At Print Summit 2025, Prabhakar Lingareddy from ITC recounted personal anecdotes and professional insights that underscored ITC’s approach to sustainable development and social impact. Lingareddy’s journey with ITC began with a childhood connection to a printing factory in Tirupati, near his grandparents’ home. Although he never worked there, his frequent visits sparked a deep appreciation for the printing industry.
Lingareddy reflected on his 35-year tenure at ITC, attributing his commitment to a sense of pride in the company’s initiatives. He outlined ITC’s focus on sustainable forestry, rainwater harvesting, women’s empowerment, and integrated family support as key impact areas. These efforts have transformed tribal regions, mitigated water scarcity, and enhanced livelihoods across India.
He highlighted ITC’s decision to invest in local communities and environmental conservation long before corporate social responsibility became a widespread practice. By creating 1.1 million acres of forestry in degraded tribal lands and pioneering water conservation projects, ITC has fostered self-reliance among farmers and villages.
Lingareddy highlighted the company’s holistic approach, addressing interconnected challenges such as education, health, and social equity. ITC’s integrated family model benefits entire communities by improving the quality of life at the household level and scaling interventions to village and district levels. He stressed the importance of involving communities in decision-making and leveraging public-private partnerships to enhance impact.
Acknowledging the evolving expectations of international customers and regulatory bodies, Lingareddy underscored ITC’s commitment to “responsible competitiveness.” He said businesses must balance profitability with environmental stewardship and societal progress to ensure long-term success. Lingareddy credited this philosophy for ITC’s enduring legacy, including the 75th anniversary of its printing factory in Dehradun and the company’s 125 years of operations.
Concluding his address, Lingareddy urged the audience to embrace sustainability as an essential aspect of business strategy, remarking that enduring value stems from transforming lives and landscapes.
