Tag: Corporate Social Responsibility

Health

Organ Donation Awareness Session at Bicholim Mineral Block, Sesa Goa Vedanta Ltd.

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Health Desk

On November 19, 2025, Mr. Gabriel Pereira, Organ Donation Ambassador with the MOHAN Foundation, conducted an informative session on organ donation for the officers of Block 1, Bicholim Mineral Block at Sesa Goa Vedanta Ltd., Bicholim, Goa. The session was organized after Dr. Sunny Sarkar (MBBS, AFIH) learned about the MOHAN Foundation through the organ donation and transplant helpline at the Purple Fest 2025 and invited Mr. Pereira to raise awareness among the company’s workforce.

During the session, Gabriel introduced the MOHAN Foundation and highlighted its work over the past 28 years in promoting organ donation across India. With around 13 centres nationwide and headquarters in Chennai, the foundation has established an information centre in Goa to promote organ donation awareness throughout the state.

Gabriel explained that organ donation is only possible when a person is declared brain dead. Many people mistakenly believe that organs can still be donated if someone dies at home and the body is taken to a hospital promptly. He clarified that once death occurs at home, the organs cease to function, making organ donation impossible.

He further elaborated that in cases of brain death due to road traffic accidents or brain haemorrhages, medical teams initially make every effort to save the patient’s life. After treatments or surgeries, the patient is moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). If the patient does not respond, an authorised panel assesses and certifies brain stem death. Once brain death is confirmed, families are counselled about organ donation, and their consent is essential for the process to proceed.

Gabriel emphasized that only a small percentage of people have the opportunity to donate organs, but individuals can still contribute by donating tissues such as corneas, skin, or even the entire body after death at home.

The session concluded with Gabriel distributing a list of frequently asked questions on organ donation and sharing a presentation video. This included an animated short film by Shweta Gupta explaining brain death and a film on organ donation produced by ROTTO-SOTTO, Mumbai, to enhance understanding among employees.

Approximately 30 officers attended the session, and 20 individuals took donor cards, expressing their commitment to organ donation. Gabriel expressed gratitude to Dr. Sunny Sarkar and the officers of Block 1, Bicholim Mineral Block for giving the MOHAN Foundation the opportunity to conduct this impactful awareness session.

Social

Malabar Group Celebrates Children’s Day Across 1531 Micro Learning Centres in India

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Malabar Group, one of the world’s leading jewellery retailers, celebrated Children’s Day with heartfelt programmes across its 1531 Micro Learning Centres spread throughout India. More than sixty thousand underprivileged children supported by these centres took part in the celebrations, which began with the distribution of sweets and continued with activities designed to create a joyful, inclusive, and enriching environment for every child. Senior representatives from Malabar Group, community leaders, and dignitaries were present at various centres, making the day memorable for the young participants.

The Micro Learning Centres were established to support children who had been forced into labour or had to discontinue schooling due to difficult social or economic circumstances. Each centre provides a full year of age-appropriate primary education, enabling these children to transition back into the formal school system. Parents, community leaders, police officials, health department personnel, and Malabar Group teams joined the children in activities intended to build confidence, encourage participation, and nurture a love for learning.

Nutrition plays an equally vital role in the functioning of the centres. By offering milk, fruits, and eggs daily, the MLCs ensure that children receive essential nourishment to help them focus and learn better. The programme relies on trained graduates from local communities who serve as teachers, maintaining a ratio of one teacher for every forty children. This grassroots model has already borne remarkable results, with approximately thirty thousand children successfully returning to mainstream education through the initiative.

Speaking about the significance of the programme, Malabar Group Chairman M. P. Ahammed emphasized that the initiative addresses two of the most crucial needs of children—nutrition and education. He stated that a child learns best when they feel secure and cared for, and that nourishment strengthens their ability to study while education gives them direction. Together, these two elements empower a child to build a future rooted in confidence and dignity. He added that the Micro Learning Centres reflect the Group’s commitment to long-term community upliftment and form a key part of its broader CSR efforts.

The centres operate under Malabar Group’s Hunger Free World initiative, which distributes one lakh five thousand food packets every day across India while also supporting communities in Zambia and Ethiopia. Over the years, the Group has invested more than three hundred and fifty-six crore rupees in various social welfare programmes. These initiatives have touched the lives of more than seventeen lakh beneficiaries, spanning key areas such as women’s empowerment, healthcare access, educational scholarships for girls, and the Grandma Home initiative that provides shelter and care for elderly women.

This Children’s Day celebration across the Micro Learning Centres once again highlighted Malabar Group’s belief that every child deserves access to nourishment, education, and opportunities to grow with dignity. The celebrations not only brought joy to thousands of young faces but also reinforced the Group’s ongoing commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities through sustained social impact initiatives.

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Crosses 1 Million Meals Mark Through #RunForZeroHunger Initiative

Tanisha Cardozo

Vedanta Sesa Goa has achieved a landmark milestone by contributing over 1 million meals since 2022 as part of the ongoing #RunForZeroHunger campaign. Aligned with the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM), the initiative uses the ‘Step Set Go’ app where every kilometre logged translates into a meal donated—impacting lives across communities, children, and even animals in need.

