THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
APRIL 8, 2026
Reinforcing the
transformative role of education in driving inclusive growth, Odisha Deputy
Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Wednesday inaugurated the East Region
Scholarship Programme of Malabar Gold & Diamonds at Rama Devi Women’s
University here, marking a significant milestone in the Group’s nationwide
corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The programme will support
2,000 students in the region with an investment of ₹1.8 crore, forming part of the
company’s broader ₹200 crore National CSR commitment
for FY 2026–27.
Emphasizing the
importance of equitable access to education and basic resources, Singh Deo
noted that initiatives focused on education, nutrition, and essential services
play a crucial role in strengthening grassroots communities and enabling
inclusive development. The initiative is expected to benefit students from
diverse socio-economic backgrounds, enabling them to pursue academic
aspirations without financial constraints.
The nationwide CSR
programme of Malabar Gold & Diamonds spans over 3,000 locations across 19
states and aims to positively impact more than two lakh beneficiaries. With
education at its core, the initiative includes scholarships for 33,000 girls,
expansion of micro-learning centres for street children in collaboration with
the Pratham Education Foundation, and implementation through the Malabar
Charitable Trust. The Group’s CSR framework also addresses hunger relief,
healthcare access, housing support, women empowerment, and environmental
protection.
Across East India,
the company’s initiatives demonstrate measurable social impact. In Jharkhand,
217 micro-learning centres support 9,169 students alongside daily meal
distribution and drinking water infrastructure. Odisha hosts 183 micro-learning
centres benefiting 5,738 students, complemented by meal programmes and safe
water access initiatives. In West Bengal, 192 centres support 7,501 students,
reflecting the Group’s structured and sustained approach to social development.
Chairman M. P. Ahammad highlighted that education remains one of the most effective instruments for long-term societal transformation, enabling individuals to unlock opportunities and contribute meaningfully to economic progress. The Group allocates five percent of its net trading profit towards CSR activities in each country of operation, ensuring sustained investment in social welfare.
Established in 1993, Malabar Gold & Diamonds is the flagship company of the Malabar Group and has emerged as the world’s fifth-largest jewellery retailer, with an annual turnover of $7.36 billion. The company operates more than 425 showrooms across 14 countries, supported by design centres, manufacturing units, wholesale divisions, and global offices spanning India, the Middle East, the Far East, the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
