MBD Group commemorated its 70th Establishment Day on September 30, 2026, marking seven decades since founder Shri Ashok Kumar Malhotra opened a modest bookshop in Jalandhar on September 30, 1956. Over the years the diversified group has expanded into printing, publishing, EdTech, hospitality, real estate, retail, food & beverage, robotics and coding. The celebration underscored the Group’s enduring commitment to education, well‑being and community development through its CSR umbrella, My Best Deeds, and the Ashok Malhotra Charitable Trust, which support girl‑child education, the Love to Learn programme, empowerment of specially‑abled children via Ashok Karya, disaster relief, environmental conservation and assistance to underserved communities. Chairperson Satish Bala Malhotra noted that the 70‑year milestone reflects a strong foundation laid by the founder and a focus on building long‑term institutions while staying connected to people and communities.
Education remains central to the Group’s strategy, evolving from traditional publishing to technology‑enabled experiential learning. Key initiatives include Love to Learn, the Robotics Lab on Wheels that brings hands‑on robotics, coding, IoT and automation to budget schools, and AI‑STEAM programmes that introduce artificial‑intelligence concepts. In 2026 the Group launched the AASOKA Science Kit initiative, targeting 25,000 students across 400 schools to provide practical science learning. The Group has set a five‑year target to reach 1,000 schools and one lakh (100,000) students with future‑ready learning opportunities.
On September 28, 2026 the AI‑STEAM Lab Championship was held at MBD House, featuring four students from each of 16 participating schools who developed technology‑driven solutions to real‑world challenges. The competition offered a prize pool of ₹3.25 lakh. Managing Director Monica Malhotra Kandhari emphasized that the event exemplifies the Group’s aim to make emerging technologies and experiential learning accessible, especially to students with limited opportunities. Lavi Public School, Ghevra, New Delhi, emerged as the champion, with its students citing increased confidence and practical problem‑solving skills gained from the Robotics Lab on Wheels.
Beyond education, the Group’s well‑being agenda includes mental health, physical fitness, community participation, environmental stewardship, animal welfare and outreach to marginalized groups. The Ashok Karya framework underpins many of these efforts. In September 2026 the Group partnered with Run Yodha 2026, organizing a marathon on September 27 that brought employees together to promote active lifestyles and raise awareness about hunger. Joint Managing Director Sonica Malhotra Kandhari reiterated that such initiatives reflect the Group’s broader responsibility to foster healthier, more resilient communities.
Looking ahead, MBD Group intends to build on its legacy by continuing to integrate its roots in education and community development with new opportunities in technology, learning, well‑being and innovation, reaffirming its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for future generations.