Promotion of Vocational Skills and Livelihoods

Promotion of Vocational Skills & Livelihoods

Over the years, we have organised skill development courses in computers and tailoring in Ratnagiri and Masar, empowering more than 500 women, thereby giving them a means of financial independence. We have collaborated on various initiatives with partner organisations to train women and youth in multiple trades.

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migrants and their families
migrants and their families

trained to be farmers

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widows trained
widows trained

to be farmers

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women on average
women on average

trained since 2018 in Ratnagiri, Pune and Masar

An agreement to support entrepreneurship among rural women in Pune

(Backed by Finolex Industries, Supported by Science and Technology Park, Pune)

Becoming an entrepreneur is hard, especially when you’re a woman in a rural setting. So we decided to empower rural women in collaboration with the Science and Technology Park, Pune, to skill them in dairy farming, dairy distillery and making dairy products.

The project – Skilling and Income Generation through Small Scale Dairy Product Manufacturing Unit for Women Micro-Entrepreneurs and Dairy Farmers – will empower the members of Adarsh Mahila Bachat Gat in Panwadi as also other dairy farmers with the skills required to set up a dairy processing unit on a small scale.

These skills will enable them to provide untouched cow’s milk from the most advanced dairy. This pure cow’s milk will be delivered straight from the farm, within 12 hours of milking, to Pune.

  • Panwadi Milk Dairy Training session

On Oct 31st, 2022, Dr Rajendra Jagdale, Director, Science and Technology Park, Pune, signed an agreement in the presence of Team MMF and the villagers of Panwadi.

  • FIL team and ITI girls interaction on plumbing subject

Industrial Visit for students from ITI Girls College, Aundh, Pune to Finolex Industries Plant at Urse, Pune

(Backed by Finolex Industries)

As students of vocational courses, young people need to watch professionals at work and interact with them to fully understand what a particular vocation entails.

In continuation of our support to the plumbing course students from ITI Girls College, Aundh, Pune, we had organised an industrial visit to the Finolex Industries Plant at Urse on September 22nd, 2022. The objective was to provide the students with an insight into the internal processes of the company, and to enhance interpersonal skills and communication techniques. A total of 28 girls and 2 faculty members visited the plant.

Mr Sanjay Arote, Mr Medge and Mr Chandrakant Chigate from Finolex Industries Limited facilitated the students in this tour and took them through all the processes. The students interacted with the quality assurance team, and with Mr Kishor Waikar and Mr Chunnilal Parvani. The teachers and students from ITI Aundh were delighted with these interactions and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to us for this visit.

Acknowledging the efforts of armed forces, law and order officials and frontline workers on Raksha Bandhan

(Backed by Finolex Industries)

Celebrating unity and affection, Raksha Bandhan has been observed for many years now by Indians across the world as a means to express their emotions more than a ritual or tradition. On the occasion this year, FIL and MMF jointly decided to appreciate the services of law-and-order officials like soldiers, and policemen, apart from other communities like front-line workers and students.

The speciality this year were the Rakhis made by our project beneficiaries which included children with Cerebral Palsy and Thalassemia, rural women who are associated with the Finolex Skilling Centres in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra and Masar, Gujarat, inmates at the Mental Hospital in Pune, and our students at the Mukul Madhav Vidyalaya in Ratnagiri. Locations, where the rakhis were sent to the armed forces, included Rajasthan, Leh-Ladakh and Siachen along with the Coast Guard office and Police Station in Ratnagiri. Other locations included the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre in Pune, 7 different schools in Masar Gujarat and the Remand Home in Ratnagiri.

  • MMF team members tied Rakhi To the Army Jawans

With over three thousand such Rakhis distributed, we also organised an event at the Military Station in Aundh, Pune where differently-abled children from our beneficiary projects along with our team members tied Rakhis for the armed forces personnel.

  • Canteen run by the 2 widows at ECHS military block

Ongoing initiative for empowering widows

(Backed by Finolex Industries)

Over the last few years, we have been focusing on multiple initiatives for empowering widows to create economic stability. Recently, we added more beneficiaries through two initiatives we helped them to connect with to build financial independence and ensure they live a life of dignity.

On 23rd July, as part of the initiative to support two widowed women who were identified, with the support of Mr. Vinayak Deokar of Mahatma Gandhi School, we helped connect them with ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Service) required a canteen to be set up. On hearing the request, the ECHS team was happy to meet and connect with the ladies and offered them a space to set up a stall within their premises for tea, coffee, and snacks.

The ECHS scheme aims to provide allopathic and medical care to ex-servicemen pensioners and their dependents through a network of Polyclinics, Medical Facilities, Government Hospitals, and empanelled private hospitals (approved by the Government). Some of the initiatives through which we have aided ECHS (Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) Lohegaon, Pune in the past include providing physiotherapy equipment, air conditioners, refrigerators for medicine storage and blood analysers in 2018 and meeting the sanitation and hygiene essentials during the pandemic.

We also assisted in connecting these women with the Yerawada Mental Hospital, where we had donated a machine to make paper plates three years ago. These paper plates will be procured by us with the support of FIL as part of an ongoing initiative. Moreover, we ensured these women were also provided with utensils and other basic needs to set up their livelihood project.

Additional training programmes on betel nut cultivation conducted for farmers in Tripura

(Initiated by Yuva Vikash Kendra (YVK), Backed by Finolex Industries, Supported by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of Tripura)

We have been conducting various sessions hosted by experts on betel nut farming in Tripura since 2021, with the support of FIL and our on-ground partner-Yuva Vikash Kendra (YVK). In June 2022, 120 farmers received betel nut saplings to offer a livelihood opportunity as part of this outreach.

A one-day Training Program under the Betel Nut Cultivation Project at Bhadra Miship was held on 26th July 2022, followed by an additional session on 28th July 2022. The opening note was shared by Mr. Pinku Das, Managing Trustee of YVK (Yuva Vikash Kendra), who welcomed the attendees.

  • Betel Nut Cultivation Training

As part of the first technical session, Mr. Prabir Das, Assistant Director from the Department of Agriculture, spoke about “Changing Market Environment: Issues and Strategies”. While he discussed the threats faced by farmers because of globalisation, he also highlighted the advantages of betel nut cultivation. Commending our combined efforts with YVK, he stressed the point about how betel nut is a very profitable crop for the farmers.

Dr. Mandira Chakraborti of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Belbari, started the second session with an awareness of the scientific techniques adopted by farmers, and how they earn more profits by cultivating different crops on the same land. With insights from the recent research by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, she spoke about a technique named mulching that has become profitable for farmers cultivating betel nut alongside crops like dal, pineapple, and banana on the same land.

It was a productive session for the attendees and the speakers, as key queries were raised and responded to using scientific concepts and research outcomes. Mr. Rajib Debbarma, the Program Coordinator of YVK, concluded the training programme by thanking the speakers, guests, and attendees for their active participation.

  • Lady beneficaries at the donation of sheep

Empowering underprivileged women in Jammu and Kashmir to earn a sustainable income

(Backed by Finolex Industries, Supported by HELP (Human Efforts for Love and Peace) Foundation, Jammu and Kashmir)

With the right support and opportunities, women in Kashmir can play an important role as peace builders in their respective communities. Many Kashmiri women are now relying on sheep rearing as a source of income, and a means to become self-reliant.

With the support of our local partner- HELP (Human Efforts for Love and Peace) Foundation, we have launched a new initiative to enhance the employment opportunities of these marginalised women by offering relevant training and market connection. Founded by Mrs. Nighat Shafi Pandit, the foundation focuses on a range of initiatives to promote peace and communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir, including educating orphans, and supporting widows.

A total of 100 sheep were donated to 20 women from an underprivileged background, widows and those who rely on farming, allowing them to earn a sustainable income to support their households. An official ceremony was held on 17th June 2022 in the presence of Mrs. Nighat Shafi Pandit, Mr. Gazi, FIL, and representatives from the Animal Husbandry department.

We hope to support more such women through projects which ensure their upskilling, enhance their market understanding and enable them to be independent.

Beekeeping kits donation to tribal women in Mokhada, Palghar

(Backed by FIL and its CSR partner, MMF, The Rotary Club South Bombay, and The FICCI FLO Pune and Mumbai chapters)

Finolex Industries partnered with Mukul Madhav Foundation and collaborated with other non-profit partners such as The Rotary Club South Bombay, The FICCI FLO Pune and The FICCI FLO Mumbai. Together they supported 47 tribal women in Mokhada, Palghar by providing them with beekeeping kits for the extraction of honey.

