Malabar Group Signs MoU with WHO India to Launch ‘Nurturing Beginnings’ Project

Hyderabad, 18 September 2025 —Malabar Group, as part of its steadfast commitment to social responsibility, has launched a new CSR initiative, NURTURING BEGINNINGS, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) India. The initiative aims to improve the nutrition and overall well-being of mothers and children from disadvantaged urban communities while fostering children’s mental and intellectual development.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Malabar Group’s Headquarters in Kuttikkatoor, Kozhikode, in the presence of Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India; Dr. B. Muhammad Asheel, National Professional Officer of WHO; M.P. Ahammad, Chairman, Malabar Group; Asher. O, Managing Director – India Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Nishad A.K, Group Executive Director; NGO Organization Thanal Chairman Dr. V. Idrees; Malabar Group Senior Directors, Management Team Members, and other dignitaries. The project will be executed through the Malabar Charitable Trust.

Building on the Group’s flagship Hunger Free World program, the NURTURING BEGINNINGS project is based on global research that emphasizes the first 1,000 days—from conception to a child’s early growth years—as being critical for physical, mental, and intellectual development. To address this, the project will provide free nutritious food, medical services, and mental health support to mothers and children. The initiative will begin in Delhi’s urban communities and later expand to other states.

M.P. Ahammad, Chairman, Malabar Group, said:

“NURTURING BEGINNINGS is very important to us as it extends the impact of our Hunger Free World initiative. Only when children receive proper nutrition from conception through their early years can they reach their full potential. By collaborating with WHO India, Malabar Group acknowledges its responsibility in shaping a healthier society. We are deeply grateful to WHO for their support.”

Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, said:

“WHO congratulates Malabar Group for initiating such a vital project. Nutrition and care are fundamental rights of mothers and children, and the responsibility of society. We are confident that the NURTURING BEGINNINGS project will be a great success.”

Dr. P. Muhammad Asheel, National Professional Officer, WHO India, added:

“This project has the potential to significantly improve child development in socially and economically backward communities. WHO India will extend full support to Malabar Group for successful implementation.”

Since its inception in 1993, Malabar Group has consistently allocated 5% of its profits towards CSR initiatives. Through Hunger Free World, the Group currently provides free nutritious meals to 60,000 people daily in India and 10,000 students in Zambia. Over 700 micro-learning centers have been established across India, enabling more than 30,000 children to return to school. The Group also runs Grandma Home for destitute mothers, and since 2007 has awarded over 1.15 lakh scholarships to girl students, including a planned 33,000 scholarships this year alone.

Malabar Group’s CSR initiatives span health, housing, education, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability, reflecting its vision of inclusive social development.