Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has been conferred the ‘CSR Times Award 2026’ for its CSR initiative ‘Hockey for Her’.
The award was presented at the 13th National CSR & ESG Summit & Awards 2026, held at Le Meridien, New Delhi. The recognition highlights GRSE’s efforts to empower underprivileged tribal adolescent girls through sports and promote inclusive community development.
GRSE’s ‘Hockey for Her’ Initiative Recognised
Implemented in partnership with Child Rights & You (CRY), the ‘Hockey for Her’ initiative focuses on empowering underprivileged tribal adolescent girls in Khunti district of Jharkhand through structured sports development.
The programme combines professional sports training with support for the overall development and well-being of the participants.
More than 100 young athletes are currently benefiting from the initiative. Participants receive:
- Professional hockey training
- Sports kits and equipment
- Nutritional support
- Periodic medical check-ups
- Life-skills development
The programme aims to use hockey not only as a platform for sporting development but also as a means of building confidence, skills and opportunities among girls from underprivileged tribal communities.
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‘Hockey for Her’ Creates Pathway to Competitive Sport
The initiative is also helping talented participants progress towards higher levels of competitive hockey.
Several young athletes supported under the programme have:
- Competed in district-level hockey championships
- Secured selection to the Khunti Hockey Federation
- Secured selection to the Centre of Excellence (CoE), Khunti
This progress is creating a structured pathway for young girls to develop their sporting abilities and pursue opportunities in competitive hockey.
By providing access to professional coaching, sports equipment and supporting services, the programme seeks to address multiple challenges faced by underprivileged tribal adolescent girls.
CSR Times Award 2026 Highlights Responsible Business
The 13th National CSR & ESG Summit & Awards 2026, organised by CSR Times, was held with the theme “Role of Responsible Businesses for Inclusive Bharat.”
The summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, CSR professionals and corporate representatives to discuss the role of responsible businesses in promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
The event recognised organisations for their contributions to:
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices
- Inclusive development
- Sustainable community development
For GRSE, the award reflects its continued focus on implementing CSR initiatives aimed at supporting socio-economic development and creating opportunities for communities.
From Shipbuilding to Social Empowerment
The ‘Hockey for Her’ initiative highlights how GRSE’s CSR efforts extend beyond its core shipbuilding operations.
Through its partnership with CRY, GRSE is using hockey as a vehicle for empowerment in Khunti, helping young girls from underprivileged tribal communities gain access to:
- Structured sports training
- Professional coaching
- Sports equipment
- Health and nutrition support
- Life-skills development
- Opportunities in competitive hockey
The progress of participants into district-level competitions and institutional hockey programmes demonstrates the potential of the initiative to create a longer-term sporting pathway for girls in the region.
GRSE’s Wider CSR Commitment
GRSE is a Navratna Defence PSU under the Ministry of Defence and has a history dating back to 1884. The company was taken over by the Government of India in 1960 and has since evolved into one of India’s leading defence shipbuilders.
According to the company, GRSE has built:
- More than 800 platforms
- 118 warships for the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign countries
While shipbuilding remains central to GRSE’s operations, initiatives such as ‘Hockey for Her’ reflect the company’s wider commitment to using its CSR programmes to support communities and create opportunities for young people.
The CSR Times Award 2026 thus recognises an initiative that goes beyond sports training, using hockey to promote empowerment, confidence and opportunities for tribal girls in Jharkhand.
About GRSE
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) is a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Headquartered in Kolkata, the company is one of India’s leading defence shipbuilders and undertakes the construction of warships and other platforms for the Indian maritime forces and friendly foreign countries.