These women, aged between 25 and 45, underwent a week-long training programme where they were taught the basics of bee biology and behaviour, the roles played by the different members in a bee colony, their life cycles, and behaviours in different seasons of the year. They also learned various beekeeping systems which will enable them to appreciate the importance of keeping bees in hives, understand the economic importance of the different beekeeping systems and select the most appropriate system (the best hive type) for their areas based on the cost.

  • The MMF, Rotary, FICCI and the Villagers with there bee Boxes at the distribution

Aided with the right knowledge and technical know-how, these tribal women will now be able to start their own small honey production businesses, making them independent, self-reliant and confident to generate employment opportunities for themselves.

These kits were handed over to each beneficiary in the presence of members from The Rotary Club (Rotary SOBO), the Sarpanch of Waghachi Wadi, Team Yuva Parivartan and members from MMF and Finolex on the 11th of May.

  • Certificate given to the Students at Skill Development Center

19 women students from Gavasad Skill Development Center, Gujarat, receive certification on 26th March 2022 for completing basic tailoring course

(Funded by FIL)

MMF started the Gavasad Skill Center in November-2018 and till date 80 plus women from 6 batches have successfully been able to complete the tailoring training and gained a livelihood from it. Presently, the 7th batch of the Gavasad Skill Center has started.

*On the day of their convocation their family members were also invited so that these women are encouraged and motivated. In addition to this their photographs, receiving certificates were framed and distributed on 2nd April 2022.

These women students were surprised and overjoyed with the surprise and mentioned that they would keep this as their beloved memory.

Betal Nut / Supari Plantation Project by YVK (Yuva Vikash Kendra) with the help of FIL - MMF started in Devipur ADC Village, South Tripura.

(Funded by FIL)

On March 30, 2022 : With the aim of making rural farmers self-reliant through betel nut cultivation, a one-day beneficiary selection and awareness workshop has been organized at Devipur ADC Village, South Tripura by the Gandhian Youth Organization of Tripura Yuva Vikash Kendra with the help of Finolex Industry Limited CSR Partner Mukul Madhav Foundation, Pune. In today’s program, 28 youth and women farmers of the village have participated. All the beneficiaries have been informed in detail about this project by the organizers and the ideas have been exchanged among themselves. Very soon a one-day special training program will be organized by selecting these beneficiaries, after which each of the beneficiaries will be given 150nos betel nut plant for each farmer free of cost by the organizers. Total of 100 farmers will be supported in this initiative

  • Betal Nut Supari Plantation Project by Yuva Vikash Kendra

  • Skill development center Inauguration

Supporting various skill development and livelihood projects across India

On the 5thof February 2022, Mukul Madhav Foundation, in collaboration with the Hope Welfare Trust in Varanasi inaugurated a Skill Development Centre.

Around 80 women from the surrounding rural areas received tailoring skills and training here. They can go on to become entrepreneurs with better opportunities of employment.

Conducted a session on Entrepreneurship Awareness at Masar Village in Gujarat

(Backed by Finolex Industries)

With the support of the Hastkala Setu Yojna, Vadodara, Mukul Madhav Foundation conducted an Entrepreneurship Awareness Program at the Masar Village on 15th March, 2022 where 32 women participated.

As part of the Hastkala Setu Yojana, the artisans (mostly village women) are given the necessary training, knowledge and support to become entrepreneurs and elevate them to be able to connect with mainstream markets.

Post the awareness programme, the women of Masar village expressed their interest in the trade pertaining to native art, that they would like to pursue. Accordingly, the Hastkala Setu Team organised a further five days of specific training to strengthen the entire cottage and rural entrepreneurship ecosystem in alignment to market demands and emerging technologies.

  • Hastakala Masar Introduction session

  • Help Foudation Kashmir project

Collaborated with the HELP Foundation to support destitute and vulnerable women in Jammu and Kashmir

(Backed by Finolex Industries)

In an endeavour to provide livelihood opportunities to women who head families, women who farm, widows, and other vulnerable women, Mukul Madhav Foundation has partnered with HELP (Human Efforts for Love and Peace) Foundation headed by Mrs Nighat Shafi Pandit

Belonging to a well-known Kashmiri family, Mrs Pandit, who works with rural communities in the violence-scarred Jammu and Kashmir, is one of those rare women who stepped out of a comfortable home to address the pain and trauma of people caught up in a 16-year-long conflict.

Her organisation focuses on educating orphans, rehabilitating widows, and promoting peace and communal harmony among other things.

On 17th March 2022, we signed an MOU to support 20 women by donating a total of 5 sheep to each of them individually in the coming future. These women will rear the sheep for wool and also increase the flock, which in turn, will aid an increase in their income from the sale of wool.

Such support is projected to create employability options for the women and link them with markets so that they earn a sustainable income for their household.

Women’s Entrepreneurship and Development Programme

Family Planning Association of India, Pune

Family Planning Association of India (FPA India) is a social impact organisation delivering essential health services focusing on sexual and reproductive health in 18 states of India. Established in 1949, it works in close partnerships with central and state governments, NGOs and national and international funding agencies.

On 1st December 2019, MMF supported 14 HIV positive women registered in FPAI Pune by providing them with sewing machines to take up small jobs. KASHKA, an international garment house, has given them enhanced training. KASHKA gave them jobs to make clothes in their own homes for remuneration paid by KASHKA.

  • MMF supported HIV positive women registered in FPAI, Pune with sewing machine.

  • In collaboration with KSWA’s Yuva Parivartan, MMF set up 9 Period Positive Holiday Homes

Kherwadi Social Welfare Association - Yuva Parivartan, Mumbai

Kherwadi Social Welfare Association, commonly abbreviated as KSWA, is a non-profit organisation in India. KSWA aims to restore the upliftment of underprivileged youth in India. The organisation was established in 1928. Yuva Parivartan offers different vocational training programmes for disadvantaged youth. 

In collaboration with KSWA’s Yuva Parivartan, MMF set up 9 Period Positive Holiday Homes (safe resting places for menstruating women) in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra. While the women are there, they can use their time to carry out meaningful initiatives. Yuva Partivartan provided them with sewing machines to stitch reusable sanitary napkins. Alongside this, during the Covid pandemic, these ladies stitched 3-ply khadi face masks and donated 2,000 to the government health department. 

Looking at these homes, women from Darachi village and a local NGO have requested support for another Period Positive Holiday Home in their village. This construction is to begin soon, taking the total number of Period Positive Holiday Homes to 10.

Women Entrepreneurship Development in Osmanabad

MMF supported 312 widowed women farmers in Osmanabad. Through Mahabeej, one of the largest state government seed corporations, we donated tuvar and soya seeds in June 2019, 2020 and 2021. We ensured agriculture land entitlement was documented to beneficiaries. 

We imparted basic training in farming techniques, marketing and pricing through Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Osmanabad. 

MMF invited Science and Technology Park, Pune, to train rural women in soya milk production. Furthermore, in May 2019, we invited Maharashtra Khadi Gram Udyog to impart training in goat farming and honey collection techniques.

  • Training in farming techniques, marketing and pricing through Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Osmanabad

  • Certification of sewing skill development at Masar Gujarat in 2016.

Skill Development Centres in Gujarat

Sewing batches at Masar and Abhor villages of Gujarat commenced in September 2016, and a new centre commenced at Gavasad village in November 2018.

A total of 13 batches with 173 students have received training at these sewing skill development centres. At the computer skill centres, 7 batches with 89 students have been trained.

At present, around 60-70% of these trained women have bought their own sewing machines. This has helped them generate income by doing small tailoring jobs for their neighbours and family. Apart from this, they also got the opportunity to make masks for the local government and cloth bags for Finolex Industries.

We are currently working to register them as entrepreneurs with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Skill Development Center in Ratnagiri

The Finolex Skill Development Centre started in 2014 in the vicinity of the Finolex plant in Ratnagiri, covering villages such as Phansop, Bhatye, Golap and Kolambe. The aim was to start a sewing centre to encourage, enhance, and enrich women from rural areas to use their talents to earn a livelihood. Empowering them to have a better standard of living.

Since 2014, more than 260 women have been trained with 30 of them going on to start their small, domestic businesses, thus becoming self-reliant. 

We are working to register them as entrepreneurs with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Support to Self-help Group for Livelihood, Ratnagiri

MMF reached out to local self-help groups, encouraging them to come forward and earn with our help. Ashradevi ladies group from Pawas village and Yashashri’s self-help group, Maglad, Ratnagiri, responded. This group has 10 members who have been providing mid-day meals to the local school on demand. They came forward with a proposal to make brooms from coconut fronds.

