AIDA appoints Bharati Balaji as Deputy Director General

MUMBAI: When the spirits industry needs a steady hand at the wheel, it has just found one with serious horsepower and over 25 years of experience to boot. The All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) has appointed Ms Bharati Balaji as its new Deputy Director General. Balaji brings more than 25 years of diverse experience spanning legal practice, corporate roles and policy advocacy in industry associations.

She began her career at the Supreme Court of India, practising for nearly five years, before moving into the corporate sector. Prior to joining AIDA, she spent over a decade with the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), where she joined in 2012 as Deputy Head. She played a key role in establishing ISMA’s bio-energy arm, the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association, and later rose to Director, handling policy formulation, strategic initiatives and legal compliance. She also served as acting head of ISMA for three months during a leadership transition.

Earlier in her career, Balaji worked with The Times of India group as manager for legal for five years and later led the Contract Sourcing & Negotiation team at Microsoft, gaining international exposure in corporate governance and team management.

Vijendra Singh, President of AIDA, welcomed the appointment: “We are delighted to welcome Ms Bharati Balaji to AIDA’s leadership team. Her strong background in policy advocacy and regulatory affairs will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the ethanol, sugar, and potable alcohol sectors.”

Kushal Mittal, Vice President of AIDA, added that the appointment comes at a crucial time as the government focuses on energy security and biofuels. “AIDA remains committed to addressing the evolving landscape of the ethanol, sugar, and potable alcohol sectors, while deepening policy engagement and driving sustained industry growth,” he said.

AIDA is India’s apex body representing both grain-based and molasses-based ethanol manufacturers as well as potable alcohol producers. It works closely with stakeholders on ethanol blending, farmer welfare, energy security, sustainability and future fuel technologies.

From Supreme Court chambers to shaping policy in the sugar and bio-energy space, Bharati Balaji has distilled a formidable career and now she’s set to add real strength to India’s distillery ecosystem.