NEW DELHI (India CSR): In an in-depth interview with M P Ahammed, Chairman of the Malabar Group, established in 1993 in Kerala, we uncover the strategic integration of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within the conglomerate’s core missions and values. This initiative has not only propelled the group’s business success but also significantly contributed to societal development, spanning healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and more.
Ahammed shared with India CSR, “Our financial planning is meticulously designed to include CSR, dedicating a minimum of 5% of our net profits towards social welfare initiatives in every country we operate in since 1993.” This strategic integration demonstrates how CSR is woven into the fabric of Malabar Group’s operational philosophy.
Excerpts an interview:
1.How does Malabar Group ensure that its CSR initiatives align with its mission and values, and how are these initiatives integrated into the company’s financial planning?
Our CSR initiatives are designed in a way to prioritise areas such as healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, elderly care, women empowerment, environmental sustainability, and disaster relief, ensuring a comprehensive approach to societal impact. This commitment is evident in the formation of the Malabar Charitable Trust in 1999, which provides essential support to those in need, irrespective of their socioeconomic background.
Our financial planning integrates CSR by allocating a minimum of 5% of net profits towards various social welfare initiatives in each country of operation since our inception in 1993. Additionally, our staff members actively participate in charity activities, reflecting our organisational culture of giving back and community engagement.
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2.Can you provide the names of projects or initiatives undertaken by Malabar Group under its CSR umbrella?
We have a wide array of initiatives under our CSR umbrella aimed at addressing various societal and environmental needs. Some of our predominant initiatives include:
Hunger Free World: This initiative, in collaboration with the NGO ‘Thanal’, aims to feed the needy by operating a central kitchen in the city. Utilising rickshaws and vans, our team covers multiple locations to distribute food packets 3 times a day, containing different types of vegetarian foods like Dal Rice, Sabji Roti, Parata Sabji, Thepla, etc.Presently, the initiative has been rolled out across 37 locations spanning 13 states in India. In line with our commitment to global impact, we’ve initiated operations in Zambia.
Grandma Home: The Trust launched its elderly care mission in response to observations during the Hunger Free World campaign. Initially focusing on rehabilitating homeless women, the “Grandma Home” project provides shelter, food, clothing, and medical assistance in collaboration with Thanal-Daya Rehabilitation Trust. Homes in Bangalore and Hyderabad offer state-of-the-art facilities with a bed capacity of 104 and 135 respectively.
Dedicated medical and social work teams ensure round-the-clock support for residents, helping them rebuild their lives and find stability. The first phase of the project was launched in Banashankari (Karnataka) on October 20, 2023, and the second phase was launched in Chandanagar, Hyderabad (Telangana), on March 9, 2024. The plans of opening Grandma Homes in Chennai (Tamil Nadu), and Guruvayoor, Kerala are underway.
Women Empowerment: We assist deprived families struggling with marriage expenses through our ‘Golden Heart’ project, irrespective of religion or caste. Additionally, we offer scholarship distribution and skill development programmes for women, aiming to empower them financially and socially.
Housing: The Malabar Housing Charitable Trust provides partial financial aid for constructing houses for the homeless or those affected by natural disasters. Our assistance can be partial or complete, depending on various factors, with a maximum support cap of Rs. 50,000 per individual.
Healthcare: Through mobile medical clinics, medical camps, and our Malabar Gold & Diamonds stores, we offer free checkups, lab assistance, and life-saving drugs. Our mobile clinics are equipped to conduct basic tests, and we collaborate with hospitals and organisations to extend these services in various districts.
Environment: Our environmental initiatives include clean environment campaigns, zero waste initiatives, and awareness programmes to reduce air and water pollution. Collaborating with government bodies and organisations, we conduct roadshows and seminars to raise awareness about environmental conservation. For instance, our ‘Zero waste = 100 marks’ campaign, in collaboration with Manoramaonline.com, educates young minds about environmental conservation.
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| Name of the Company | Chairman | CSR Spending | Key CSR Pillars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malabar Group | M.P. Ahammed | Minimum of 5% of net profits annually | Healthcare, Education, Poverty Alleviation, Elderly Care, Women Empowerment, Environmental Sustainability, Disaster Relief |
3.Could you elaborate on the Hunger Free World initiative and its global expansion?
The Hunger Free World initiative is a pivotal aspect of our commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Launched in 2022, this initiative currently operates numerous kitchens across India, diligently providing 30,000 nutritious meals daily to those in need. However, our ambition doesn’t stop there. We are actively gearing up to expand the Hunger Free World project to additional areas in collaboration with our customers and dedicated employees. Our objective is clear: to distribute one early meal daily to one lakh deserving people in India, significantly scaling up our impact and reach.
Recently, we’ve extended the reach of this initiative globally to Zambia, marking a significant milestone in our efforts. In partnership with local stakeholders, we will provide 3.6 million meals annually to schoolchildren in Zambia. This programme kicks off at John Laing Primary School in Lusaka, benefiting 6,000 children initially. This marks the first-of-its-kind initiative by Malabar Group in Africa, showcasing our commitment to extending our reach beyond borders and making a tangible difference in communities worldwide.