We continue to provide them with trucks full of fallen coconut palm fronds from the Finolex factory gardens to make the brooms. A truckload of fronds makes about 40 brooms, each selling for Rs. 45 to Rs 50. The ladies earn about Rs. 20 profit per broom, creating wealth out of waste.

Vocational Skill Development Programmes

Aradhana Skills, Pune

Aradhana Skills provides skills development education and training for paramedical or allied health professions within the healthcare sector in India. In partnership with some of the leading healthcare providers in Pune, Aradhana Skills offer a one-and-a-half year, highly specialised Certificate in Radiology Technician, Certificate in Dialysis Technician and a four-month Certificate in General Duty Assistant paramedical course. These are certified by the government recognised Healthcare Sector Skills Council (HSSC).

In 2018, MMF collaborated with Aradhana Skills to fund the training of 20 students, of which 13 have completed and secured placements. Currently, 7 students are undergoing training.

  • The pass out batch and the fresh batch interaction at Aradhana Skills development center.

  • Visually impaired children and adults technical training equipment.

Technical Training Institute, Pune

Pune Blind Men’s Association’s Technical Training Institute was set up in 1960 to impart vocational training and rehabilitation services to visually impaired children and adults to be financially independent and be respected citizens of society. They are also India’s largest technical training institute for visually challenged persons. A laptop scheme is open for newly admitted students. 

In 2017, The Finolex Call Centre, run by visually impaired girls, was set up with HV Desai – Poona Blind Men’s Association. Over the years, these 8 young women have been outstanding in catering to Finolex’s customers’ needs. 

During the Covid 19 pandemic, these girls worked from home. 

Support to Women prisoners in Yerwada Jail, Pune

In 2018 and 2019, Finolex commissioned 20 women serving sentences at Pune Prison to make cloth bags.

Lok Sadhana Public Charitable Trust, Chikhalgaon, Dapoli, Ratnagiri

Lok Sadhana Public Charitable Trust is an NGO focusing on education that runs a day-boarding and residential school for over 450 children in and around Chikhalgaon village, Ratnagiri.

MMF supported 5 students in 2016-17 and 4 students in 2017-18 to earn a Diploma in Basic Rural Technology (DBRT). This course is designed for young people who want to start their enterprise. The minimum entry level is 8th grade.

It’s a one-year residential course conducted by Lok Sadhana Public Charitable Trust, Chikhalgaon, Dapoli, Ratnagiri. To date, 9 students from rural areas near Ratnagiri have been supported by Finolex and MMF and have completed their training.

This course is ideal for youth between 15 and 20 years of age and is based on the philosophy of “learning while doing”. Therefore, the students do not need to worry about studying for exams, memorising the subjects, or writing notes.

All the emphasis is given to working in real-life situations. The students get practical experience in agriculture, engineering, energy, the environment, food processing, etc.

Support to 30 ITI Girls for Government-certified Plumbing Course, Pune

A plumbing programme was started at the ITI Girls College in February 2020. Finolex enhanced this course with a relevant training programme and has supported its online sessions since May 2020.

In addition to this, Finolex introduced the Indian Plumbing Association, Pune chapter, to provide further expertise.

These girls were provided with theoretical and practical sessions along with site visits. Finolex was instrumental in ensuring the lockdown did not hamper the students’ learning curve and insisted that ITI college conduct virtual classes from mid-May onwards. The FIL team gladly volunteered to train the girls in the latest plumbing techniques and assisted in completing their curriculum in time.

The first batch graduated on the 26th of November, 2020.

  • Graduation ceremony for the ITI plumbing girls.

  • MMF provided 7 sewing machines to the Aundh Military Station in

Donated Sewing Machines to the Skill Centre at Aundh Military Station, Pune

Aundh Military Station, a residential facility for armed forces personnel, is situated in Pune. 

We provided 7 sewing machines to the Aundh Military Station in March 2021. In addition, training and guidance are being provided 3 times a week. A tie-up has also been done with KASHKA, an international garment house, to enhance the training with their expertise.

Prince’s Trust International

The Prince’s Trust (https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/) is a charity in the United Kingdom founded in 1976 by Charles, Prince of Wales, to help vulnerable young people get their lives on track. It supports 11 to 30-year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and risk of exclusion. 

Prince’s Trust International (PTI), MMF UK and MMF India signed an agreement to support the skilling of young women in the villages of Masar and Gavasad in Gujarat, around the Finolex premises, and providing them with employability and entrepreneurship opportunities with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). PTI will support MMF to review and enhance the existing programme with their expertise in:

  • Skill needs and opportunities for women in villages in Gujarat
  • Content and delivery
  • Monitoring and evaluation
  • Safeguarding procedures
  • Uplifting and encouraging women 
  • Other potential areas

Honey Bee project – Bhimashankar Pune

Bhimashankar, Pune

Mukul Madhav Foundation, with Maharashtra Khadi Gramodyog Mahamandal, is supporting 17 tribal women, aged between 25 and 45, in Bhimashankar, Pune, with honey bee boxes.

Maharashtra Khadi Gramodyog Mahamandal provides kits at a 50% subsidy, along with training and a buyback scheme.

These tribal women will start their small honey production businesses, making them independent and self-reliant to generate employment opportunities in their villages.

  • The honey bee box provided by MMF.

  • Palghar honey bee boxes provided to women’s.

Palghar, Maharashtra

Mukul Madhav Foundation, with Maharashtra Khadi Gramodyog Mahamandal, Rotary SOBO, FICCI FLO Pune Chapter and FICCI FLO Mumbai Chapter, is supporting 47 tribal women farmers, aged between 25 and 45, with honey bee kits.

Maharashtra Khadi Gramodyog Mahamandal provides kits at a 50% subsidy, along with training and a buyback scheme.

These tribal women will start their small honey production businesses, making them independent and self-reliant to generate employment opportunities in their villages.

Livelihood Support to Migrants in Palghar, Maharashtra

In 2020, during the Covid 19 pandemic, MMF supported 150 migrants and their families’ with training in the rice intensification system (SRI) in the tribal areas of the Palghar district. This programme equipped them with a startup kit of paddy seed, urea briquettes and vegetable saplings, along with training in farming. On-ground partners, Yuva Parivartan, constantly monitored their activities and the status of the project on behalf of MMF, and further enhanced support in pricing, marketing and reaching out to new markets in city centres. 

These migrants are now creating livelihoods, no longer needing to return to urban areas for jobs to fulfil their families’ needs.

Bhatakya Vimukta Jati Shikshan Sanstha (BVJSS) in Pune

MMF successfully raised Rs 29.25 lacs for the Bhatkya Vimukta Jati Shikshan Sanstha (BVJSS) Ashram Shala in Wagholi, Pune, which is an orphanage housing 400 children. BVJSS is serving orphans, single-parent, poor, needy and divyang children as well as blind and deaf children since 1987. 

Fundraising was done with the help of Mr Sanjay Hinduja from Gulf Oil, Mr Utkarsh Munot, ZF Steering Gear India Ltd, Mr Sanjiv Aurora from Indo Global Infrastructure & Utility Services Pvt Ltd, and Finolex Industries Ltd. 

In 2016, we helped rebuild BVJSS’s 4 kitchens, dining area, waterproofed the entire building, purchased new cupboards, repaired existing doors and windows and placed new ones where needed, and donated 60 bunk beds, 120 mattresses and pillows, 8 cupboards, 400 uniforms, 400 bedsheets with pillow covers, and 400 Sholapuri chaddars for the children. We also painted the Sai Baba statue outside this ashram. It was indeed a heartwarming experience to see the children enjoying the better, safer conditions.

Further, Mr and Mrs Manish Jaitha of Jivraj Baloo Trust donated Rs. 5 Lacs to begin a vocational project of goat farming in the second home of BVJSS in Pabal, Maharashtra (35 km further from Wagholi) where 50 children, who are mentally or physically challenged, reside. This project not only helps the children develop vocational skills but also solves the problem of providing milk to all the children at the Wagholi house.

  • The 400 students from BVJSS’s.

Santosh Shelar

CSR Head


Santosh Shelar is one of the senior-most members of the Finolex parivaar. His career began with Finolex Industries and completed 16 years. Looking at CSR he opted to work with MMF and the social welfare as CSR head and has been supporting with zeal and enthusiasm.

With a BSc in agriculture, he has put himself at the centre of our work in western Maharashtra, with a deep connection to Satara and Solapur districts. Liasing with government officials and departments, besides the various rural development initiatives including water management, he plays a key role in keeping Mission Cerebral Palsy impactful.

Acting as an empathetic bridge between the various rehabilitation centres and the MMF core team, coordinating various camps, programmes and follow-through with beneficiaries. His humility and soft spokenness have stood in him in good stead in government liaisons.

