Tag: Sustainability

Business

Malabar Gold & Diamonds Expands ‘Hunger Free World’ Initiative to Ethiopia, Scaling Its Global Impact

allycaralgoa

Business Desk, Team Allycaral
Mumbai, November 12, 2025: In a remarkable step toward global social responsibility, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the world’s fifth-largest jewellery retailer, has announced the expansion of its acclaimed Hunger Free World initiative to Ethiopia.

Following its transformative success in India and Zambia, the initiative will now support 10,000 children across five schools in Adama City, Oromia region, by 2026. The project aims to provide daily meals, scholarships, digital literacy, and library development programs, thereby promoting both nutrition and educational equity.

The announcement took place at the Malabar International Hub in the Dubai Gold Souq, where Mr. Abdul Salam K.P, Vice Chairman of Malabar Group, officially handed over the Letter of Intent to H.E. Asmelash Bekele, Consul General of Ethiopia in Dubai.

“Our commitment to the communities we serve goes beyond business. Hunger Free World has transformed countless lives, and its expansion to Ethiopia reinforces our mission of sustainable and inclusive growth,”
said Mr. M.P. Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Group.

With an investment of USD 864,000 over the next two years, the program will not only ensure daily nutrition for children but also promote local employment by engaging parents, teachers, and local suppliers.

Mr. Shamlal Ahamed, MD of International Operations, highlighted,

“In addition to school feeding programs, our initiatives in Ethiopia will include scholarships, mentorships, digital literacy, and library development. This marks another milestone in our journey to end hunger and foster education equity globally.”

The Hunger Free World initiative, a cornerstone of Malabar’s ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) commitments, currently provides over 85,000 meals daily across 170 locations worldwide. Its expansion aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — notably Zero Hunger, Quality Education, and Gender Equality.

Founded in 1993, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has become a global symbol of ethical business practices and community service. The group allocates 5% of its net profits to CSR — more than double India’s mandated corporate contribution — supporting causes such as health, housing, women’s empowerment, and the environment.

Through initiatives like Hunger Free World, Malabar demonstrates how Indian entrepreneurship can drive global change — building bridges between business success and social transformation. 🌍💛

Business

Dr. Sagar Salgaocar Takes Charge as Chairman of ASSOCHAM Goa, Driving Vision for Viksit Goa 2037

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa’s business community has welcomed new leadership at the helm of the ASSOCHAM Goa State Council, as Dr. Sagar Salgaocar, Managing Director of Geno Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., takes charge as Chairman. Joining him as Co-Chairman is Shri Mangirish Salelkar, CEO of Umang Software Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Their appointment comes under the national leadership of Shri Nirmal Minda, Executive Chairman of UNO Minda Group and the newly elected President of ASSOCHAM India.

As the former Co-Chairman of the State Council, Dr. Sagar Salgaocar has played a key role in fostering strategic partnerships between industry, government, and civil society. His leadership has significantly contributed to Goa’s socio-economic progress by building platforms for dialogue and collaboration between diverse sectors.

Speaking about his new role, Dr. Salgaocar said, “In addition to our ongoing initiatives, we will focus on new growth areas such as education, tourism, sustainability, environment, start-ups, and MSME acceleration. The goal is to enhance the ease of doing business and promote ‘Make in India’ across Goa while collaborating with trade bodies to create employment and business opportunities.”

Co-Chairman Shri Mangirish Salelkar expressed a forward-looking vision focused on innovation and inclusivity. “Our goal is to make Goa a hub where technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship work hand in hand. Fostering innovation and bridging the industry-government and industry-academia gaps are essential to contribute towards the vision of Viksit Goa 2037,” he shared.

The new leadership marks a significant step toward aligning Goa’s industrial growth with national development priorities, creating a stronger ecosystem for businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators. With a focus on collaboration, sustainability, and the empowerment of MSMEs, ASSOCHAM Goa’s renewed leadership is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the State’s economic and innovation-driven future.

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Revives Over 20 Hectares of Farmland in Maem with ‘Back to Farming’ Initiative

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Vedanta Sesa Goa – Iron Ore Goa, recognizing the need to support local farmers, has launched the ‘Back to Farming’ initiative in Maem, aimed at rejuvenating over 20 hectares of uncultivated land and empowering more than 150 farming families. The project is designed to provide critical support to agricultural activities, enhance crop yields, and encourage the younger generation to take an active interest in farming.

A key aspect of the initiative is the construction of a traditional water storage system, known locally as a ‘bandhara’, which will augment irrigation facilities and enable farmers to cultivate double crops as well as vegetables. The foundation stone for the bandhara was laid in a ceremony attended by Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA for Maem, along with Vedanta IOG executives, Panchayat members, and community members.

Currently, factors such as high input costs, expensive farm machinery, and a declining interest in farming among the youth have left several large land tracts uncultivated. Vedanta Sesa Goa is actively mapping these areas across the villages of Mulgao, Piligao, Maem, and Bordem, providing scientific guidance, construction of fences, and water storage mechanisms to support sustainable farming practices.

