Professional
Colonel Prakash Tewari (Retd): A Journey of Purpose Across Uniform, Policy, and Planet
From the rugged terrains of India’s Northeast as a commanding officer in the Assam Rifles, to the boardrooms of major corporations, and the policy-making corridors of the Government of India, Colonel Prakash Tewari (Retd) has led a life defined by purpose, resilience, and vision.
His journey began in the Indian Armed Forces, where he spent nearly two decades not only defending the nation but also working with communities in some of the most challenging regions. As a peace negotiator during the Nagaland insurgency in 1986, he displayed an early talent for conflict resolution and community engagement—skills that would go on to shape his life's work.
After retiring from military service, Colonel Tewari transitioned into public policy, serving as Director Policy (Ecology) at the Ministry of Defence. Here, he began building India's early institutional response to environmental sustainability and land management across the defense sector.
His passion for integrating sustainability into development led him into the private sector, where he took on leadership roles in some of India’s largest companies. At Tata Power, he laid the groundwork for resettlement and community relations policies that became national benchmarks. As Executive Vice President at Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, he spearheaded sustainability and education initiatives across Asia and Africa, setting up universities, engineering colleges, hospitals, skill centers, and community colleges. Later, as Executive Director of Gurgaon Rejuvenation at DLF Ltd, he led environmental regeneration, mobility planning, and sustainable urban infrastructure for one of India’s fastest-growing cities.
Colonel Tewari’s strategic acumen made him a natural partner for global institutions like the World Bank (IFC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), collaborating on environmentally responsible infrastructure development and social impact projects.
But his impact didn’t stop at national borders. Internationally, he served as Vice President of the Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction (USA), where he helped shape disaster response frameworks across continents. As a member of the Working Group on the Indian Ocean at the University of Melbourne, Australia, he contributed to marine policy and ecological research. And as Chairman of the CSR Committee at the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, he guided India Inc. on ethical, inclusive, and sustainable business practices.
His contributions have been widely recognized. From the Golden Peacock Award to the Global CSR Certificate in Singapore, and the BCCI Civic Award, he has been honored for both leadership and innovation. In 2006, he was nominated for the Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program in Bangkok—a fitting recognition for someone whose life has been devoted to building peace, whether on battlefields or in boardrooms.
Currently, Colonel Tewari continues his mission as a Member of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) – Infrastructure I and CRZ, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Grameen Impact Ventures, a social enterprise under the Grameen Foundation, founded by Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus.
As a global mentor and educator, he regularly speaks at universities and international forums. His workshops on business development and sustainability have inspired entrepreneurs and changemakers across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Whether it is mentoring young leaders, advocating for climate resilience, or designing inclusive social policies, Colonel Prakash Tewari’s journey is a rare fusion of defense discipline, environmental consciousness, and humanitarian commitment.
He is not just a strategist or a leader—he is a bridge between worlds: military and civil, corporate and community, local and global.