Mitesh Shrigiri

Deputy Executive Assistant


Mr. Mitesh Shrigiri is a young team member at Mukul Madhav Foundation. With a BBA in Finance and currently pursuing an MBA, he is a data whiz. He maintains and updates our database with applications received, internal verifications of those applications, applications approved, aid and resources disbursed, number of beneficiaries impacted and their progress. Collecting, verifying, compiling all information in one place, and then sharing this in appropriate formats with internal teams, stakeholders, donors, and media as impact audit reports, social media posts, newsletters, and general updates on our website. And he does all this with enthusiasm and a deep commitment. Looking to make a difference to his team, to his own personal learnings, and to the world at large.

Shalom Paul

Executive Assistant


Working with MMF since 2017, Shalom Paul brings 16 years of experience in the field of Business Administration and communications, with a PGDBA specialized in Marketing, alongside a specialization in administration. She manages multiple schedules, while maintaining communication between management, Trustees, executives, managers and external partners. Her focus, consistency, punctuality and reliability help her do this with calm and élan. Besides this, she also brings her love for writing to the fore at work. Writing utilization reports, managing internal newsletters, copy writing and front end website management. 

Sachin Kulkarni

Volunteer


Mr. Sachin Kulkarni, is a senior team member at Mukul Madhav Foundation, who has truly dedicated himself to service. Over the years he has involved himself in each and every functioning of the organization, at every level - backend, on-ground, government liaison. At MMF he refuses to be boxed-in by a designation, and prefers to be known just as a volunteer. Wherever he is needed, he makes himself available.

Jitendra Jadhav

Public Relation Officer - PRO


The person who puts it all together. Right from planning, budgeting, liasioning and operational coordination, Jitendra is instrumental in putting our school health camps and other community development programs into action on-ground. A BSc DMLT, with an over all experience of 18 years in the field of Healthcare, Social Welfare, Education and a rich experience in Public Relations, Jitendra has been with the foundation since 2011. His meticulous organizational skills are only matched by his passion to serve.

Yasmin Shaikh

Executive - CSR


An integral part of the team that are the ears, eyes, hands and heart of Mukul Madhav Foundation on the ground, Yasmin has an overall experience of 11 years in the field of Healthcare, with a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Solapur University, and a diploma in Psycho Social Rehabilitation from B. J. Medical College Pune.

Working with MMF since February 2017, Yasmin has proven her mettle in implementing programs in Healthcare, Women Empowerment and Skill Development. She also plays a vital role in data management and statistics, while ably supporting the management in strategic decision making.

Babalu Mokale

Executive - CSR


Developing communities around water conservation, environment, rural empowerment and supporting the differently-abled is Babalu's forte. With a Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Pune University and REBT (Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy) course, he has spent over 15 years in the Community Development sector, with the last five years at Mukul Madhav Foundation. Wielding his skills, compassion and energies in project management, liasioning with different agencies and stakeholders, while playing an integral role in budgeting, executing and constantly monitoring and evaluating projects.

Yogesh Rokade

CSR Assistant


With over 11 years’ experience in Admin and Store management, Yogesh Rokade is a Graduate in Bachelor in Business Administration and MCVC (Electric) from MMCC college. Joining MMF in November 2020 as a CSR Assistant, he has shown his mettle in managing logistics for all events, inventory management, visiting various projects, verifications of health and education appeals, and supporting the core team and management in every way possible.

Radhika Tungatker

Accounts Assistant - Pune


Joining MMF in July 2019, Radhika Tungatkar wields over 13 years of experience in accounting as an Accounts Assistant here. A Bachelor of commerce, she completed  her specialization in accounts, from Pune University.

Kiran Chaugale

Senior Executive, Mukul Madhav Foundation


Starting off in the administrative department of MMF in 2018, Kiran was soon given the larger mandate to overlook the Education spectrum. Being the point of contact between the Foundation and the various schools supported by MMF – MMV school and the schools in Masar and Panchgani. Working closely with the management to support and leverage key decisions, while ensuring that all activities related to the schools in academics and administration follow the SOPs. In addition to this, he also supports the MMF CSR team with content management. 

Nitul Barot

Senior Officer CSR - Masar Gujarat


With over nine years of experience in CSR, Nitul Barot joined Finolex Industries in 2017 to supervise the CSR projects undertaken in and around Masar. Besides managing and monitoring all projects in Masar, especially Education and Skill Development, he prepares the budgets, along with monthly and yearly reports.

Abhishek Salvi

CSR Assistant – Ratnagiri


Joining the MMF team in 2011, Abhishek Salvi has been coordinating and supporting Finolex Industries with its CSR activities in Ratnagiri. Managing activities, follow ups and reporting. Preparing reports and budgets for events in Ratnagiri. Working closely to monitor CP center at Finolex Colony and coordinating with Physiotherapist and speech therapist to ensure therapies are scheduled in a timely manner. He also partners the admin team in supporting Mukul Madhav Vidyalaya. 

Vivekananda Sustainability Awards 2022

We, at Mukul Madhav Foundation, are honoured to have received the Vivekananda Sustainability Awards 2022 for our initiatives to provide clean drinking water and sanitation facilities in the rural communities of India. The award was received at the august hands of Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Acharya Dr Lokesh Muni and the Former Chief Justice of India, Mr KG Balakrishnan. 

We are grateful to Vinay Saini, AGM, North, Finolex Industries, and Arun Ojha, General Manager, Delhi, Finolex Industries, for having received this award on our behalf at the award function in Delhi in April 2022. We appreciate your support.

Golden Peacock Awards 2022

Mrs Ritu Prakash Chhabria, Founder & Managing Trustee, Mukul Madhav Foundation, is honoured to have received the esteemed Golden Peacock Award for her Outstanding Leadership in Social Empowerment & Building Resilient Communities in November 2022. She is grateful for this recognition and received the award at the hands of Lord Johnson of Lainston CBE, Department for International Trade UK, and The Baroness Verma, Global Chair, Advisory Council, Institute of Directors (IOD). This award is globally recognized as a benchmark of corporate excellence amongst impact-driven leaders working in the space of social responsibility. We are humbled for this recognition and pledge to continue driving change through our work, every day.

The Ninth National CSR Times Award 2022

We are honoured to have received the National CSR Times Award for the noteworthy social welfare impact of our work in the education and healthcare sectors at The Ninth Annual CSR Times Summit & Awards in December 2022. We are grateful to Finolex Industries for having us as their Corporate Social Responsibility partners and offering their steadfast support over the years.

FIN Humanitarian Philathropy Award - London

We are proud to announce that our Co-Founder & Managing Trustee, Ritu Prakash Chhabria has been awarded the Foreign Investment Network (FIN) Human Philanthropy Award, which pays tribute to international philanthropists from all walks of life.

We are grateful to Nic Careem, Founder, Blue Sky Network, and Lord John Bird, Founder, The Big Issue newspaper, for presenting us with this honour in July 2023. We are proud to be associated with The Blue Sky Network — a network of like-minded changemakers, who endeavour to harness their skills to make a meaningful difference in the world. Over the past few years, Blue Sky has initiated many noteworthy campaigns, including a tribute to Nelson Mandela, which has been signed by many key leaders from across the globe. We appreciate this recognition and will continue uplifting lives through our social welfare initiatives.

Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria honoured at the NRI World Summit 2022 held in the UK; accepts the esteemed Shiromani Award in recognition of her philanthropic initiatives

Managing Trustee of Mukul Madhav Foundation and Director of Finolex Industries Limited, Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria, received the prestigious Shiromani Award from Mr. Manu Jagmohan Singhji, International Chairman of NRI Institute, at the NRI World Summit 2022 held in the United Kingdom on 23rd June 2022. 

Mrs. Chhabria has been conferred the Shiromani Award in the presence of eminent members of the British Parliament, other distinguished dignitaries and award winners in recognition of her philanthropic service to the Indian community across the world. Other attendees included Mr. G P Hinduja, Co-chairman of Hinduja Group and Chief Guest of the function, Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Mrs. Amruta Fadnavis, Mrs. Michelle Poonawalla, Lord Swraj Paul, Member of House of Lords of the United Kingdom, fashion designers- Shane and Falguni Peacock, and members of her family. 

On 24th June 2022, Mrs. Chhabria was the keynote speaker at the NRI World Summit, where she shared her views on the confluence of culture, people and ideas between India and the UK. The two-day event celebrated many achievements, showcased charitable initiatives and innovation, facilitated business networking, and served as a platform to showcase the impact we make through MMF.

