New Council Poised to Accelerate Sustainable Development and Responsible Business in India
NEW DELHI (India CSR): Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-Founder and Chairperson – Sustainability at ReNew Pvt. Ltd., has been elected as the new President of the UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI) for the 2025–2027 term. Known for her leadership in climate action and corporate sustainability, Sinha’s appointment marks a decisive step forward in aligning Indian business with global sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Recognized as a leading voice in sustainability and climate action in India, Sinha brings over a decade of experience in renewable energy and ESG leadership. Her presidency is expected to infuse a renewed focus on climate stewardship, inclusion, and ethical governance.
The UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI) has officially announced its newly elected Governing Council for the 2025–2027 term, marking a significant milestone in the country’s corporate sustainability journey. The new council, composed of distinguished leaders from across industries and regions, is expected to amplify the network’s mission of promoting responsible business practices aligned with the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Rusen Kumar, Founder, India CSR said, “I extend my warmest congratulations to the newly elected Governing Council of UN GCNI. Their combined experience and leadership will undoubtedly accelerate India’s journey towards sustainable development and responsible business practices. India CSR looks forward to closely following their initiatives and supporting their mission towards building a more sustainable future.”
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Regional Vice Presidents Reflect India’s Diversity
To ensure regional representation and inclusivity, four leaders have been elected as Vice Presidents:
- North: Rishi K Chawla, Vice President – Corporate Affairs, Carlsberg India Pvt. Ltd.
- East: Adhip Pal Chaudhuri, Chairman & Managing Director, Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd.
- West: Sanjeev Verma, Head – Environment, Health & Safety, GRASIM Industries Ltd. (Aditya Birla Group)
- South: Thakur S Pherwani, Chief Sustainability Officer, TVS Motor Company
These appointments bring regional insights and perspectives into the national sustainability dialogue.
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Secretarial and Financial Oversight Strengthened
- Secretary: Ganesh Reddy, Founder & CEO, Citizens Foundation – a known name in grassroots development.
- Joint Secretary: Abhishek Ranjan, Senior Director & Global Head – ESG, Brillio; Managing Trustee, Brillio Foundation.
- Treasurer: Dr. Nitin Dumasia, President & CEO, Growlity Inc., who will oversee financial governance and transparency for the network.
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Council Members Enrich the Leadership Pool
The Governing Council also includes several eminent professionals from academia, business, and sustainability sectors:
- Gagandeep Bhullar, Founder & CEO, SuperHumanRace
- Ajit Parulekar, Director, Goa Institute of Management (GIM)
- Sridhar L., AVP & Head – ESG, Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL)
- Jitendra K. Sarawgi, Managing Partner, JKSS & Associates
Their collective experience spans ESG, circular economy, public policy, education, and climate resilience.
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UN GCNI Sets Bold Vision for the Future
UN GCNI stated that the newly elected council embodies the spirit of collaboration and impact. “With this vibrant and experienced leadership team, we are confident of pushing the boundaries of sustainability and responsible business action across the country,” said the secretariat in an official release.
The organization emphasized its continued commitment to aligning corporate action with global goals and enabling Indian businesses to lead by example on climate action, equity, and corporate integrity.
(India CSR)
