NE BUSINESS BUREAU
CHENNAI/AHMEDABAD, MAR 26
In a powerful push towards inclusive growth, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, unveiled a landmark ₹200 crore CSR initiative for FY 2026–27 by Malabar Gold & Diamonds at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
- Malabar Gold & Diamonds commits ₹200 crore CSR outlay for FY27 to transform 2 lakh lives across India
- Piyush Goyal launches scholarships for 33,000 girls, backs women-led growth vision
- Leadership led by M.P. Ahammad, O. Asher, Nishad A.K., Abdulla Ibrahim drives scale with ESG focus
- Education, hunger relief, healthcare, housing & environment anchor 15 initiatives across 19 states
- Micro-learning centres, ‘Hunger Free World’ & ‘Grandma Home’ projects expand grassroots impact
Marking a major milestone, the Minister inaugurated the distribution of educational scholarships to 33,000 girl students across India, reinforcing the company’s commitment to empowering the next generation.
The event was attended by Malabar Group Chairman M. P. Ahammad, Managing Director (India Operations) O. Asher, Executive Directors Nishad A. K. and Abdulla Ibrahim, alongside senior dignitaries including Puneet Kumar, Rukmini Banerji of Pratham Education Foundation, and Dr. Idris of Thanal.
Aligned with national vision
Hailing this initiative, Piyush Goyal stated: “The initiatives of the Malabar Charitable Trust align closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering India’s daughters through programs like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.”
He added: “Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ decision to allocate INR 200 crore towards CSR will further strengthen the nation’s progress,” emphasizing that India’s growth is rooted in the empowerment of its people – especially women and girls and appreciating the company’s efforts in driving meaningful change through education.”
“He also encouraged students and young citizens to dream big, aspire beyond limitations, and seize the vast opportunities India offers, urging them to contribute actively to the nation’s growth story”.
Leadership speaks: Education at the core
Chairman M. P. Ahammad highlighted: “Human resource development is the backbone of national growth. He noted that nurturing talent through quality education is essential, and that the scholarship programme enables students to achieve academic success and contribute to the country’s development. He added that the group remains committed to creating sustainable, long-term societal impact through significant CSR investments.”
₹200 crore, 15 initiatives, 2 lakh lives
For FY 2026–27, CSR projects worth ₹200 crore will be implemented across 3,000+ locations in 19 states, spanning 15 major initiatives and impacting over 2 lakh beneficiaries.
- ₹114 crore for education (scholarships & micro-learning centres)
- ₹30 crore for Hunger Free World food distribution
- ₹14.2 crore for healthcare
- ₹25 crore for housing projects like Grandma Home
- ₹10 crore for environmental protection
- ₹6.8 crore for other humanitarian efforts
Scaling education & social reach
As part of its 33rd anniversary, the group will award scholarships to 33,000 girls across 284 districts in 18 states, taking the total beneficiaries to over 1.15 lakh girls since inception.
In partnership with Pratham Education Foundation, Malabar has established 1,543 micro-learning centres across 17 states, set to expand to 2,500 centres, with enrolment expected to grow from 64,000 to 1 lakh students.
From hunger relief to human dignity
Under the Hunger Free World initiative, 1.15 lakh people receive daily nutritious meals across India, Zambia, and Ethiopia.
Other impactful programmes include:
- Grandma Home for destitute women
- Subsidised pharmacies in collaboration with Thanal
ESG at the heart of growth
Guided by strong ESG principles, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has consistently allocated 5% of its net trading profit towards CSR, focusing on women empowerment, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability.
These sustained efforts have already transformed the lives of over 1.8 million people across India.