Instituted in 1977, previous recipients of the Shiromani Award include Mother Teresa, Chief Marshal Manekshaw, Justice Hidayatullah, Justice Nagendra Singh, Mr. Ramkrishna Bajaj, Mr. H P Nanda, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Raj Kapoor, Sunil Dutt, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, P T Usha, Leander Paes, Vishwanathan Anand, Nani Palkhivala, Ram Jethmalani, The Dalai Lama.  A proud moment indeed for all of us at MMF, and we wish Mrs. Chhabria more success in the years to come in these initiatives. 

FIL/MMF awarded in the “Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Awards” at Taj Lands’ End, Mumbai.

The Jury council of “Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Awards” Congratulate “Mukul Madhav Foundation” for winning the “Best CSR Project in Sanitation” category Award at such platform. The award was collected by our Trustee Mr. Vijay Gurnani  along with MMF team members Mr Babalu Mokale and Mitesh Shrigiri.

Exceptional Women of Excellence Award

G100 is an empowered group of 100 women leaders from across the world, in 100 diverse sectors, supported by 100 eminent He or She champions, for powerful advocacy, awareness & impact across governments and global organizations for a gender equal future. G100 is an action + think tank with a global, cross-cultural, intersectional and intentional perspective toward peace, parity and prosperity for all.

G100 is supported by The Denim Club: Group of 100 He-for-She Champions globally, comprising leaders and luminaries from the business, corporate and political domains, each leading a sector of influence and having their companies and institutions in support of gender parity and equality. 

Mukul Madhav Foundation team is delighted and happy to share this news with our friends and well-wishers.

SUCCESS STORIES

For Kashmir, the pandemic has been a lot harder. After struggling with more than 18 months of shut down and limited access to internet connectivity, Kashmiris have been pushed to the verge of helplessness and misery
To help communities that have been scarred by the perpetual violence prevailing in the state, Mukul Madhav Foundation collaborated with Mrs. Nighat Shafi Pandit founder HELP Foundation to enable the severely affected get the aid they rightfully deserved.

Thank you for helping them earn not just a better livelihood, but their dignity and independence. Thank you for being kind enough to #GiveWithDignityTM
Through our Pan India Mission, #Give With Dignity we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

This Diwali, many are struggling to keep their hopes high due to the impact of the lockdown imposed in the past few months. Hard-hit by such dark times is Umed Pariwar in Pune, a rehabilitation cum residential facility for Intellectually Developmentally Disabled [IDD] people that provides them with life-long care once they're admitted.
Mukul Madhav Foundation, as a part of #GiveWithDignityTM, their Pan India Diwali initiative, feels immense pleasure to support Umed Pariwar by procuring a gift hamper handcrafted by the differently abled people (Divyang) of "Umed Pariwar".

Your support has enabled us to support them in their mission of caring for those who struggle to lead a dignified life.
Through our Pan India Mission #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

Diwali is all about celebrating the victory of light over darkness. However, darkness has engulfed the lives of so many people in the past few months due to the lockdown and the pandemic.
To ensure that this Diwali brings a hopeful ray of light in many homes, Mukul Madhav Foundation is providing 21-day ration kits to 1000 underprivileged families of Bundelkhand region through its Diwali initiative #GiveWithDignityTM. We are also procuring diyas from a local potter Mr. Kripanath in Prayagraj to help him sustain his business in these trying times

Through our Pan India Mission #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

The hard earned financial empowerment of many women artisans risked a grim demise when the lockdown hit our country. Years of hard work, heritage and native tradition was on the verge of being lost, just like the hopes of these artisans
Mukul Madhav Foundation, under its Diwali campaign #GiveWithDignityTM, joined hands with Ad-8, a craft group working with women from Rajasthan's borders to manufacture hand-made products, to procure 3000 eco-friendly masks that promote the indigenous innovation and designs across India.

Through our Pan India Mission #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

The pandemic had locked down not only the nation but also the hygiene and wellness of millions of rural girls struggling to lead a dignified life. Years of efforts by Sobati, a sanitary napkin manufacturing unit empowering women with access to menstrual hygiene, were about to go in vain due to the joblessness and livelihood destruction caused by the lockdown.
Under the Diwali campaign #GiveWithDignityTM, Mukul Madhav Foundation is reinstating hope and faith in all the rural women associated with Sobati by procuring sanitary napkins from them for distribution across the country, eradicating the stigma around menstruation and making menstrual hygiene available to each and every girl.

Through our Pan India Mission #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

Thousands across the country lost their livelihoods due to the pandemic and the countrywide lockdown that was imposed. One of the hardest hit were the farmers as the lockdown left them in a state of complete helplessness due to inaccessibility to market and transportation facilities leaving them on the verge of starvation and loss of income.
To help people those who need it the most in these trying times, Kamdar Organic Producers, an organisation run by farmers from Madhya Pradesh supported Mukul Madhav Foundation in their Diwali initiative #GiveWithDignityTM by providing daily ration items like rice, atta, etc. which were then distributed across the country. Through this, we could empower the farmers, revive their dying hope and make their Diwali full of joy and abundance.

Through our Pan India Mission, #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

Innumerable jobs lost, livelihoods destroyed, dreams crushed and aspirations crumbled, the effects of the pandemic on millions of people and small businesses have been devastating.
To ensure that no more hopes are lost for the struggling local businesses, we are procuring papad from Vishwa Sindhi Sewa Sangam Mahila Udhyog, a small manufacturer in Mumbai, and distributing it across the country.

It was your contribution towards #GiveWithDignityTM, an initiative by Mukul Madhav Foundation, that dispelled the darkness of hopelessness and despair for them this Diwali
Through our Pan India Mission, #GiveWith Dignity, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

Suffering of thousands has been aggravated by the lockdown. However, it is the women and girls who are particularly struggling to survive, with widening gap in access to basic menstrual hygiene and sanitation.
With your support, Mukul Madhav Foundation has support Association for Social Health India, ASHI, a shelter home for destitute women and orphan girls from Jammu and Kashmir, by procuring sanitary napkins from them, and distributing it across the country to those in need. Together with them, we could double our kindness and impact, uplifting all those affected by the pandemic.

Through our Pan India Mission #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

The ongoing pandemic has left many people in a state of complete despair and hopelessness. Thousands of families across the country are struggling to run their businesses and feed their families. In such times of crisis, we supported the livelihoods of Kedarnath Women Center by procuring a variety of grocery essentials such as Haldi, Tea etc. from them thus helping them revive their business.
Mukul Madhav Foundation, together with your support aims to spread hope and happiness this festive season. We are on a mission that no one sleeps on an empty stomach and no business has to shut down this Diwali.

Through our Pan India Mission #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

Skill development, economic growth and entrepreneurship - the keys to a brighter future for many had been devastatingly marred by the lockdown. With the dreams and aspirations of many on hold, the Centre for Youth Development and Activities were at the risk of losing all the progress they had achieved in uplifting underprivileged youngsters, women and girls.
It was when Mukul Madhav Foundation, under its mission #GiveWithDignityTM, gave an order for thousands of masks to CYDA that the darkness finally gave way to rays of hope and happiness.

Through our Pan India Mission #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

The last few months' lockdown has viciously shrouded small businesses and marginalized communities in a blanket of darkness. This Diwali, we are uplifting millions of such people open their eyes to a world of joy and light. To double the kindness, we have collaborated with The Wishing factory by Parth Thakur, that is working towards reaching out to those in need through their Diya Campaign.
Through #GiveWithDignityTM, Mukul Madhav Foundation's Pan India Diwali initiative, we are procuring diyas from The Wishing Factory to support them in their endeavour of gifting a joyous Diwali to those who have been at the forefront in these trying times.Through our Pan India Mission, #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

Prakash Pralhad Chhabria

Co-founder & President - Mukul Madhav Foundation & Executive Chairman of Finolex Industries Ltd.


Prakash Pralhad Chhabria is the Executive Chairman of Finolex Industries Limited and is a recognized industrialist with over three decades of hands-on experience. He was inducted as a Board Director in 1992 and took over as the Executive Chairman in 2012

Credited with transforming Finolex Industries into a reputed national brand, he has steered the Company onto this growth path by strategically restructuring business and finance. Under his leadership, the Company has achieved a turnover of INR 3,463 crores in FY 21.

Prakash Pralhad Chhabria has a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from the University of Evansville, Indiana. An Advanced Management Programme from Wharton Business School and an Executive Program from Stanford University further bolster his expertise.

He was recently awarded honorary Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) degree by Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune, for his notable contribution to society.

With a core philosophy of attaining business prosperity in a sustainable manner, Finolex Industries gives back to the community through Mukul Madhav Foundation and its extensive CSR activities, giving hope to people who often feel they don’t have the right to be hopeful.