In the 42-day 2025 edition, Vedanta Sesa Goa organised over 30 events across five states—Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Karnataka—demonstrating the company’s strong commitment to community welfare. In Goa, impactful local events were held in Bicholim, Amona, and Panjim, with over 20 individuals contributing more than 1,500 km, converting into direct meal support. The campaign reached its emotional high with the Funrise Walkathon at Divar Island, where a large crowd walked in solidarity for a world without hunger.

The campaign also integrated seamlessly with Swachhotsav – Swachhata Hi Seva 2025, an initiative led by the Indian Bureau of Mines and the Directorate General of Mines Safety. These joint efforts helped raise awareness about hygiene, cleanliness, and civic responsibility through walkathons and other outreach activities—further elevating the cause beyond hunger eradication.

Speaking at the culminating event, Navin Jaju, CEO of Sesa Goa, said, “Congratulations to the entire Sesa Goa family for their spirited participation in the #RunForZeroHunger. Across locations, the zest for a hunger-free world was visible. I thank everyone for their resolve to give back meaningfully to the world.”

Crucially, this campaign brought together a vibrant mix of employees, business partners, local communities, and students from schools and colleges, showing the power of collective action. By merging health, responsibility, and community service, Vedanta Sesa Goa has set a new benchmark in what corporate social responsibility can truly achieve—one kilometre, and one meal, at a time.

Social

Southeast Bank Honors 53 Meritorious Students of Employees for Academic Excellence

Tanisha Cardozo

Southeast Bank PLC. proudly celebrated the outstanding academic achievements of 53 meritorious students, all of whom are children of the Bank’s dedicated employees. These students earned remarkable results in 2025—securing GPA-5 in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams and achieving six A Grades in their O-Level examinations.

To honor their hard work and excellence, the Bank organized a special award ceremony filled with pride, joy, and celebration. The event served as a platform to not only appreciate the students but also to recognize the unwavering support of their families. Students were presented with crests, certificates, and thoughtful gifts as tokens of appreciation. The occasion aimed to uplift the morale of employees and reinforce a culture of academic encouragement and family value within the Bank.

The prestigious event was graced by the honorable Chairman of Southeast Bank, Mr. M. A. Kashem, who attended as the Chief Guest. He personally handed over the awards to the students and delivered an inspiring speech. In his remarks, he lauded the dedication, focus, and perseverance of the students and acknowledged the crucial role played by parents and families in nurturing such success.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. Their achievements reflect not only personal excellence but also the nurturing environment provided by their families and institutions. Southeast Bank takes pride in celebrating and supporting such brilliance,” said Mr. Kashem.

This initiative marked a historic moment for Southeast Bank as it was the first such recognition program in the Bank’s history. It was widely applauded across all levels of the organization. The celebration fostered a deep sense of pride and happiness among employees, highlighting the Bank’s genuine investment in the well-being and success of its workforce and their families.

Since taking office, Mr. M. A. Kashem has championed a number of employee-focused initiatives, including comprehensive insurance services and now this landmark felicitation program. These programs underscore the Bank’s broader commitment to employee welfare, educational development, and corporate social responsibility.

The ceremony concluded on a high note with words of encouragement for the young achievers, motivating them to continue striving for excellence in all their future academic and professional pursuits.

Social

Tata Sons Establish ‘AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust’ with ₹500 Crore Commitment for Victims and Relief Support

Tanisha Cardozo

Mumbai | July 19, 2025: Tata Sons today announced the formal registration of a new public charitable initiative – The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust, in memory of the victims of the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 accident that occurred in Ahmedabad. The trust will provide compassionate relief and long-term support to the bereaved families, injured passengers, and even frontline workers and institutional caregivers impacted by the incident.

In a landmark philanthropic commitment, Tata Sons and Tata Trusts have jointly pledged a total of ₹500 crores — with ₹250 crores each — toward the trust’s objectives.

Key Components of the Trust:

  • ₹1 crore ex-gratia compensation for each deceased individual
  • Full medical treatment and rehabilitation for those who suffered serious injuries
  • Support for rebuilding infrastructure including the B.J. Medical College hostel, which was partially destroyed in the incident
  • Psychosocial support and welfare aid for first responders, healthcare staff, disaster management professionals, and social workers who were involved in post-crisis relief operations.

The trust will be governed by a five-member Board of Trustees, with Mr. S. Padmanabhan (former Tata veteran) and Mr. Sidharth Sharma (General Counsel, Tata Sons) already appointed. Additional trustees will be added in the coming weeks.

Operations will commence after registration with the tax and regulatory authorities is finalized. Tata Group reaffirmed that this trust is more than a monetary pledge — it is a long-term commitment to healing, rebuilding, and honoring lives lost and efforts made in the face of tragedy.

This move reflects the Tata Group’s legacy of responsibility and empathy during national crises, aligning deeply with its values of community care, resilience, and ethical leadership.