impact headlines
A Call for the Indian Diaspora to Give Back: Manu Shah's Vision for India's Future
In his recent article published in India West (September 2024), Manu Shah, Founder of Sarva Mangal Family Trust, calls on the Indian diaspora to embrace their unique position of privilege and give back to the country that helped shape their success. India, a nation of 1.4 billion, is at a crossroads, facing immense challenges in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. While many of us in the diaspora enjoy prosperity abroad, millions in India continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment, and limited access to basic services. Shah urges us to take action—whether through supporting local NGOs, funding educational and healthcare initiatives, or investing in sustainable infrastructure. Now, more than ever, it is our moral responsibility to step up and make a difference. By giving back to India, we not only uplift our homeland but also honor the opportunities it provided us.
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To read the full article, visit this link.
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Empowering Excellence: The Shah Happiness Room and the Legacy of Innovation
The Shah Family Endowed Chair at Chapman University's Argyros College of Business and Commerce epitomizes a profound dedication to student empowerment and industry innovation, symbolized by the Shah Happiness Room—a space designed to inspire motivation and foster creativity. Named in honor of the Shah family's commitment to education, this room serves as a catalyst for transformative learning experiences. Anchored by the semester-long course Creativity and Innovation — Corporate Entrepreneurship, students are equipped with the mindset and tools necessary to thrive in dynamic business environments. Beyond academia, the Chair's dedication extends to vital research and service initiatives, addressing topics such as employment trends and technological disruption. Through internships and recognition programs, the Chair forges meaningful connections between classroom learning and real-world application, shaping the future of industry leadership. As the Shah Family Endowed Chair in Innovativeness continues to expand its reach, it remains a beacon of inspiration, driving students towards excellence and industry impact.
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To learn more about Chapman University, visit this link: https://www.chapman.edu/
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Illumination Foundation Dedicates Shah Happiness Home, A New Family Emergency Home in Orange County
Illumination Foundation announces a new family emergency home serving unhoused families opens in Orange County thanks to the support and commitment of the Shah Happiness Foundation. The new Shah Happiness Home is a safe place for families experiencing homelessness to receive supportive services on their journey to permanent housing.
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To learn more about Illumination Foundation, visit this link: https://www.ifhomeless.org/
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Press Release: https://www.msisurfaces.com/news/illumination-foundation-dedicates-shah-happiness-home-new-family-emergency-home-in-orange-county/
Shah Family Endows Chair in Innovativeness In The Chapman University's Argyros College of Business and Economics
The Shah Family proudly announces their commitment to endow a chair in Innovativeness within Chapman University's George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics. This philanthropic initiative aims to ignite innovation, education, and research at the intersection of high-tech thinking and low-tech industries.
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To learn more about Chapman University, visit this link: https://www.chapman.edu/
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Manu & Rika Shah Honored with Business Excellence Award by Chapman University
On November 9th, Chapman University's Argyros College of Business recognized the exemplary achievements of Manu and Rika Shah, co-founders of MS International (MSI), by presenting them with distinguished Business Excellence Award for 2023. The ceremony, attended by Chapman University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and esteemed guests, was a celebration of the Shahs' outstanding contributions to business innovation and philanthropy.
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To learn more about Chapman University, visit this link: https://www.chapman.edu/
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Press Release: https://www.msisurfaces.com/news/manu-and-rika-shah-honored-with-business-excellence-award-by-chapman-university/
SMFT Anchored Nonprofit, Rocket Learning, Supports Ministry Of Women & Child Development's "Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi" Program As Ecce Taskforce Member And Civil Society Partner
Sarva Mangal Family Trust supported nonprofit, Rocket Learning collaborates with the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) as a civil society partner for the implementation of the "Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (Education Along with Nutrition)" program, under the Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. With this, Rocket Learning is now a major partner of the central government and seven state governments, making significant strides towards transforming the lives of low income household children across the country.
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To learn more about Rocket Learning, visit this link: https://www.rocketlearning.org/
SMFT Supports Travis Mills Foundation To Help Army Veterans and Their Families
Sarva Mangal Family Trust supports Travis Mills Foundation to help veterans and their families who have been injured in active duty or as a result of their service to the nation overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Veteran families receive an all-inclusive, all-expenses-paid, barrier-free vacation in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine where they participate in adaptive activities, bond with other veteran families, and enjoy much-needed rest and relaxation.
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To learn more about Travis Mills Foundation, visit this link: https://travismillsfoundation.org/
SMFT Donates To Karma Junction USA to Build a Water Well in a Remote Village School
With the support of SMFT, Karma Junction successfully built a water well in Pay Center School, Gujarat, ensuring a sustainable water source for the entire community. This initiative has brought about a transformative change. The students now have access to clean water for drinking, sanitation, and maintaining personal hygiene. It has created a healthier and more conducive learning environment, enabling the students to focus on their education and reach their full potential.