Prakash Pralhad Chhabria is an avid reader and enjoys delving into topics ranging from philosophy to history and spiritualism to culture. He is also a keen photographer and captures exciting vignettes.

Gayatri Prakash Chhabria

Trustee - Mukul Madhav Foundation


Gayatri Prakash Chhabria is the General Manager Strategy & Marketing at Finolex Industries and a Trustee at the Mukul Madhav Foundation.

With a major in Business from Warwick Business School, she has plunged headlong into the everyday workings of Finolex Industries, not just as a third-generation entrepreneur, but as a custodian of parivaar values that encompass and embrace every employee, dealer, supplier, vendor and associate. Bringing in a mix of strategic inputs and people initiatives, she works hard at being brutally fair. Seeking to constantly learn, explore and grow, as an individual, and also as an organization. Driven to build corporate associations, strengthen human resources, digitalize the legacy business and unite this large extended family of internal and external stakeholders with a common company culture. She is focused on doing all of this through the marketing and communication initiatives she spearheads. Inspired by the legacy of her grandfather, Shri. Pralhad Chhabria, who laid the foundation for a responsible, sustainable business that values trust and relationships as the core drivers to success.

As a Trustee at the Mukul Madhav Foundation, she positively engages with the focus areas of Finolex Industries to channel resources into education, healthcare, sustainability, and social welfare initiatives.

Hansika Prakash Chhabria

Trustee - Mukul Madhav Foundation


Hansika Prakash Chhabria has taken the core philosophy of the Chhabria family, and expanded it into the creative realm. With her fashion start-up, One Less, that builds on the values her grandfather, Shri Pralhad Chhabria, expounded – building a responsible, sustainable business that values trust and relationships as the core drivers to success. 

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts (Digital Culture) from King’s College London, she is stepping out into uncharted territory to carve out a space for herself as an entrepreneur and changemaker. Putting into action her thoughts on human and animal rights, gender equality, sustainability and the ever-growing need for sustainable fashion. Bringing it all together as her start-up that encourages organic, sustainable and ethically sourced clothing that both supports Indian industry and preserves the environment through a uniquely minimalistic style and eco-friendly approach to casual wear. She is also putting her deeply-entrenched values into practice as Trustee at the Mukul Madhav Foundation.

Ritu Prakash Chhabria

Co-founder & Managing Trustee - Mukul Madhav Foundation


Ritu Prakash Chhabria is the Founder member and Managing Trustee of the Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF). Working ceaselessly with MMF over the past 23 years to transform the way charity is done in India, she has constantly worked to support the under-served with dignity and not dole outs. Personally involved in impacting numerous lives and livelihoods through initiatives in education, healthcare, self-employment, women empowerment, sanitation, water conservation and every other genuine need that remains unfulfilled, and comes to her attention. Supporting and furthering the under-served across geographies, ages, gender, occupations, and religions. Her every action is powered by a deep spirituality, and her active practice of meditation and gratitude. 

With a Masters in International Relations, she majored in Economics from Richmond College, London, with a minor in Marketing. This has held her in good stead when liaising with local government bodies, benevolent corporates and international collaborators. Finding global support for MMF, with the establishment of MMF UK in 2018, and collaborations with Princess Trust, BAPIO, Caudwell, and Action Aid. 

With the association of MMF with Finolex Industries Limited (FIL) in 2014 as their official CSR partner, today Mrs. Chhabria sits on the Board of Directors at FIL as the Chairperson for CSR activities. She has recently been appointed as a nominee of Hinduja Foundation on the Board of Management of the P D Hinduja Sindhi Hospital, Bangalore, and as a Governing Body Member of FICCI FLO National (2021-2022). Besides these, she also brings her heartful expertise to work on the following committees and organisations.

  • Patron of the Kochi Biennale
  • Independent Ethics Committee of Symbiosis University
  • Steering Committee of the Hinduja Foundation
  • Member of Governing and Executive Council of National Health and Education Society (NHES), of the Hinduja Hospital
  • Trustee at Karachi Education Society and the Indian Red Cross Society, Pune. 
  • Committee member of the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India- Empress Botanical Garden
  • Trustee on the Make A Wish Foundation’s Board in India (2014-2019) 
  • Honorary member with the Inner Wheel Club, Pune, (2020-2021)
  • Managing Committee member in IMC (2020-2021)
  • Honorary Member, Rotary Club of Parvati
  • General Body Member, Society of Friends of Sassoon Hospitals (SOFOSH) and Honorary Member, Rotary Club of SOBO (South Mumbai) 
  • Chairperson, FICCI Flo, Pune 2019-2020

Vijay G. Gurnani

Trustee - Mukul Madhav Foundation


Vijay Gurnani is a reputed businessman and philanthropist with business interests in various sectors, mainly shipping and export. A first generation entrepreneur, he started his working life on the shop floor of an automotive manufacturer, quickly moving on to greater and more ambitious things. He has built his companies with determination and passion. This same passion he carries into his work with the under-served, making a difference to the orphaned, the old and abandoned, and the impoverished. As Trustee at the Mukul Madhav Foundation, he inspires and supports the team with his strong values and innate goodness. 

Corona recognition - Gujarat

Shri. Acharya Devvrat-Hon. Governor of Gujarat

Shri Amit Shah - Union Home - Co-Operation Minister, Shri. Acharya Devvrat-Hon. Governor of Gujarat and Shri. Vijaybha

CSR Times award for Healthcare

CSR Times award for Education

Bapio Awards for Phenomenal work done in India during Covid

Prakash Pralhad Chhabria

Co-founder & President - Mukul Madhav Foundation & Executive Chairman of Finolex Industries Ltd.


Prakash Pralhad Chhabria is the Executive Chairman of Finolex Industries Limited (FIL) since 2012. With over three decades of hands-on experience, he was inducted as a Board Director in 1992, before he took over as Executive Chairman.

Over recent years, he has earned himself the reputation of being a sound and visionary industrialist. Skillfully steering FIL and its reputation by strategically restructuring business and finance. Putting it on a growth trajectory that has seen it establish its dominance as a reputed national brand, with a turnover of INR 3,463 crores in FY 21.

His innate strengths and real-world experience have been further honed by a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from the University of Evansville, Indiana; an Advanced Management Programme from Wharton Business School; and an Executive Program from Stanford University.

At FIL, his focus has been on attaining business prosperity in a sustainable manner. Forward integrating and backward integrating, not just to impact the business and its stakeholders, but the community and the environment that extend beyond. Taking on responsibility for society at large, not just as a government mandate of Corporate Social Responsibility, but with the foresight and bigger picture perspective that everything and everybody is connected. This personal belief has brought FIL and MMF together. Giving back to the community, and completing the circle. Amongst other awards and recognitions, he was recently awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) degree by Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune, for his notable contribution to society.

This larger order view of the world could be attributed to Mr. Chhabria's upbringing, his love for reading, and his interest in philosophy, history, spiritualism and culture. A keen photographer, the world always looks interesting through his lens.

Late Shri Pralhad Chhabria

Founder Trustee - Mukul Madhav Foundation & Founder of Finolex Group.


The late Shri Pralhad P. Chhabria is the founder of the Finolex Group of companies, and the kind hand that shaped its policies and values right from its early years. The hand that was always open, giving as much as it received. Supporting and furthering the Mukul Madhav Foundation through its fledgling years.

The hand that continues to be placed over us in blessing. Continuing to inspire and guide us through the legacy of values he has left behind. Humility and an ability to focus on the basics. With an emphasis on quality, constant learning, and pushing for excellence. And most of all, to achieve great heights not as individuals, but by bringing people together.

SUCCESS STORIES

Much like many small businesses, this mother and her sons were also forced to shut down their provision store. Even though severely affected by the pandemic and suffering major losses, the family did not lose hope.

Seeing many families like them struggling to barely make ends meet, this family decided to start SNR, a small scale unit to manufacture multi-purpose masala right in the middle of the pandemic. This mother and sons duo is an inspiration for us all to overcome these dark times and build the best for us with what we have.

With your support, Mukul Madhav Foundation through its Diwali campaign, is proud to support SNR by raising Rs 5,79,500 for the SHG.

Thank you for being kind enough to
#GiveWithDignityTM

Through our Pan India Mission, #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70k families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these SHG's bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

Ariharan Guruswamy, a resident of Madurai city, Tamil Nadu and an engineer by profession, soon realized that his heart was in making a difference and that's when he set up a Self Help Group called Sigura Oil.

The SHG worked closely on establishing better supply chains and marketing linkages among farmers involved in sesame oil production. The forward moving enterprise suddenly caught itself in a bottleneck when the lockdown was announced. The painstaking efforts taken to set up their businesses were close to falling apart.

