Dr. Naresh Tyagi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. has released his book Sustainable Promises at the Sankalp Bharat 2025 event. The book emphasises that sustainability is not merely a modern concept for India, but a deep-rooted aspect of the country’s heritage and tradition.
Drawing inspiration from the Rig Veda, Dr. Tyagi notes, “The Earth is like a mother, the Sky like a father, and the space as their son.” “This ancient wisdom,” he says, “highlights the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of maintaining a delicate balance with nature.” While many nations view sustainability as a goal to aspire to, he argues that for India, it is an act of rediscovery. The country’s legacy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—“The World as one family”—teaches that harmonious coexistence with nature is not only a necessity but a way of life.
Through this narrative, Tyagi aims to inspire a diverse range of stakeholders—including individuals, businesses, policymakers, and academicians—to draw lessons from India’s ancient wisdom and contribute to shaping a greener, more sustainable future.
Dr. Tyagi released Sustainable Promises at Sankalp Bharat 2025 in Varanasi, where he presented the book to V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India.
With over three decades of leadership experience across South Asia, Dr. Tyagi is dedicated to redefining global sustainability paradigms. In his role at ABFRL, he integrates innovation, technology, and sustainability into business strategies, fostering inclusive growth and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) stewardship. He has pioneered sustainable practices in both the company and the industry, driving initiatives like the Sustainability Accelerator, Circular Apparel Innovation Factory, and the Human Sustainability Movement.
Dr. Tyagi’s influence extends beyond business. He has been a speaker at the United Nations in New York (2019) and delivered a TEDx Talk on the importance of ESG and the three pillars of sustainability. He also believes in the power of collaboration to create systemic change and sustainable growth, actively contributing to global and national platforms such as Cotton 2040, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC).
