MBD Group, one of India’s leading education-led business groups with diversified interests in publishing, edtech, hospitality and real estate, on July 10 announced the launch of Ashok Samvad, a national conclave dedicated to leadership, social impact and the purposeful exchange of ideas, on the occasion of the 81st birth anniversary of the Group’s Founder, Shri Ashok Kumar Malhotra.
Launched under Ashok Karya, the Group’s social impact movement inspired by the Founder’s values and vision, Ashok Samvad marks the next chapter in MBD Group’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue, collaboration and community-led transformation. The inaugural edition of the conclave was held at MBD House, New Delhi, bringing together leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, change makers, principals and representatives from over 100 schools across Delhi-NCR.
The conclave featured keynote addresses, fireside conversations and interactive sessions on leadership, resilience, innovation, sustainability, service and social transformation. Bringing together diverse perspectives from education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, hospitality, innovation, arts and social development, Ashok Samvad provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, encouraged cross-sector collaboration and explored collective solutions to some of India’s most pressing social and developmental challenges.
As part of Ashok Karya, MBD Group also advanced its commitment to experiential learning through the AASOKA Science Kit Distribution Initiative, under which science kits will be distributed to participating schools. Valued at approximately ₹2.5 Crore, the initiative aims to reach 400 schools, benefit around 25,000 grade 6 students, and provide teacher training, with an internal proposal to expand the programme to 800 schools.
Designed primarily for budget schools, the kits include hands-on experiment materials, printed learning resources and digital support videos, enabling teachers to bring activity-based science learning into classrooms while helping students develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts through practical application.
Speaking about the new initiative, Ms. Satish Bala Malhotra, Chairperson, MBD Group, said, ” Ashok Samvad is inspired by that belief and by the values of compassion, integrity, service and humanity that continue to guide our organisation. Through this platform, we hope to create opportunities for learning, exchange and collective growth while encouraging individuals to contribute meaningfully to society.”
The launch of Ashok Samvad also marks the next chapter of MBD Group’s 2025 social movement, Main Bhi Ashok, inspired by the Founder’s name and legacy that encourages individuals to embody his values through dialogue, collaboration, and collective action.
School leaders and principals attending the conclave appreciated MBD Group’s efforts to promote experiential learning through the AASOKA Science Kit Distribution Initiative, recognising its potential to make science education more engaging, accessible and activity-based for students. The initiative was widely welcomed as a meaningful step towards empowering teachers and enriching classroom learning.
