198/2026-2027

Aizawl, 24 June 2026: A Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project aimed at groundwater rejuvenation in Darzo Village was officially launched today at the office of Shri TBC Lalvenchhunga, Adviser to the Chief Minister (Finance & Planning), Government of Mizoram. The project is being funded by Bharat Forge Limited and implemented through the CII Foundation in collaboration with the Village Council of Darzo.

The project will be executed by Young Indians (Yi), the youth wing of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Significantly, the Yi Mizoram Chapter has become the first Young Indians chapter in the country to successfully facilitate and implement a CSR project of this nature. This milestone reflects the chapter’s growing commitment to community development and sustainable impact. Building on this achievement, Yi Mizoram is actively pursuing several other CSR initiatives to address key developmental needs across the state through partnerships with industry and local stakeholders.

Addressing the gathering, Shri TBC Lalvenchhunga underscored the importance of CSR initiatives in complementing the State Government’s development priorities. He commended Bharat Forge Limited and the CII Foundation for their commitment to sustainable community development, noting that such partnerships play a vital role in addressing local challenges and improving the quality of life in rural areas.

Dr. Leena Deshpande, Vice President and Head–CSR, Bharat Forge Limited, who attended as Guest of Honour, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to creating sustainable and long-term social impact through its CSR programmes. She expressed confidence that the groundwater rejuvenation project would significantly benefit the people of Darzo and serve as a model for community-led water conservation efforts.

A detailed presentation on the project was delivered by Francis L. Khiangte, Co-Chair, Yi Mizoram, who outlined its objectives and anticipated impact. The initiative aims to enhance groundwater recharge, improve water availability, and promote sustainable water resource management in Darzo Village. Under the project, 1,000 recharge trenches will be excavated across 1.93 hectares of land. Each trench will measure 10 feet in length, 6 feet in width, and 1.5 feet in depth.

A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bharat Forge Limited, the CII Foundation, and the Village Council of Darzo, formalising their partnership for the implementation of the project.

Shri Lalramchhana, President of the Village Council, Darzo, also addressed the gathering and expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders, including the CSR Cell, Bharat Forge Limited, the CII Foundation, and Yi Mizoram, for selecting Darzo Village for the initiative.

The groundwater rejuvenation project is expected to strengthen water sustainability in Darzo Village while contributing to broader efforts toward environmental conservation and community development in Mizoram.

The programme was chaired by Alan Lalhriatpuia, Chapter Chair, Yi Mizoram and Co-Chair, CII Mizoram, who welcomed the gathering and highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts among government, industry, and local communities in addressing developmental challenges. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Lalchhanhimi, State Head, CII Mizoram, who acknowledged the contributions of all partners and stakeholders involved in making the initiative a reality.