National News
Malabar Gold & Diamonds Awarded Scholarships to 350+ Girl Students in Ghatkopar Reinforcing its vision of Women Empowerment
Malabar Group, India’s leading business conglomerate and the parent company of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young women through education by awarding scholarships worth ₹29,00,000 to over 350 deserving girl students across 30+ schools.
The scholarship distribution ceremony was held at Zaverben Popatlal Sabhagruha Auditorium, Ghatkopar, Mumbai, where financial aid was provided to ensure these students can pursue their academic aspirations without constraints. This initiative reflects Malabar Group’s dedication to fostering education and enabling young women to build a brighter future.
The event was graced by the presence of Shri Sanjay Mukund Kelkar, Member of the Maharashtra Assembly, as the chief guest. His participation underscored the importance of collective efforts in promoting women’s education, further strengthening their role in society and helping them achieve a position of dignity and respect.
Speaking in regards to the initiative, MP Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Group, said, “Providing Education to young girls is the most effective ways of ensuring positive change as education lays the foundation of a progressive nation, and equipping young women with the means and knowledge for betterment is one of the most impactful ways of ensuring a brighter future. These scholarships are not just supposed to be an economic aid to the students; but they are also investments in the future of our society, ensuring that no young girl has to compromise on reaching the pinnacle of her potential, due to financial misfortune”
Since its establishment in 1999, the Malabar Charitable Trust has been at the forefront of numerous social welfare initiatives. Malabar Group dedicates 5% of its annual profits to CSR activities, focusing on education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and poverty alleviation.
The Malabar Scholarship program, a flagship initiative under the Group’s CSR framework, continues to bridge educational gaps for marginalized communities. By fostering academic opportunities for young girls, Malabar Group aims to create a ripple effect of progress that extends beyond individuals to families and entire communities.
The group’s overarching narrative to support education and skill development across India is further highlighted by this Scholarship distribution event in Mumbai. Malabar Group’s broader mission to support sustained initiatives has seen the Group remain committed to empowering future generations and fostering an inclusive, educated society for all.
National News
Gold Industry Proposes New Strategy To Cut Imports and Boost Local Economy
Precious Metals Refineries Forum (PMRF) Has Proposed A Two-Track System To Manage Gold More Efficiently
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to reduce gold imports and foreign travel, major Indian bullion and jewellery bodies have submitted a new plan to the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The strategy aims to lower the nation’s trade deficit by tapping into the estimated 30,000 tonnes of gold sitting in Indian households.
This move comes after India’s gold imports jumped 24% to a record $71.9 billion in the 2025-26 financial year, with over 721 tonnes of gold brought into the country.
The New Strategy: Two Separate Systems
The Precious Metals Refineries Forum (PMRF) has proposed a two-track system to manage gold more efficiently:
- For Exporters: Imported gold should be strictly saved for jewellery exporters using one-year Gold Metal Loans (GML).
- For Local Buyers: Domestic demand should be met entirely by recycling household gold. This gold would be collected from citizens, refined locally, and sold back through jewellers and retailers.
Under this plan, people who deposit their idle gold could earn 2% to 2.5% interest, while businesses taking gold loans would pay an interest rate of 3% to 4%.
Fixing Why Past Schemes Failed
Previous government gold schemes failed to gain traction primarily because they left out local jewellers and lacked a proper banking structure. Without a joined-up system, institutions faced high financial risks from changing gold prices.
To fix this, trade bodies are calling for a complete system that includes:
- Direct involvement of trusted local jewellers. The schemes did not take off in the past because jewellers were not part of them. About 10% to 20% of family gold is held as bars or coins.
- Strong bank backing and secure storage vaults across the country.
- Tax incentives, such as removing the 3% GST loss when physical gold is converted into Electronic Gold Receipts (EGR), and offering income tax relief on the interest earned.
Industry Support
Industry experts say a smooth system is already possible. Collection and purity testing centres have confirmed that collected household gold can be processed within 48 hours and safely moved to secure, bank-approved vaults.
Representatives from the Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) recently held discussions with RBI officials to fast-track these changes.
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