Speaking at the ceremony, Shri Premendra Shet emphasized the significance of this initiative in preserving Goa’s agrarian heritage, strengthening farmer livelihoods, and ensuring sustainable rural development. Farmers, including Mr. Dilip Shet of Maem, highlighted the importance of Vedanta’s support in giving uncultivated land a second lease of life and sustaining agricultural practices for future generations.

This initiative builds on Vedanta IOG’s previous successes in Piligao, where over 20 hectares of uncultivated land were rejuvenated through the ‘Hands to Help’ farmers’ association. Similar projects are also underway in Amona and Navelim, further cementing Vedanta Sesa Goa’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, community engagement, and rural development in Goa.

Social

Navelim Leads the Way in Sustainability with Successful E-Waste Collection Drive

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Lions Club of Navelim marked a significant step toward environmental responsibility with a successful e-waste collection drive held at Rosary Church, Navelim. The initiative, led by MJF Lion Joseph D’Costa, District Coordinator for E-Waste Collection Awareness, received an enthusiastic response from parishioners who turned up in large numbers to deposit their discarded electronic items.

Supported by MJF Lion Trevor Mascarenhas and other dedicated Lions members, the drive aimed to promote responsible disposal and recycling of electronic waste, a growing concern in modern households. The event saw participation and encouragement from prominent Lions officials including District Governor Lion JaiAmol Naik, DCS Lion Kirti Naik, PDG Lion Sasindran Nair, Region Chairperson Lion Dharmu Raut Desai, and Parish Priest Fr. Gabriel Coutinho, who lauded the initiative for its positive environmental impact and community engagement.

The collected e-waste comprised a wide range of items such as computers, printers, TV sets, music systems, mobile phones, and UPS units. All the materials were responsibly handed over to a government-approved waste collection agency for safe and compliant recycling.

The drive not only reduced the local electronic waste burden but also raised awareness about the importance of sustainable waste management and recycling. It reflected the Lions Club’s ongoing commitment to community service and environmental conservation, setting a strong example for other regions in Goa to follow.

Events in Goa

MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 Opens in Goa with a Strong Call for Green Transition in India’s Steel Sector

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa, November 9, 2025 — The MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 (MSSC 2025), organised by the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), opened today at ITC Grand Goa, marking the state’s first major ferrous-focused steel and recycling conference. Supported by the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, and the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST), the two-day event drew over 300 delegates, including steelmakers, recyclers, policymakers, and sustainability experts from across India.

The conference, themed “Green Steel and Sustainable Growth,” aims to accelerate India’s transition toward low-carbon steelmaking, aligning with the government’s roadmap for 300 million tonnes of sustainable steel production by 2030. The inauguration began with the traditional lamp lighting, followed by a welcome address by Mr. Zain Nathani, Vice President, MRAI, who emphasized that the discussions held at MSSC 2025 would define the next decade of India’s steel industry, particularly in the domains of standards, sustainability, and innovation.

Mr. Keyur Shah, Managing Director, Mono Steel (India) Ltd. and MRAI Board Director, noted that this marks Goa’s first ferrous conference by MRAI and highlighted the association’s evolution from 45 members to over 1,800. He also discussed significant policy wins such as zero import duty on ferrous scrap, simplified PCI procedures, and India’s vehicle scrappage policy under NITI Aayog, while announcing plans for green circular recycling parks and skill development programs.

Mr. Yogesh Mandhani, President of the All India Induction Furnace Association (AIIFA), reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to sustainability, citing that 17 companies have already received Green Steel Certificates from NISST. He stressed that collaboration between the industry and government will be crucial in ensuring affordable, sustainable steel production.

MRAI President Mr. Sanjay Mehta lauded the Ministry of Steel’s proactive engagement, noting that MRAI now operates across 11 recycling verticals in partnership with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Environment. He also announced plans for upcoming vertical-specific conferences across India, covering both ferrous and non-ferrous sectors.

Addressing the conference, Shri Parmjeet Singh, Director of NISST, outlined India’s Green Steel Taxonomy, introduced in December 2024, which provides the framework for classifying low-carbon steel. He highlighted that 47% of India’s 200 million tonnes of steel capacity comes from the secondary sector and 38% of this production uses ferrous scrap — underscoring recycling’s pivotal role in sustainability.

In a virtual address, Shri V. K. Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, noted that India, now the world’s second-largest steel producer with 152 million tonnes of crude steel output, must focus on producing steel sustainably. He outlined the ministry’s strategy of short-term energy efficiency, medium-term hydrogen and carbon capture, and long-term net-zero steelmaking by 2070.

The inaugural day featured technical sessions on BIS standards and the evolving green steel market. BIS Director Shri Dwaipayan Bhadra emphasized the organisation’s collaborative and research-driven approach to standards, while a second session moderated by Mr. Abhijit Kulkarni of EY–Parthenon explored green steel procurement, financing, and policy frameworks.

Panellists from CII, RMI India Foundation, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Metalogic PMS discussed the importance of supportive policies and concessional financing to enable MSMEs to join the green transition. The day concluded with a networking dinner, fostering collaboration among government officials, industry leaders, and sustainability experts against Goa’s coastal backdrop.

The MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 continues on November 10, featuring discussions on carbon credits, recycling technology, and policy roadmaps for India’s sustainable industrial future.