C. Subramaniam Award presented to CDS Chairperson Mallepalli Laxmaiah
The National Foundation for India (NFI) conferred the C. Subramaniam Award for Community Leadership 2025–26 on CDS Chairperson Mallepalli Laxmaiah in New Delhi. Recognised for his decades-long commitment to Dalit and tribal rights, Laxmaiah has played a pivotal role in policy advocacy, particularly in implementing the SC/ST Sub-Plan across states.
New Delhi: CDS Chairperson Mallepalli Laxmaiah was conferred the C. Subramaniam Award for Community Leadership 2025–26 by the National Foundation for India (NFI) on Monday, in the presence of distinguished guests including Rashmi Singh, IAS, Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Child Rights; Satyanandan Mishra, Retired IAS and Chairperson of NFI; Viraj Patnaik, Executive Director, NFI; Sameera, Project Director, NFI; and Paul Divakar of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights.
The C. Subramaniam Award recognises leaders who have demonstrated sustained commitment to grassroots empowerment, social justice and inclusive development. Instituted in memory of Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam, the award honours individuals who have strengthened democratic values and community leadership among marginalised communities.
Mallepalli Laxmaiah is a writer and social activist with decades of engagement on issues affecting Dalit and tribal communities. As CDS Chairperson, he has worked extensively on research and policy advocacy to promote social equity and accountability in governance.
He played a key role in advocating for the effective implementation of the SC/ST Sub-Plan in Telangana and other states, ensuring targeted budget allocations and welfare measures for historically disadvantaged sections.
The award stands as a tribute to his dedication towards social justice, inclusive development, and the creation of equitable opportunities for historically disadvantaged communities. His work continues to inspire many in the pursuit of equality.