However, your contribution ensured that the first rays of sun hit Akshay and his SHG's many small scale farmers.

Through our Pan India Mission, #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 small businesses to bounce back.

SUCCESS STORIES

Diwali has always been very special for the differently abled students at ADAPT, Mumbai.
More so because this is that time of the year when they get to show the world what they are capable of.

Their beautiful creations have over the years lit up many homes. However this year, due to the pandemic, they feared a decline in sales which also meant lack of income for their families

This Diwali, your support came as the glimmering ray of hope for them. It enables us to include diyas made by them in the grocery kits being distributed to families in need. Because of you this year too, Diyas made by them will light up thousands of homes

Thank you for supporting these differently abled artists enjoy a Diwali full of hope and happiness
Thank you for helping them earn not just a better livelihood, but their dignity and independence.
Thank you for being kind enough to
#GiveWithDignityTM

Through our Pan India Mission, #GiveWithDignityTM we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 35 of these SHG's bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

The 40 tribal women from Shakti have been an inspiration for the entire district of Kandhamaal District, Orissa for fighting oppression and achieving financial independence.

Together, these women have been the force behind establishing their own business and empowering many farmers in the area. They directly procure grains from the local farmers and take care of packaging and marketing of Haldi, moong dal raagi

With the lockdown, travel restrictions and lack for proper resources, years of their efforts and hard work were at stake. Thank you for being their hope.

Through our Pan India Mission, #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

At a young age of only 20, Payal's life turned upside down as her biggest support system, her father lost the battle against cancer. At an age when we all aim to dream big with the help and support of our families, Payal was left alone to figure out her way in the world. Today, at 26, Payal has risen above her loss and struggles and become a changemaker in the truest sense. She has provided employment to the women of her village by setting up a low cost Sanitary Pad making unit. This has made the women of Rangiatikra financially independent.

With the lockdown, travel restrictions and lack for proper resources, years of her efforts and hardwork was at stake. But, because of people like you, she got an opportunity to not only keep her business afloat but also ensure that sanitary napkins reached women in need through the Mukul Madhav Foundation's Diwali campaign.

Through our Pan India Mission, #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back.

SUCCESS STORIES

The past few months have completely crushed the lives of millions across the country.

The countrywide lockdown rendered people struggling to get access to the bare necessities whereas the small and local business owners faced their own struggles.

We aim to bridge this gap of necessities of people and struggles of local businesses, by procuring salt from Kasthuri salt, a small manufacturer of rock salt, in the southern part of India and distributing it across the country.

Closer to Diwali, you came as the only ray of hope in their lives by contributing towards  #GiveWithDignityTM, an initiative by Mukul Madhav Foundation

Through our Pan India Mission, #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back.

SUCCESS STORIES

What happens when 25 women and children from Gujarat come together to help each other lead a better life? They overcome all challenges together, stand strong in the face of despair and become an inspiration for all of us.

The members of Sharda Social Welfare Trust for specially abled women and children always had a unique determination to pursue their dreams with faith and resilience. Their conviction to lead empowered lives only got stronger with each passing day.

That is why, for Mukul Madhav Foundation's Diwali campaign, there were no second guesses about who to source the 17,800 diyas and 9000 masks from for mass distribution.

Through our Pan India Mission, #GiveWithDignityTM, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 small businesses to bounce back

SUCCESS STORIES

In a country where 36 percent women struggle with lack of access to basic menstrual hygiene, the pandemic only widened this gap.

Bestie, a sanitary napkin manufacturer, based at Theni, Tamil Nadu, became the ray of glimmering hope in the lives of many when Mukul Madhav Foundation, through its Diwali campaign, procured this hygiene essential from them.

With your support and aid, we aim to uplift and empower all those who struggled in the past few months and are still trying to battle its impacts.

Through our pan-India mission, #GiveWithDignityTM we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 120 of these bounce back.

SUCCESS STORIES

At a young age of only 20, Payal's life turned upside down as her biggest support system, her father lost the battle against cancer. At an age when we all aim to dream big with the help and support of our families, Payal was left alone to figure out her way in the world. Today, at 26, Payal has risen above her loss and struggles and become a changemaker in the truest sense. She has provided employment to the women of her village by setting up a low cost Sanitary Pad making unit. This has made the women of Rangiatikra financially independent.

With the lockdown, travel restrictions and lack for proper resources, years of her efforts and hardwork was at stake. But, because of people like you, she got an opportunity to not only keep her business afloat but also ensure that sanitary napkins reached women in need through the Mukul Madhav Foundation's Diwali campaign.

Through our Pan India Mission, #GiveWithDignity, we are supporting 70,000 families across 24 states with grocery & hygiene essentials that are being procured locally from small businesses thus helping 35 of these SHG's bounce back.

Ruby Hall Cancer Centre

Ruby Hall Cancer Centre

Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria, Managing Trustee of Mukul Madhav Foundation was presented with this award by the Family Care Projects Pune in 2006. This award is a token of their gratitude for all her help and support.

Family Care Projects Pune

Family Care Projects Pune

Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria, Managing Trustee of Mukul Madhav Foundation was presented with this award by the Family Care Projects Pune in 2006. This award is a token of their gratitude for all her help and support.

Rotary Club Poona North

Managing Trustee of Mukul Madhav Foundation, Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria was awarded by the Rotary Club Poona North on the 21st of February 2009 for her efforts and initiatives in mitigating child mortality.

Sanman Patra Muktai Award

Sanman Patra Muktai Award

On the 1st of June, 2013 our representative Mrs. Meena D'sa received the Muktai Award on behalf of the Managing Trustee of Mukul Madhav Foundation Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria for outstanding work in the field of Healthcare and Education. The award is named after Sant Muktai who was the younger sister of Sant Dnyaneshwara and has been presented for the last 21 years to women for their selfless contribution towards socially and economically challenged people. This year's award was presented in Pune by the esteemed hands of the Ex-President of India, Shrimati Pratibhatai Patil, in the presence of the Speaker of the Assembly of Maharashtra, Shri Dilip Valse Patil and Shri Sopankaka Valhekar Maharaj of Aatmonnati and Vishwashanti Sadhak Sanstha, Mumbai.

The Walk of Honour

Our Managing Trustee Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria was honoured by the Chandrakala Sanap and Prashanti Cancer Care Mission on the 18th of August 2013 at The Signature Premier Pune Style Week 2013.

These two institutes had invited ten extraordinary woman of substance from the Peshwa city of Pune, for the Walk of Honour for exemplary work in their fields and honouring them for their achievements.

Prashanti Cancer Care Mission

Prashanti Cancer Care Mission Awards 2014

On the 10th of February, 2014, Dr. C.B Koppiker, Founder of Prashanti Cancer Care Mission (a Pune based NGO with a vision dedicated to fighting and dealing with trauma of cancer) awarded our Managing Trustee, Mrs. Ritu Chhabria for her outstanding dedication, contribution and commitment in the field of social work towards the cancer foundation and her exemplary contribution on making life more meaningful for cancer patients.

The-Pride-of-Pune-Award

The Pride of Pune Award

Managing Trustee of Mukul Madhav Foundation, Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria was felicitated with the 'Pride of Pune Award' for contribution to the fields of social work and philanthropy and her efforts towards healthcare awareness initiatives in Pune – especially her involvement with cancer patients and her initiatives towards extenuating child mortality. The ceremony was hosted by Ishanya alongside a special art exhibition titled 'Celebrating Womanhood' on Sunday, 23rd March, 2014.

Children Heart Center

On the 28th of September, 2015, Mrs. Tina Ambani, Chairperson, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute honoured our Managing Trustee Mrs. Ritu Chhabria and Mukul Madhav Foundation in acknowledgement of the generous contribution made to the Hospital's "Children Heart Center" and for the help saving many young lives.

BT-CSR Excellence Award for the Project "Working for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Satara"

Finolex Industries Ltd. and their CSR partner Mukul Madhav Foundation was honored with BT-CSR Excellence Award for the category "Helping the Physically Challenged" on 14th July 2016 in New Delhi. This award was bestowed upon them for their outstanding work in the Satara district, in improving the standard of living for children suffering with Cerebral Palsy. The award was presented at the hands of Hon'ble Union Cabinet Minister for Heavy Industries and Department of Public Enterprises, Shri Anant Geete. The nominations were judged by a jury team of six members comprising of members from Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, ONGC, FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM, who reviewed each entry based on their merit and impact.