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4.How does Malabar Group collaborate with local communities and governments in its CSR endeavours?
Malabar Group engages in various CSR initiatives through collaboration with local communities and governments. It partners with the Kerala Social Security Mission and the Snehasparsham project in Kozhikode for mobile clinic services. Additionally, initiatives such as Hunger-Free World and Grandma Homes are undertaken in collaboration with the Thanal- Daya Rehabilitation Trust. Moreover, Malabar Group collaborates with local NGOs and directly collects applications for its projects. Furthermore, the group extends its support for education through scholarship programmes in collaboration with government schools and colleges.
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5.What future plans does Malabar Group have for its CSR initiatives?
Looking ahead, Malabar Group has some clear plans for its CSR efforts. Firstly, we aim to expand Grandma Home to more states, which focuses on supporting the elderly women. Additionally, welook forward to set up micro-learning centers across India to address education and hunger issues. Lastly, the group will invest 100 crore in the next two years towards different projects, showing their commitment to making a positive impact in communities.
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6.How does Malabar Group measure the impact of its CSR initiatives?
Malabar Group measures the impact of its CSR initiatives through direct studies and research conducted in the project areas. This includes analyzing socio-economic conditions, effectiveness of solutions, and improvements in quality of life. Feedback from stakeholders is also collected to refine projects for better community service.
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7.With operations in diverse regions, how does Malabar Group navigate cultural sensitivities to ensure the effectiveness and acceptance of its CSR programmes?
At Malabar Group, we navigate cultural sensitivities in diverse regions by prioritising deep understanding and respect for local customs. Through extensive research, collaboration with community leaders, and diverse representation within our CSR team, we tailor initiatives to resonate with the values and traditions of each community. Continuous communication and feedback mechanisms ensure that our programmes are not only effective but also culturally sensitive, fostering acceptance and positive impact within the regions we serve.
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8.In what ways does Malabar Group utilise technology and digital platforms to enhance the reach and impact of its CSR initiatives?
Malabar Group, renowned for its commitment to corporate social responsibility, has strategically integrated technology and digital platforms to amplify the reach and impact of its CSR initiatives. Leveraging cutting-edge digital tools, Malabar Group harnesses the power of social media, websites, and mobile applications to engage with a broader audience and raise awareness about its philanthropic endeavours.
Furthermore, the Group employs innovative technologies such as data analytics and AI-driven solutions to streamline operations, optimise resource allocation, and maximise the efficiency of its CSR programmes, ensuring that every initiative delivers tangible benefits to the communities it serves.
By embracing technology, Malabar Group transcends geographical boundaries, enabling seamless communication and collaboration with stakeholders across diverse regions. Through interactive online platforms, the group facilitates transparent reporting and accountability, fostering trust and credibility among donors, partners, and beneficiaries alike. Moreover, Malabar Group continually explores emerging technologies to adapt and evolve its CSR strategies, staying at the forefront of innovation and driving sustainable social impact on a global scale.
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9.Women Empowerment is one of the key pillars of Malabar Group’s CSR focus. Could you share the initiatives aimed at empowering women and the outcomes achieved?
Women empowerment is a central focus of our CSR efforts. We support deprived families with marriage expenses for their daughters, offer scholarships and skill development programmes for women, and run the ‘Golden Heart’ project, aiding girls from financially weaker backgrounds. This initiative is open to all, with transparent selection criteria ensuring the fair distribution of financial aid. These initiatives reflect our commitment to empowering women and fostering gender equality.
The women focused initiatives of the Group with its unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of women has marked significant milestones. Through the Pratyasha programme, Malabar Group, in collaboration with the Kerala Social Security Mission, has provided approximately 5 crore rupees to support 2,000 girlsThe “Golden Heart” initiative that commenced on 3rd May 2019 assists the marriage of poor girls irrespective of caste, religion, or politics, distributing around 9 crore and 17 lakh rupees.
Scholarships are distributed for the higher education of academically outstanding female students. Around 86474 girl students received assistance worth Rs. 53 crores and 07 lakhs.1910 mobile tablets were distributed to female students by MLAs of 140 constituencies in Kerala.
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10.What role does sustainability play in Malabar Group’s overall business strategy?
Sustainability stands as the cornerstone of Malabar Group’s overall business strategy. It’s not just a part but a fundamental aspect guiding our operations. This commitment is evident through our various initiatives. We have dedicated sustainability teams and engage regularly with stakeholders. We incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics into our performance evaluations at both strategic and operational levels. Our approach includes rigorous audits and reporting, stakeholder engagement, employee training, and fostering awareness.
We prioritise innovation and technology adoption to enhance sustainability efforts. Moreover, sustainable practices are integrated throughout our supply chain, emphasising responsible sourcing, ethical labour practices, and environmental stewardship. We set clear targets and goals to drive continuous improvement. Collaboration and partnerships with businesses, NGOs, and governmental organisations are vital for sharing knowledge and advancing sustainability objectives. Additionally, our commitment extends to eco-friendly building practices, aligning with our respect for nature.
(India CSR)
