Malabar Group Boosts CSR With ₹150 Cr Allocation

Marking World Hunger Day with a renewed sense of purpose, Malabar Group, one of India’s foremost business conglomerates and the parent company of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, announced the allocation of ₹150 crore for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities for the financial year 2025-26. The group reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to societal upliftment by scaling up efforts across key domains, including healthcare, education, hunger and poverty alleviation, women empowerment, environmental protection, and housing for the underprivileged.

At the heart of its CSR strategy is the flagship initiative, ‘The Hunger Free World’, under which the Group pledged to distribute 70,000 meals daily across India and Zambia. This ambitious drive will culminate in the distribution of 2.5 crore meals over the year, doubling the total number of meals served under the initiative since its launch three years ago. The cumulative figure now stands at 5 crore meals—a remarkable milestone that underscores Malabar Group’s unwavering focus on combating hunger.

The announcement was made at a special event held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, where Dr. Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and G20 Sherpa, officially launched the next phase of the Group’s CSR programmes. The event witnessed the presence of prominent dignitaries, including M.P. Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Group; KP Abdul Salam, Vice Chairman; O Asher, Managing Director of India Operations; Executive Directors Nishad A K and KP Veerankutty; Group Director PA Abdulla Ibrahim; and Dr. Idrees V, Chairman of THANAL Daya Rehabilitation Trust, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, M.P. Ahammed emphasised that CSR has always been deeply embedded in Malabar Group’s culture. “We dedicate May 28 as our annual CSR day, where we reaffirm our pledge to stand with the underserved through sustained and impactful action. While we are doing our utmost, a greater impact can be achieved if more organisations join this mission. With 295 million people globally facing acute hunger, immediate action is non-negotiable,” he said. Ahammed stressed that while food distribution addresses an urgent need, sustainable change would require simultaneous efforts in job creation, economic growth, and agricultural productivity.

Currently, the Hunger Free World initiative runs through a network of 167 centres across 20 Indian states, serving over 60,000 nutrient-rich meals daily. In Zambia, the group works in close collaboration with the Zambian government, reaching out to 10,000 school children across three schools with daily meals. These operations are supported by state-of-the-art kitchens, equipped with modern facilities and managed by trained culinary professionals committed to hygiene and nutrition.

In the sphere of education and child welfare, Malabar Group has made notable progress through the establishment of 716 micro-learning centres across India. These centres provide basic education and nutritional support to street children, with over 32,000 children enrolled, and 9,000 successfully integrated into formal schooling systems. This initiative is implemented in partnership with the Thanal organisation. In addition, 1,14,000 scholarships have been awarded to girls to support their educational journeys, enhancing their opportunities for long-term socio-economic advancement.

Malabar Group has also extended its care to destitute elderly women through its Grandma Homesinitiative. These shelters provide free accommodation and holistic care and are currently operational in Bengaluru, Kerala, and Hyderabad. Plans are already in motion to expand the programme to major metropolitan cities, including Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai, thereby extending support to a larger section of vulnerable women across the country.

On the healthcare and disaster relief front, the Group aims to establish non-profit medical stores in all 140 locations across Kerala, offering life-saving medicines at subsidised rates. Already, 27 such stores are functional and have started making a positive impact on community health. Furthermore, under its Uyirppu Project, the Group is providing financial aid for higher education to 134 studentswho were affected by the devastating landslide in Wayanad last year.

Since its inception, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has consistently channelled 5% of its profits towards social welfare, reflecting a consistent and mission-driven approach to inclusive growth. With 60% of the annual CSR budget for 2025-26 dedicated specifically to hunger and poverty eradication, the Group has cemented its role as a socially responsible corporate entity committed to meaningful and scalable impact.

Through its broad spectrum of initiatives, Malabar Group continues to demonstrate that business success and social responsibility can go hand in hand, setting a powerful example for others in the corporate world to emulate.