THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 24, 2026
Dalmia Bharat Foundation (DBF), the CSR arm of Dalmia Cement (Bharat)
Limited, has been conferred the ‘Distinguished Leadership Honour’ at the
National CSR Summit 2026, organised by Times Foundation at Bharat Mandapam, New
Delhi. The prestigious event was graced by the Vice President of India, C. P.
Radhakrishnan.
The award was received by Ashok Kumar Gupta, CEO, Dalmia Bharat
Foundation, in recognition of DBF’s sustained efforts in strengthening
employability, advancing inclusive education, and enabling sustainable
livelihood opportunities across communities. The recognition underscores DBF’s
continued commitment to creating inclusive growth opportunities through focused
interventions in skilling, education and rural development. Over the years, the
Foundation has worked extensively to bridge skill gaps, enhance employability
and empower underserved communities with access to meaningful livelihoods.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Kumar Gupta, CEO, Dalmia Bharat
Foundation, said: “We are truly honoured to receive this recognition. It
reflects the unwavering commitment of our teams and partners who work closely
with communities to drive meaningful and lasting impact. Over the years, DBF
has evolved into a catalyst for community transformation, equipping thousands
of individuals, particularly from underserved backgrounds with relevant skills
and access to sustainable income opportunities. We remain steadfast in our
commitment to widening our outreach and creating pathways that empower
individuals to shape their own futures and contribute to India’s growth story.”
As part of the Summit, Gupta also participated in a panel discussion
titled “Skilling: Empowering MSMEs & Youth for Sustainable Livelihoods,”
where he shared insights on the importance of industry-aligned skill
development, collaborative partnerships and strengthening local enterprise
ecosystems to drive sustainable economic growth.
Over the years, DBF’s initiatives have delivered measurable impact at scale.
Through its flagship skilling initiative, DIKSHa, the Foundation has trained
over 27,000 youth across multiple regions, equipping them with
industry-relevant competencies and significantly enhancing their employability
prospects. The WoW (Women of Worth) initiative exemplifies DBF’s innovative
approach to taking digital education and empowerment to the grassroots, with
over 4,243 individuals benefitting from digital literacy and empowerment
programmes. Additionally, the Gram Parivartan Project adopts a holistic
approach to rural transformation, with interventions spanning agriculture,
water conservation, skill development, horticulture, livestock management and
promotion of micro-enterprises, thereby strengthening community resilience and
fostering sustainable livelihoods. Through these focused and scalable
initiatives, Dalmia Bharat Foundation continues to reinforce its role as a
catalyst for inclusive development, closely aligned with national priorities of
skill enhancement, women empowerment and rural prosperity.