India CSR Excellence Awards

Finolex Industries and its CSR partner Mukul Madhav Foundation was awarded the India CSR Excellence Awards for the category "Best Innovative CSR Practices in Education" on the 26th of February in Delhi. This award was to recognize the company for the exemplary work being done in the field of education, by setting up an English medium school, Mukul Madhav Vidyalaya, in an interior village at Golap in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. The project was selected amongst over 100 applications from corporate houses and organizations involved in bringing about a change in the field of education in rural India.

Bluedart Global CSR Excellence and Leadership Awards for Support and Improvement in Quality of Education

Finolex Industries and its CSR partner Mukul Madhav Foundation was awarded the Global Excellence Award in the category of "Support and Improvement in Quality of Education" by Bluedart Global CSR Excellence and Leadership Awards on the 18th of February 2016 in Mumbai. We were selected out of 150 nominations received globally in this category from corporate social responsibility champions across various industries and countries. The award recognized the organization for demonstrating and creating opportunities for students in the rural areas for international quality education and for their commitment to bring positive change to the education health of the country. The case study presented was that of Mukul Madhav Vidyalaya, an English medium School in Golap, Ratnagiri.

Global Award from the Governor for CSR December 2018

Global Sindhi Council presents Global Award at the hands of the Honorable Governor of Maharashtra Shri Vidyasagar Rao to Ritu Prakash Chhabria for historic contribution in field of Education, medical and social service.

Recognition for Toilets at Sonale, Palghar January 2018

Felicitation from Yuva Parivartan for toilets in Sonale.

Indywood Excellence award (CSR)2018

Finolex Industries Limited presented with Indywood CSR awards for 'Best CSR practices in Speciality Healthcare

PMC awardFor NICU 5th may 2018

Prestigious Pune Pride Award Mrs Medhatai Patkar 2018

Gujarat CSR Summit 2018CSR excellence Award 2018 water conservation and water shed

Finolex Industries and Mukul Madhav Foundation Madhav Foundation was awarded CSR Excellence Award for the work done in the area if Water Conservation and Water Shed management in Gujarat.

ANTYODAYA-(Vadodara-CSR-summit-and-awards)

ANTYODAYA (Vadodara CSR summit and awards)

MOU-signed-with-Government-of-Maharashtra

MOU signed with Government of Maharashtra

Finolex Industries Limited (FIL) Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF) was invited by the Government of Maharashtra CMO (Chief Ministers' Office) to sign MOUs for our projects in Health and Water.

Signing in the presence of the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri. Devendra Fadnavis along with Shri. Girish Mahajan, Water resources minister and Health Education Minister, Shri. Deepak Sawant, Health Minister, Shri. Chandrakant Dada Patil, Revenue Minister and other Cabinet Ministers 

Rotary-Sinsan-Health-Care-Excellence-Award

Rotary Sinsan Health Care Excellence Award

The Endoscopy Division of Sassoon General Hospital and Mukul Madhav Foundation were selected for Rotary Sinsan Health Care Excellence Award under the professional category of Doctors.

News Highlight, Pune

Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria has been appointed as the Chairperson of FICCI FLO Pune Chapter 2019-2020.

awards-1

Times Power Women, Pune

Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria was felicitated by the Times Group under the title 'Times Power Women', Pune on Tuesday 16th April 2019 in the category of Social Cause and Philanthropy.

Commendable work in various spectrums of Social Work in the state

Shri Devendraji Fadnavis, Chief Minister, Maharashtra applauds Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF) for its commendable work in various spectrums of Social Work in the state.

ET NOW Rotary CSR Awards

ET NOW Rotary CSR Awards

Finolex Industries Limited and it's CSR partner Mukul Madhav Foundation is proud to receive the Economic Times Rotary CSR Awards for distinguished service to the society at the hands of Shri Girish Bapat and Dr. Palekar at Conrad on Friday June 14th. This award was received by Mr. Whabi Director, Finance, Finolex. Industries and Ms. Gayatri Chhabria,Trustee Mukul Madhav Foundation.

IEBF Indo European Business Forum

IEBF Indo European Business Forum, UK Awarded to Mrs Ritu Prakash Chhabria CSR excellence November 2019

Ritu Prakash Chhabria, Managing Trustee, Mukul Madhav Foundation, a CSR arm of Finolex Industries was felicitated by Indo European Business Forum with the prestigious "IEBF Excellence Award -2019 (UK)" for her eminent, innovative and historic contribution in the field of healthcare, social welfare and education.

ASIAN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP FORUM

ASIAN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP FORUM (ABLF) Awards, Dubai awarded to Mrs Ritu Prakash Chhabria for outstanding work in CSRNovember 2019

Ritu Prakash Chhabria, Managing Trustee, Mukul Madhav Foundation, a CSR arm of Finolex Industries was felicitated by HH Sheikh Nahayan, Cabinet member and minister of tolerance, UAE on 6th November , 2019 with the prestigious "Asia Business Leadership Social Influencer Award for her remarkable contribution in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Corporate-Tycoons

Corporate Tycoons (Excellence CSR Award)2019

On the 7th Anniversary of 'Corporate Tycoons' the complete Business & Travel magazine, Mrs. Ritu P. Chhabria received 'Business Excellence Award' in the CSR category for outstanding work done through Mukul Madhav Foundation at the hands of Mr. Hanmant Gaikwad of BVG in presence of Mr. Arun Firodia, Kinetic, Padmavibhushan Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar & Mr. Chandran Iyer of C.T

B-G-Deshmukh-Award

B G Deshmukh Award 2019

B G deshmukh award An annual Award by MCCIA for Corporate Social Responsibiltiy.

Suryadatta National Award

Suryadatta National Award excellent CSR award) 7th February 2019

Suryadatta Natonal Award presented to M Ritu Prakash Chhabria for excellence in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Prestigious-Pune

Prestigious Pune Pride Award Mrs Ritu Prakash Chhabria for Philanthropic contribution to the Society January 2020

Ritu Prakash Chhabria presented with with the prestigious "Pune Pride Award" for her philanthropic contribution to the society in January 2020

Yuva Unstoppable Gratitude Award 2020

Yuva Unstoppable Gratitude Award 2020

Finolex Industries and Mukul Madhav Foundation have been recognised by Yuva Foundation for the philanthropic work carried out by the foundation. On behalf of Finolex Industries Mr BR Mehta received this award at the August hands of Shri Anurag Thakur Honorable Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Himachal Pradesh.

Punyadham

Punyadham Humanitarian Award By Punyadham Ashram March 2020

Ritu Prakash Chhabria was honoured with Punyadham Humanitarian Service Award for relentlessly working for our society and impacting lives of the lesser privileged of our society. This award was presented to her at the hands of Padma Bhushan Prof. S B Majumdar, Padma Bhushan Dr Vijay Bhatkar and with the Divine blessings of Maa Krishna Kashyap.

BAPIO award for Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria - London Virtual November 2020

Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria , Managing Trustee, Mukul Madhav Foundation awarded Presidents award by BAPIO (British Association of Physicians from Indian Origin) in London on 21st November 2020 for Exceptional Philanthropy.

CSR-Times-Award

CSR Times Award in Silver Category for Covid 19 efforts during this pandemic Virtual December 2020

Mukul Madhav Foundation has been recognized by the CSR Times for the support rendered for Covid 19 pandemic in the Silver Category

Lokmat Women Achievers recognition January 2021

Recognizing women achievers in various fields

World CSR Day Award February 2021

FIL and MMD have been conferred an award by World CSR Day under the Category of Outreach In Rural Award.

Social Entrepreneurship Award by Pune Zilla Congress Committee 7th March 2021

Agency-Reporte

Agency Reporter Front Benchers 2021 - Social Media - Bronze

Recognised for #JamTheTrafficking, Front Benchers by Agency Reporter is a recognition platform for Digital Agencies & Brands to showcase their most innovative, uniquely creative, strategically targeted and highly effective digital initiatives.

April 2021 Conferred Yuva Unstppable 2021 Changemaker Award


BW Businessworld Award recognition for Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria - Social Entrepreneurship Award April 2021

Changemaker award, Gujarat Governor April 2021

Social-Samosa

Social Samosa - Best Social Media Brands - Cause Marketing - Silver

Recognised for #JamTheTrafficking, Social Samosa enables industry by leading thought and rewards the special campaigns under cause marketing that highlighted a cause and actioned betterment for it.

Kaleido-Awards-2021

Kaleido Awards 2021 - Best Small Budget Campaign - Gold

Recognised for #JamTheTrafficking, an awareness and action-driven digital campaign to support victims of sex trafficking through social media and online fundraising. The Kaleido Awards recognise and reward the purposeful work done by corporate communication professionals, public relations and organisations.