The funding will be used for 15 large projects at approximately 3,000 locations in 19 states. Over two lakh people are anticipated to profit from these initiatives.
Malabar Gold & Diamonds on Wednesday announced CSR initiatives worth Rs 200 crore for the financial year 2026–27, along with 33,000 educational scholarships for girl students across India.
In the innaugration speech Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, “The CSR fund of Rs 200 crore will further strengthen the nation’s progress,” emphasising 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.
Malabar Group, 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.”
This funding will be used for 15 large projects at approximately 3,000 locations in 19 states. Over two lakh people are anticipated to profit from these initiatives.
Education is given a lot of attention, with Rs 114 crore set aside for projects including national scholarship programs for girls and microlearning centers for street children. The Hunger Free World project has set aside Rs 14.2 crore for healthcare efforts and Rs 30 crore for food distribution. Rs 25 crore would be allocated to housing programs, such as the "Grandma Home" initiative for impoverished women.
As part of the Malabar Group’s 33rd anniversary, scholarships will be awarded this year to 33,000 girl students from 284 districts across 18 states. Since its inception, the programme has benefited over 1,15,000 girls. All CSR initiatives are implemented through the Malabar Charitable Trust.
For the rehabilitation of street children, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has established 1,543 micro-learning centres across 17 states in partnership with Pratham Education Foundation, one of India’s largest NGOs. The number of centres will be increased to 2,500 this year, with student enrolment expected to grow from over 64,000 to 1 lakh.
Under the Hunger Free World project, nutritious meals are provided daily to 1,15,000 people across India, Zambia, and Ethiopia. Other CSR initiatives include the ‘Grandma Home’ project, which provides free accommodation and care for destitute women, and Malabar-Thanal pharmacies that offer medicines at subsidized rates to the underprivileged.
The company has dedicated 5% of its net trading earnings to CSR initiatives since its founding. In partnership with NGOs like Pratham and Thanal, these programs concentrate on women's empowerment, healthcare, education, and environmental conservation.
More than 1.8 million people in India have already benefited from these initiatives.
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He said another major focus is on microlearning centres, run in association with Thanal. Selected centres assist children from the streets and slums who are either unable or do not attend school. About 40 kids are admitted to each centre, where they get basic education, nutrition, uniforms, and behavioural and life skills advice. Many of these kids are prepared to start formal education without encountering prejudice within a year. The company plans to expand this to 2,500 centres, covering around one lakh students. He added that under its hunger and poverty alleviation efforts, the company plans to distribute 1.3 lakh meals daily across 113 cities, backed by central kitchens to maintain food quality. Around ₹30 crore has been allocated for this. Education initiatives account for ₹114 crore, while ₹14.2 crore is set aside for healthcare, including medical camps and subsidised pharmacies run with Thanal. Speaking on shelter initiatives, he said the “Grandma Home” project focuses on destitute elderly women found on the streets. With an allocation of ₹25 crore, the initiative provides housing, medical care and food, while also working to reconnect them with their families wherever possible. He said other initiatives include drinking water projects, with wells being built in around 1,800 locations across states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Environmental efforts are also part of the broader plan. Overall, the company plans to spend ₹200 crore on CSR this financial year. “These initiatives have been running for several years and are now being scaled in a more structured way,” he said, pointing to partnerships with organisations like Pratham for education. He added that the company follows an internal principle of allocating 5% of its profits to CSR, treating it as a long-term responsibility. He said CSR activities are spread across multiple states based on need. Microlearning centres, for instance, are focused in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, where support gaps are higher. Scholarships are distributed nationwide through institutional channels, while programmes are designed to reinvest in regions where the company operates. He added that the approach also ties into broader ESG commitments, with external agencies like Ernst & Young brought in to ensure standards and compliance. Ethical sourcing remains a priority, with gold procurement aligned to global norms to ensure responsible practices. He said technology is being used to track the impact of CSR initiatives, including student progress and long-term outcomes. Internal audits and third-party assessments are carried out regularly. Employees are also being encouraged to participate, with a policy requiring them to spend time on CSR activities each year. As these programmes expand into large cities, especially under projects like Grandma Home, he said challenges remain around infrastructure, safety and accessibility, but the company is working with partner organisations to address them. |
While addressing the press, Asher Ottamoochikkal, MD- Indian operations at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, said profit from different segments is being channelled into key areas, with education as a primary focus. This year, 33,000 scholarships for girl students across the country have been announced. The company does not select these, but by principals and committees in government colleges to ensure they reach the right students.
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