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Rajasekhara Raju Podili

 
Name of the beneficiary Rajasekhara Raju Podili
Project/Programme Name PGDMN, 2007-2008
Name of the enterprise floated Head CSR BMM Steel and Sr.Manager JSW Foundation
Awards Rec’d Global Water Transversality Award 2024 from Shri Raj Bhushan Chaudhary Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Jal Sakthi, Government of India, in DelhiEmployee Exemplary Award 2024 by Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of JSW Group of companies India’s Responsible Leader Award 2023 by IndiaCSR at ESG Conference, RaipurBest CSR Head of the Year – 2022, ESN Publications received at GoaNational Water Hero Award- 2020 by the Ministry of Jal Sakthi Covid Warrior Award 2020 by CSR Times ET Global CSR Leadership Award – 2018 by The Economic TimesBest HOD of the Year – 2018 by Dalmia Cement Ltd.National MT CSR Excellence Award – -2018 by Manufacturing TodaySmart AP Foundation Best CSR Award – 2018 by the Smart AP Foundation , Governament of Andhara Pradesh EDII Alumnus Special Jury Award, 2018Top 3 finalists for Best HOD of the Year -2017 by Dalmia Cement Ltd.Best Employee of the Year – 2015 by Dalmia Cement Ltd.National Manufacturing Today Award -2014 By the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, AhemadabadNational Green-tech Golden Award – 2014 By Greentech Foundation
Special Recognitions CII ITC Sustainable Award Assessor 2020- 2023 Core Member – CSR and Sustainable committee for Southern region 2021-22 Special Interview in School on Water and Governance – 2020

Name of the Beneficiary

Rajasekhara Raju Podili

Project/Programme Name

PGDMN, 2007-2008

Name of the enterprise floated

  • Head CSR BMM Steel and Sr.Manager JSW Foundation

Special Recognitions

  • CII ITC Sustainable Award Assessor 2020- 2023
  • Core Member – CSR and Sustainable committee for Southern region 2021-22
  • Special Interview in School on Water and Governance – 2020

Awards Received

  • Global Water Transversality Award 2024 from Shri Raj Bhushan Chaudhary Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Jal Sakthi, Government of India, in Delhi
  • Employee Exemplary Award 2024 by Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of JSW Group of companies
  • India’s Responsible Leader Award 2023 by IndiaCSR at ESG Conference, Raipur
  • Best CSR Head of the Year – 2022, ESN Publications received at Goa
  •  National Water Hero Award- 2020 by the Ministry of Jal Sakthi
  • Covid Warrior Award 2020 by CSR Times
  • ET Global CSR Leadership Award – 2018 by The Economic Times
  •  Best HOD of the Year – 2018 by Dalmia Cement Ltd.
  • National MT CSR Excellence Award – -2018 by Manufacturing Today
  • Smart AP Foundation Best CSR Award – 2018 by the Smart AP Foundation, Governament of Andhara Pradesh
  •  EDII Alumnus Special Jury Award, 2018
  • Top 3 finalists for Best HOD of the Year -2017 by Dalmia Cement Ltd.
  • Best Employee of the Year – 2015 by Dalmia Cement Ltd.
  • National Manufacturing Today Award -2014 By the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Ahemadabad
  •  National Green-tech Golden Award – 2014 By Greentech Foundation

Rajasekhara Raju Podili hails from a modest rural background in Andhra Pradesh, yet he never let his circumstances come in the way of his dreams. Growing up in a humble farming family, he witnessed the struggles of rural communities—especially erratic monsoons, water shortage and other critical challenges faced by farmers. These early experiences instilled in him empathy and determination to work for sustainable water management and community development for meaningful change.

Rajasekhara completed his B.Sc., LLB, M.Sc., M.A in Social work from Acharya Nagarjuna University in Guntur and then joined EDII’s Post Graduate Diploma in Management of NGOs for concretising his skills and knowledge base in the domain. Through the course, he gained deeper insights into crucial aspects of project management, leadership, financial planning and social innovation. Armed with these insights, Rajasekhara started working in the water and rural development sector, where he recognized the vast untapped potential in community-driven water conservation initiatives. He realized that even small watershed interventions could create huge, sustainable impact if implemented scientifically.

Over the past 20 years, Rajasekhara has founded and led several impactful projects under NABARD-funded watershed programmes, benefiting over 2,00,000 families across multiple states. He has implemented 105 watershed projects, constructed 200 check dams and developed 550 farm ponds.

In recognition of his remarkable work, Rajasekhara has been honoured with the prestigious 6th National Water Award, 2024, conferred by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India. He received the award from the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu in Delhi. Rajasekhara was recognized in the Best Individual category (South Zone) for Excellence in Water Sector category. He has also received 23 prestigious national and international awards.

Rajasekhara envisions empowering rural youth by integrating water conservation with livelihood promotion. He plans to train young people in rural areas to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, establish micro- enterprises and become local leaders in water and natural resource management.