Mumbai, August 11, 2025: Shri Shishir Bajaj, Chairman of Bajaj Foundation and patriarch of the Bajaj Group, has been awarded the Sarvottam Nagrik Sanman 2025 at a ceremony held at Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai. The award was presented by Meghashrey Foundation and Shrimati Seema Singh in recognition of his significant contributions to society through sustained service and initiatives that have driven meaningful change.
The event was attended by Maharashtra Governor Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council Shri Ram Shinde, Cabinet Minister of Culture Shri Ashish Shelar, and other dignitaries, along with prominent personalities including Padma Vibhushan Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Padma Bhushan Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, Padma Shri Dr. Shankar Mahadevan, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, Padma Bhushan Anupam Kher, and Padma Shri Vijender Singh.
Accepting the honour, Shri Shishir Bajaj said, “Our efforts began back in 1926 when my grandfather Shri Jamnalal Bajaj founded the group to support India’s freedom struggle. Our first sugar factory was set up in 1932 in Uttar Pradesh with a vision to make India self-sufficient in sugar production. Since then, the group has been instrumental in both business and CSR front with the common purpose of nation-building and making Indian villages Aatmanirbhar. Today, we are working in 1000 villages in Sikar, Rajasthan where my grandfather was born and in over 1000 villages in Wardha, Maharashtra where he worked for the nation, under Mahatma Gandhi’s guidance. We are working towards developing the natural and human resources, and the socio-economic development of rural India as it plays a major role in leading us to a Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat as envisioned by our Prime Minister by 2047.”
Under Shri Shishir Bajaj’s leadership, along with his sons Kushagra Bajaj and Apoorv Bajaj, Bajaj Foundation has implemented initiatives impacting over 6 lakh families and approximately 22 lakh individuals in Wardha (Maharashtra), Sikar (Rajasthan), and Lalitpur (Uttar Pradesh). Key initiatives include rainwater recharge, river rejuvenation, micro-irrigation, natural farming, horticulture, farmer training through Kisan Paathshalas, women’s empowerment via self-help groups, renewable energy adoption, and the formation of Farmer Producer Organisations to promote agro-entrepreneurship. Education programs such as Design for Change have also been introduced to foster innovation among rural youth.
The Bajaj Group, following its philosophy of “Nation Building Through Business and Service,” has established itself as a leading and diversified Indian conglomerate. Its businesses include Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Ltd., India’s largest integrated sugar company; Bajaj Energy Pvt. Ltd., which operates multiple power plants including the 1,980 MW Lalitpur Power Generation Company Limited; and Bajaj Consumer Care Ltd., market leader in the premium hair oil segment with Bajaj Almond Drops Hair Oil.
The Sarvottam Nagrik Sanman 2025, conferred on Shri Shishir Bajaj, is seen as recognition of his and the Bajaj Group’s blend of industrial growth with sustained social responsibility.
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