sector stalwarts — was held on 21 November 2025 in New Delhi.
Following this, Dr. Deshpande delivered the keynote address, setting the tone for the evening with her compelling insights on the evolving role of CSR in nation-building.
By steering Bharat Forge’s CSR strategy with clarity, empathy and precision, Dr. Deshpande has helped build a strong foundation for inclusive growth. Her work reflects a deep commitment to connecting corporate strengths with community aspirations. The award not only celebrates her individual achievements but also reaffirms the role of CSR as a vital component of a future-ready economy.
Widely regarded as one of the most respected recognitions in the sector, the India CSR Person of the Year Award celebrates individuals who demonstrate visionary leadership, measurable impact, and unwavering commitment to inclusive development. Dr. Deshpande’s recognition reflects her transformative role in steering Bharat Forge’s CSR strategy towards measurable, scalable, and sustainable community advancement.
The summit commenced with a welcome note by Rusen Kumar, Founder and Editor of India CSR, who emphasised the importance of strategic and future-focused CSR in shaping India’s development landscape.
This was followed by Dr. Deshpande’s keynote address, after which she received the award in the presence of distinguished leaders including – Rusen Kumar, Founder and Editor of India CSR; Sushil Bhalchandra Mungekar, Founder and CEO of ENpower; veteran social work leader Sita Ram Gupta; Adv. Sadiya Rohma Khan, practising advocate at the Delhi High Court and District Courts and Tribunals; and Dr. Sanjay Gandhi, Managing Director of Aspire Knowledge & Skills India Pvt. Ltd. Their presence added stature to the ceremony and recognition to the contribution of Bharat Forge in the CSR ecosystem.
In her keynote address at the summit, Dr. Deshpande highlighted how Bharat Forge is contributing to the Indian economy through skills development, rural transformation, sustainable water systems, and social infrastructure that enable communities to participate in economic growth. She emphasised that CSR at Bharat Forge is not treated as a compliance requirement but as a strategic investment in people, society, and India’s economic progress. She also reaffirmed that the company’s long-term CSR commitment strengthens both national competitiveness and grassroots empowerment.
Under her leadership, Bharat Forge has built its CSR vision around five core pillars: water management for agriculture and drinking needs, internal road development, livelihood creation, education, and healthcare. This framework has shaped some of the company’s most acclaimed rural development programmes. Bharat Forge has implemented large-scale interventions across more than 100 villages in Maharashtra. Bharat Forge has also expanded its CSR work to the North-East region of India with long-term social vision.
As Bharat Forge emphasised its philosophy of “Human Engineering,” describes as “the art of deeply understanding community needs and weaving customised solutions — much like the intricate process of cloth weaving.” This human-centric approach has become a hallmark of Bharat Forge’s CSR identity.
“Dr. Leena Deshpande’s recognition as India CSR Person of the Year reflects her deep commitment to transforming communities through thoughtful, long-term and inclusive development. Her leadership demonstrates how CSR, when rooted in empathy and strategy, can shape a stronger and more equitable India. We are proud to honour a leader whose work inspires the entire CSR fraternity.” — Rusen Kumar, Founder & Editor, India CSR
“Her work demonstrates how corporate responsibility, when executed with empathy, data-driven planning, and community-driven collaboration, can reshape lives at scale.”, Rusen Kumar added.
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