Shree Cement has been announced as the Gold Award recipient at the CSR Times Awards 2026, honoured in the Rural & Infrastructure Development category for its consistent efforts to create lasting community benefit and improve everyday life across its areas of operation. The award ceremony was held at the 13th National CSR & ESG Summit 2026, at Le Méridien, New Delhi, organised around the theme "Role of Responsible Businesses for Inclusive Bharat."
Accepting the award on behalf of Shree Cement was Vishal Bhardwaj, the company's Head of CSR, who received the Gold trophy along with a Commendation Card. It was presented by H.E. Ms. Sena Latif, Ambassador of the Republic of Romania to India, together with Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, former Director General & CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs and Jury Chairman of the CSR Times & Bharat ESG Awards. The event was attended by policymakers, diplomats and sustainability experts, including Union Minister for Culture & Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Management Weighs In on the Recognition
Following the win, Shree Cement's Managing Director Neeraj Akhoury tied the honour to the company's long-running focus on responsible growth, pointing out that lasting progress isn't just about the plants and facilities a company constructs, but about the real change it brings to the people who live around them. He noted the company would keep supporting programmes aimed at inclusive, resilient development in the years to come.
That thinking is showing up clearly in how Shree Cement is carrying out its newest greenfield project — the Shree Cement Meghalaya plant in East Jaintia Hills, where community-focused work has been planned in step with construction rather than added on afterward.
CSR Chief Vishal Bhardwaj Gains Wider Recognition
The award marks a further step in the growing profile of Vishal Bhardwaj, who has significantly expanded the company's CSR activity since taking on the role. Under his direction, Shree Cement has adopted what it describes as a combined strategy for CSR and green energy investment — a strategy the CSR Times jury pointed to specifically this year.
This national recognition mirrors a trend already visible in Meghalaya, where Shree Cement's community programmes have been steadily reported on by regional media as the plant approaches commissioning.
Linking the Award to Meghalaya
A large part of the effort behind this award has taken shape in East Jaintia Hills, where Shree Cement has brought its Shree Swasthya Vahini healthcare programme — set up with the Aster DM Foundation — into the district, building on a model already running in Rajasthan's Beawar belt. The company has also introduced eye-screening camps and ambulance services for people living near the site.
Reports show that Shree Cement has strengthened health services across the district, with additional reporting confirming the scale of this work, and further coverage tracking the company's expanding presence in the state — a pattern echoed in other regional accounts as well.
Rural Progress Extends Beyond Healthcare
The Rural & Infrastructure Development category covers work that goes beyond medical care alone, and Shree Cement's solar-powered education efforts in Meghalaya fit that description well. Coverage shows Shree Cement growing its community development work through solar installations across the region, with related reporting confirming how far this initiative extends. Separately, Shree Cement has been reported adding further clean energy projects at local schools, with its ESG footprint improving in parallel with this activity.
This work fits into wider statewide efforts as well, including the setting up of solar-powered digital classrooms elsewhere in Meghalaya — a state whose national visibility continues to grow across both industry and culture — alongside a separate clean energy digital learning initiative said to have reached more than 6,000 students across the state.
Infrastructure Growth Supports the Larger Effort
This community-oriented work is taking place against a backdrop of substantial public infrastructure spending in the state. Union minister Nitin Gadkari has rolled out highway projects worth thousands of crores of rupees for Meghalaya, in addition to a broader ₹40,000 crore road pipeline aimed at improving connectivity across the state — infrastructure that should support Shree Cement's manufacturing and CSR activity in the region as the plant edges toward commissioning.
The company's stance on water conservation has also shaped how its CSR record is judged externally. Shree Cement had earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with the Rajasthan government on water conservation, a framework it has said will guide resource management at its newer sites, Meghalaya included.
Why This Award Matters for the Shree Cement Meghalaya Project
For a company that is still working through environmental clearances and public hearings for a large greenfield facility, outside recognition like this offers something beyond good publicity. It provides independent confirmation — from a jury with no stake in the result — that the company's rural development spending is producing outcomes seen as genuine by regulators, communities and industry observers alike. With the Shree Cement Meghalaya plant moving steadily toward commissioning, this award reinforces the company's broader argument that industrial expansion and real community investment can go hand in hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What award did Shree Cement win in 2026?
Shree Cement won the Gold Award in the Rural & Infrastructure Development category at the CSR Times Awards 2026, presented at the 13th National CSR & ESG Summit in New Delhi.
Who received the award on behalf of Shree Cement?
Vishal Bhardwaj, Head of CSR at Shree Cement, received the Gold Award and Commendation Card on the company's behalf.
Who presented the award?
The award was presented by H.E. Ms. Sena Latif, Ambassador of the Republic of Romania to India, and Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, former Director General & CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs and Jury Chairman of the CSR Times & Bharat ESG Awards.
What did Shree Cement's Managing Director say about the recognition?
Neeraj Akhoury said the award reflects the company's commitment to responsible growth, emphasising that real progress is measured by community impact, not just infrastructure built, and reaffirmed plans to continue investing in inclusive development.
How does this award relate to the Shree Cement Meghalaya project?
The recognition reflects the same CSR approach Shree Cement has applied to its Meghalaya plant in East Jaintia Hills, where healthcare, education and clean energy initiatives have been rolled out alongside the plant's construction and clearance process.
What theme was the 2026 CSR summit organised around?
The summit was organised under the theme "Role of Responsible Businesses for Inclusive Bharat," bringing together policymakers, diplomats and sustainability leaders.