The SDG Leadership Council is the CSR/policy advocacy arm of the initiative aimed at identifying actionable strategies & policies that can accelerate development pertaining to different goals and create a sustainable environment at all levels.

Targeted activities by the Council

  • White Papers
  • Action oriented ground activities
  • Communication and capacity building
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Targeting activities for one of the sub-goals to start immediately

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Good health is essential to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda reflects the complexity and interconnectedness of the two. It considers widening economic and social inequalities, rapid urbanization, threats to the climate and the environment, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases, and emerging challenges such as noncommunicable diseases. Universal health coverage will be integral to achieving SDG 3, ending poverty and reducing inequalities. Emerging global health priorities not explicitly included in the SDGs, including antimicrobial resistance, also demand action.

Why to be part of this Council
The Times Group is India’s largest media conglomerate (source: Financial Times, March 2015), with interests across diverse media encompassing publishing, television, internet, radio and outdoor. The Times Group now has flagship media vehicles such as The Economic Times, ET Now, The Times of India, Times Now, Indiatimes.com and many more that span diverse topics like business, real estate, topical issues, art, culture, economics and more. The group is synonymous with integrity, reform and progress for India and has been an unshakeable beacon of truth, justice and the power of honest journalism.

With the support of our large network across the country including the media personals, response groups and others, the initiatives of the committee can be executed and spread across the nation. With the diverse group of experts at the same platform, we can plan to collaborate and contribute collectively to the activities of the SDG’s. This can help inspire several stakeholders across the country.

Benefits to the ET SDG Leadership Council
· ET Edge will be the facilitator for all the activities within the council
· ET Edge will provide visibility to the members on all media platforms
· We can include random articles, interviews and surveys on the website
· Members get the opportunity to network with other executive members from the industry
· All the members will be part of the ET SDG Summit which is a flagship event of ET Edge




Council Members


  • Committee Chair


    Preetha Reddy
    Executive Vice Chairperson
    Apollo Hospitals Group

  • Alexander Thomas
    Founder Member and President
    Association of Healthcare Providers of India

  • Anand K
    CEO
    SRL Diagnostics

  • Anil Joseph
    Managing Director
    Abbott India Ltd

  • Deepak Gupta
    CEO
    Make a Wish India

  • Dr. Devi Shetty
    Chairman
    Narayana Hrudayalaya Limited

  • Manoj Saxena
    Managing Director Bayer Zydus Pharma
    Country Division Head, South Asia - Pharmaceuticals

  • Mr. Sandeep Makkar
    Managing Director
    Johnson and Johnson Medical India

  • Sanjiv Navangul
    Managing Director and CEO
    Bharat Serums


Water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of people, an alarming figure that is projected to rise as temperatures do. Although 2.1 billion people have improved water sanitation since 1990, dwindling drinking water supplies are affecting every continent.

More and more countries are experiencing water stress, and increasing drought and desertification is already worsening these trends. By 2050, it is projected that at least one in four people will suffer recurring water shortages.

Sustainable management of water resources and access to safe water and sanitation are essential for unlocking economic growth and productivity and provide significant leverage for existing investments. Safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 requires that we invest in adequate infrastructure, provide sanitation facilities, and encourage hygiene. Protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems is essential. Ensuring universal safe and affordable drinking water involves reaching over 800 million people who lack basic services and improving accessibility and safety of services for over two billion.

UN explains: "Clean water is a basic human need, and one that should be easily accessible to all. There is enough fresh water on the planet to achieve this. However, due to poor infrastructure, investment and planning, every year millions of people — most of them children — die from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene." It calls for more research and development, increased financing, and strengthened capacity of all countries in water management.

Tasks for the council
  • The committee will track and work on the following targets of Goal# 6
  • Safe and affordable drinking water
  • End open defecation and provide access so sanitation and hygiene
  • Improve water quality, wastewater treatment and safe reuse
  • Increase water-use efficiency and ensure freshwater supplies
  • Implement integrated water resources management
  • Protect and restore water-related ecosystems
  • Expand water and sanitation support to developing countries
  • Support local engagement in water and sanitation management
Why to be part of this Council
The Times Group is India’s largest media conglomerate (source: Financial Times, March 2015), with interests across diverse media encompassing publishing, television, internet, radio and outdoor. The Times Group now has flagship media vehicles such as The Economic Times, ET Now, The Times of India, Times Now, Indiatimes.com and many more that span diverse topics like business, real estate, topical issues, art, culture, economics and more. The group is synonymous with integrity, reform and progress for India and has been an unshakeable beacon of truth, justice and the power of honest journalism. With the support of our large network across the country including the media personals, response groups and others, the initiatives of the committee can be executed and spread across the nation. With the diverse group of experts at the same platform, we can plan to collaborate and contribute collectively to the activities of the SDG’s. This can help inspire several stakeholders across the country.

Benefits to the ET SDG Leadership Council
  • ET Edge will be the facilitator for all the activities within the council
  • ET Edge will provide visibility to the members on all media platforms
  • We can include random articles, interviews and surveys on the website
  • Members get the opportunity to network with other executive members from the industry
  • All the work the council decides to do under the Goal 6, will be coordinated by ET Edge
  • All the members will be part of the ET SDG Summit which is a flagship event of ET Edge


Council Members


  • Committee Chair


    Rajiv Ranjan Mishra
    Director General
    National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
  • Co-Chair


    O P Agarwal
    Chief Executive Officer
    WRI India

  • Dr. Arvind Kumar
    President and Founder
    India Water Foundation

  • Manoj Gulati
    MD
    Water.org

  • VK Madhavan
    Chief Executive
    WaterAid India

  • Dr. Prasoom Dwivedi PHd.
    Prof. (Deptt. Of Civil Engineering)
    UPES Dehradun

  • Dr. V C Goyal
    Head, Research
    National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee

  • Namrata Rana
    Director, Strategy and Brand
    Futurescapes
For more details, e-mail us: et.edge@timesgroup.com