The Leslie Sawhny Centre was established by the Leslie Sawhny Endowment on 3rd Nov 1973 at Devlali, Nashik. It was an extension of the Leslie Sawhny Programme which commenced on 1st April 1968. Mr Nani Palkhivala was the first Chairman and Mr Minoo Masani its first Vice Chairman. Mr JRD Tata, Mrs Rhoda Sawhny, Mr Ratan Tata, Mr M R Pai, Mr S Mulgaokar & Gen Kumaramangalam have been members of the Board of Management.
Mr Minoo Shroff had taken over the reins of Chairman, Leslie Sawhny Endowment from Mr Nani Palkhivala in 1999 and steered the Centre to new heights till he retired in 2018.
Mr Minoo Shroff
The aim of the Leslie Sawhny Programme was to train citizens and youth for competent leadership, good citizenship and noble public service.
The Centre is today acknowledged as a cradle for Learning & Empowerment amongst the Corporates, NGOs, Educational & Social Institutions.
Colonel Leslie Sawhny
The Centre gets its name from late Colonel Leslie Sawhny, who was the Brother-in-Law of Mr. JRD Tata. He served in the Indian Army from 1936 to 1948. He had an illustrious career in the army and was awarded the Mention in Dispatches for distinguished services in the Burma operation.
He retired from the army in 1948 and led a number of companies in the Tata group. He was also closely associated with the cause of free & liberal society and will always be remembered as a great leader and an excellent human being.
The Centre by virtue of being located at Devlali enjoys a salubrious climate, creating an ideal training environment for the participants.
