The Malabar Group, under the visionary leadership of its Chairman, has emerged as a catalyst for social change, spearheading a multitude of transformative initiatives to empower communities and create a more equitable society. One of their most significant initiatives is the "Hunger-Free World" campaign, an ambitious CSR project aimed at eradicating hunger on a grand scale. Aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2 of ending hunger, the Group aims to provide 100,000 meals per day in the near future. They are already serving 32,500 daily meals across multiple locations in India and Africa.
Malabar Group is one of the few corporate entities which have gone beyond the mandated 2% CSR spend and have committed to allocate 5% of its net profits to social welfare activities. They Group has been involved in social initiatives much before the Indian Government passed the CSR legislation. Their sustained efforts in their focus areas of Women Empowerment, Housing, Healthcare, and Environment have led to remarkable reach and impact that includes 75,713 scholarships given to underprivileged girls to pursue their education and assistance given to build 20,177 houses which helped 100,885 individuals have secure home of their own.
In an exclusive interview with Mr. M.P. Ahammed, Chairman of the Malabar Group, we delve deeper into the intricacies of their transformative social initiatives, the impact and his vision for creating a better, more equitable world for every individual in the future.
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Q. Please tell us about Malabar Group’s ‘Hunger-Free World’ campaign- when did it start and what was the motivation behind starting this initiative on such a large scale? Which locations of India and Africa is this initiative currently being implemented in?
A. Our "Hunger-Free World" programme is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project that aims to give daily meals to persons in need. The campaign was started with the intention of tackling the hunger problem and is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 2 of the United Nations, which is to end hunger. Our daily goal is to feed 1 lakh (100,000) people.
The campaign is currently being implemented in various locations in India and Africa. We have collaborated with an association called "Thanal," which is known for its commitment to social service, to carry out this mission. Modern kitchens have been set up in different locations, staffed with well-trained personnel to ensure the preparation of food with utmost care and hygiene. Volunteers from both our team and Thanal are working together to distribute food packages to individuals in need.
The distribution is usually done at hospitals, bus stops and railway stations targeting people on the streets and those in need of assistance. Women and children also gain from this programme, and over 75% of the recipients who receive food everyday are regular. To better understand the needs of the communities they serve, our volunteers undertake surveys to understand the level of poverty in the nation.
Q. It was recently announced that you wish to achieve the milestone of distributing 1,00,000 meals a day. Do you have a plan in mind for scaling this initiative from the current 32,500 meals to the desired milestone?
A. As you mentioned 32,500 meals a day is a great achievement in the given situation. We could achieve this within a few months. As you are aware, we have been allocating 5 percent of the profit for social welfare activities. As the business grows, I believe, we will be able to achieve the target with the support of the society.
Q. How did you choose Thanal as your implementation partner for the Hunger-Free World campaign? What are their deliverables in this initiative?
A. Thanal has been associating with our group for long. The organization, led by a group of committed persons, including professionals, has proved its commitment and credibility by implementing various projects in Kerala and outside.
Q. Do you think that the government’s free ration scheme was effective in mitigating hunger? What other policy level interventions would you recommend if we were to create a hunger free India?
A. Of course, free and subsidized ration through the Public Distribution System provides great solace to the poor families. However, as you would be aware, still there are people who do not have a dwelling or ration card in the society. It is applicable to most of the countries in the world.
Q. Malabar Group has committed to spending 5% of its net profits as opposed to 2% mandated by the CSR Act. What are the driving factors behind such a huge commitment?
A. Five percent is the collective decision of our investors. Every business or industry earns profit with the support of the society. Hence, we are bound to give back to society a portion of our profit. I am proud to say that we began the social welfare activities well before the Government made CSR mandatory with through legislation.
Q. The website of Malabar Charitable Trust indicates four core focus areas: Women Empowerment, Housing, Healthcare and Environment. Could you share your most significant initiatives/achievements under each area in the recent past?
A. Under our women empowerment program, we have implemented two distinct initiatives. The first initiative focuses on providing meritorious scholarship support to girls from vulnerable communities, while the second initiative aims to contribute towards their marriages. The scholarship program has successfully benefited 75,713 direct beneficiaries, enabling them to pursue their education and achieve their full potential. Additionally, the marriage contribution initiative has directly supported 4483 individuals in celebrating this significant milestone in their lives.
In our efforts to improve living conditions, we also provide partial financial support for house construction to those in need. To date, we have assisted in the construction of 20,177 houses, benefiting a total of 100,885 individuals who now have safer and more secure homes.
Moreover, within our organization, we have developed various programs in the medical and environmental sectors. We conduct free mobile medical camps in collaboration with different hospitals, offering vital healthcare services to those who lack access to adequate medical facilities. Furthermore, we distribute medicines to those in need and provide situation-based support to address specific challenges faced by communities in these areas.
Through these diverse initiatives, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities, promoting empowerment, well-being, and sustainability.
Q. The Trust’s website also allows for external donations for social initiatives. What percentage of the overall budget comes from external donations? Are these mostly individual contributions or do other corporates also support your projects?
A. Trust website allows external donations but we don't get fund through the donation gateway as we don't promote such donations. We have received around 6% of contributions from the Malabar director board members’ personal contributions.
Q. What is your CSR vision for the medium and long-term future- what type of initiatives would you like to undertake, is there a possibility of entering into new domains or trying different implementation mechanisms?
A. Our guiding vision is to create a world where every individual, especially women, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to live a fulfilling life with dignity and respect, and to have access to basic needs such as food, water, shelter, education, and healthcare and ultimately create a dignified “Hunger Free World”.
We always implement projects aligned with state's interests. Currently we are focusing on Women empowerment and Hunger free world programs as Indian government and UN are promoting Non-Governmental bodies to support on the same area.
