October 04, 2024 – Dr. Ramachandra N Galla, Founder and visionary leader of the Amara Raja Group, has been recognized with the esteemed Mahatma Award for Lifetime Achievement. The Mahatma Award is the highest honor for social impact leaders and change-makers, who are working towards making this world a better place. It honors the most accomplished social impact efforts and initiatives within the private, public, and development sectors, from sustainability to philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.
The Mahatma Award was presented to Dr. Galla by Dr. Kiran Bedi, First Lady IPS Officer and Ex. Lt. Governor, Puducherry along with Ms Nayantara Sehgal, Eminent Writer, Niece of PM Shri Jawahar Lal Nehru, Amit Sachdeva, Founder, Mahatma Award, and Mrs. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson, Aditya Birla Centre for Rural Development and Community Initiative.
The Mahatma Award is supported by the Aditya Birla Group, and since its inception, has honoured more than 250 change making organizations and impact leaders across various categories and sectors. Some of the notable past recipients are Mr. Ratan Tata, Mr. Azim Premji, Ms Sabana Azmi among others. The nominees go through a selection committee and the honor is given after thorough evaluation.
The event was held at the Mahatma Gandhi Samadhi Resting Place, Rajghat, New Delhi, on October 1, 2024, and celebrated individuals and organizations that have made transformative contributions to society in line with Mahatma Gandhi’s values of selfless service and community welfare.
Dr. Galla’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing Amara Raja Group as a trailblazer in sustainable and responsible business practices. His vision for integrating corporate growth with social impact has empowered rural communities across India through various CSR initiatives run under the Rajanna Foundation, particularly in education, healthcare, rural employment and environmental sustainability.
Through Galla Foods, a key division of the group, Dr. Galla has championed sustainable agriculture by directly working with farmers to improve their livelihoods. The group’s CSR efforts extend to uplifting rural communities through skill development, water conservation, and environmental preservation, ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared with society.
Dr. Galla expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am deeply honored to receive the Mahatma Award for Lifetime Achievement. This recognition reinforces our commitment to driving business success and creating a positive and lasting impact on society. At Amara Raja, we believe in the trusteeship of resources and have always worked towards uplifting communities through meaningful initiatives.”
Dr. Galla’s recognition in this prestigious category further strengthens his legacy as a leader whose work embodies the principles of ethical leadership and community empowerment espoused by Mahatma Gandhi.