MSI Co-Founder & CEO Manu Shah Just Three Questions: Brief Conversations For Big Inspiration Interview
Manu Shah, MSI’s Co-founder & CEO recently interviewed for the series Just Three Questions: Brief Conversations for Big Inspiration, a series that explores the values and motivations of philanthropists and social impact leaders.
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You can read the interview at this link: https://stories.indiaspora.org/three-questions/Manu-Shah
Manu and Rika Shah Presented with Champions Circle Award for Supporting Young Leaders at Resolution Project's Young Leaders Now Award Dinner
Resolution Project honored Manu and Rika Shah, co-founders of MS International (MSI), with the Champions Circle Award for Supporting Young Leaders. This award is presented to top leaders who, throughout their careers, have distinguished themselves as champions for social change and advocates for entrepreneurship. In addition to creating hundreds of thousands of jobs worldwide through MSI, Mr. and Mrs. Shah’s Sarva Mangal Family Trust supports philanthropic endeavors like Resolution, which has allowed it to identify and propel dozens of young social entrepreneurs working on impactful social ventures across Sub-Saharan Africa.
SMFT Supports Health Living Of Young Girls Ages 11-13 In South Asia
Arogya World is a global health non-profit organization working to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—diabetes, heart disease, cancer and chronic lung diseases—through health education and lifestyle change. Through our programs and advocacy efforts, we help people around the world lead healthier lives. Our mission is reflected in our name: “Arogya” in Sanskrit means to live a life without disease.
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Sarva Mangal Family Trust supports Arogya World to empower young girls to eat right and steer their families toward healthy living and educate adolescent children (ages 11-13) on healthy living and help ensure a healthier future generation.
SMFT Donates 5 Liter Oxygen Concentrator To Treat A Covid-19 Patient In North Carolina, USA
SMFT Supports A Large Scale Social Impact Initiative In Africa
Resolution Project works towards finding and supporting innovative not-for-profits across the world run by young social entrepreneurs.
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Sarva Mangal Family Trust aims to increase social impact activities in Nairobi and other parts of Africa covering preventive healthcare, education and employment generation with the help of small-scale nonprofits and young social entrepreneurs. Through Resolution Project, we aim to identify and support 130 Not-for-profits and Social Entrepreneurs from Kenya and Rest of Africa that work in areas relevant to MSI Charitable Trust. The Resolution Project will setup 3 Social Innovation Hubs with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and other locations in Africa that will serve as a Launchpad for the most impactful Not-for-profits and Social Entrepreneurs.
Some of the other foundations that support this initiative are: Mastercard Foundation, Deloitte, DuPont, Ford, White & Case, Morgan Lewis, Open Society Foundations and Macquarie.
SMFT Grants Education Scholarships To High School Students
Starting this April 2021, MSI started providing academic scholarships to college-bound, high-school seniors who excel academically, exhibit exceptional leadership potential, participate in community service activities, & demonstrate financial need.
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The scholarships were granted to high school students from Tustin Public Schools Foundation in Southern California. MSI’s efforts were well received by TPSF especially during the pandemic. The two students who received MSI’s scholarships are on their way to the universities of Portland and Southern California respectively, for their undergraduate studies. The scholarships were provided as a result of a rigorous vetting process, where the applicants shared their academic/career goals, and their inspiration to pursue education and create an impact in their communities.
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We are proud to partner with TPSF and wish all the very best to MSI Scholarship recipients.
SMFT Donates 100 Refurbished IPads For The Use Of Seniors In Orange County
M S International, Inc. at Orange County partnered with Orange Senior Center to donate 100 refurbished iPads to adults 50 and better to help them transition to virtual environment at the time of COVID-19. We are hoping to help seniors connect to the world and improve the quality of their life. MSI volunteers will conduct seminars for the seniors to help them learn the use of iPads and make their fullest use. Our philanthropic effort will help over 100 seniors who are served by Orange Senior Center.
SMFT recently partnered with Lestonnac Free Clinic, which has over 300 volunteer providers and 400 volunteer professionals who donate their time and skills to provide FREE medical, dental, and vision healthcare to uninsured and low-income families. We donated a mobile van with pre-installed telemedicine equipment for patient assessment using technology.
As a response to COVID-19, SMFT supported United Sikh Mission - a local organization, which works on the principles of Gurudwaras and provides access to free meals to thousands of people a day here in the US. SMFT supported 10,000 meals over the next 60 days to frontline health workers, senior citizens, the homeless and families who have been affected by coronavirus in Southern California.