Ashok Leyland, the flagship commercial vehicle manufacturer of the Hinduja Group, has been recognized with the prestigious Mother Teresa Award for Corporate Citizen of the Year 2024. The award was presented at a ceremony hosted by the Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), where Dr Palanivel Thiagarajan, Minister for Information Technology & Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, handed over the honor to Ashok Leyland’s CSR team.
Established in 1998, the Mother Teresa Award is a highly regarded recognition in India’s corporate sector, honoring organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to social responsibility, community development, and environmental sustainability. “At Ashok Leyland, corporate social responsibility is deeply embedded in our business philosophy,” said Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland. “This award reaffirms our dedication to creating a sustainable and inclusive future.”
Ashok Leyland’s Road to School and Road to Livelihood initiatives have positively impacted over 500,000 students. In the last year alone, the programs welcomed 92,000 new students, with plans to expand to another 100,000 students in FY26. Balachandar NV, Head of CSR and Corporate Affairs, emphasized the company’s commitment to long-term impact. “For us, ‘Road to School’ represents a company-wide pledge to drive real, meaningful change in students’ lives.”
Launched in 2015 in partnership with the Learning Links Foundation, the Road to School program began with 36 schools in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. Today, it spans across seven states, covering 2,505 schools and benefiting nearly 481,121 students from grades 2 to 12. The program supports academic and non-academic development, focusing on health, hygiene, emotional well-being, and sports, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Beyond education, Ashok Leyland’s CSR efforts extend to healthcare, road safety, skill development, and women’s empowerment. The company also prioritizes environmental sustainability through afforestation, water conservation, and carbon footprint reduction. The Mother Teresa Award underscores Ashok Leyland’s ongoing mission to balance economic growth with social impact, reaffirming its goal of reaching one million students across India.
Ashok Leyland, a flagship company of the Hinduja Group, is one of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers and the fourth-largest bus manufacturer in the world. With a diverse portfolio of trucks, buses, defense vehicles, and power solutions, Ashok Leyland plays a crucial role in shaping India’s transportation landscape. The company is known for its technological innovations, including alternative fuel and electric mobility solutions, ensuring efficient and sustainable transportation. With a strong global footprint and a commitment to green mobility, Ashok Leyland continues to drive progress in the commercial vehicle industry.
