Mangaluru’s Shabana Faizal among India’s Top 10 Women Philanthropists on EdelGive Hurun List
Mangaluru: Shabana Faizal, originally from Mangaluru, has been recognised among India’s top philanthropists, securing a place as the youngest woman in the top 10 of the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025. At 53, she has donated Rs 40 crore through the Faizal & Shabana Foundation, earning a spot among the country’s most impactful changemakers.
Her inclusion places her alongside prominent women philanthropists such as Rohini Nilekani, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, and Bina Shah, underscoring her growing influence in India’s social development landscape.
Born and raised in Mangaluru, Shabana is the only daughter of Late B. Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen, a respected businessman and socio-religious leader who founded the BA Group of Businesses in Thumbay, near Mangaluru. She completed her degree in psychology from St. Agnes College and later pursued a diploma in fashion design and merchandising from the National Institute of Fashion Design, Dubai.
Her early professional journey began in industries traditionally dominated by men, including work in steel mills and data entry, experiences that shaped her adaptability and resilience.
According to the Meitra Hospital website, where Shabana serves as a Director, her entrepreneurial career took off in 1995 when she began retailing specialty and luxury products. She later joined her husband, Faizal E. Kottikollon, in managing Emirates Techno Casting (ETC), a major engineering and manufacturing enterprise in the UAE. In her role, she managed human resources and administrative operations, contributing significantly to the company’s success.
Today, she is the Vice Chairperson of KEF Holdings, a Singapore-based family enterprise with investments across sectors like infrastructure, education, agriculture, metals, and finance. The group is known for leveraging off-site construction technologies and sustainability-driven innovations that have made a global impact.
In 2007, Shabana and her husband co-founded the Faizal & Shabana Foundation with the motto “Giving to Create Impact.” The foundation focuses on education, youth development, healthcare, community outreach, regenerative development, humanitarian aid, and the arts, aiming to create sustainable social change through long-term initiatives.
Shabana and her husband Faizal E. Kottikollon
Her philanthropic work reflects a deep commitment to giving back to society, an extension of the values she imbibed from her upbringing in Mangaluru.
The EdelGive Foundation, in collaboration with the Hurun Research Institute, released the 12th edition of the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List this year. The report highlights India’s most generous individuals and families, noting that 191 philanthropists together contributed Rs 10,380 crore over the past three years — an 85% rise in donations compared to earlier years.
Education continues to receive the highest support, with Rs 4,166 crore donated by 107 contributors. The list also revealed that the top 25 philanthropists donated Rs 50,000 crore in just five years, averaging Rs 46 crore per day. Mumbai accounted for the largest share of donations at 28%, followed by New Delhi and Bengaluru.
A mother of four— Sophiya, Sarah, Zacharia, and Czarina — Shabana continues to balance family life with business leadership and social service. Her journey from a small-town upbringing to global entrepreneurship and impactful philanthropy showcases how determination, empathy, and a sense of purpose can redefine success.
Shabana Faizal’s recognition on the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025 stands as a proud moment for Mangaluru and Karnataka, celebrating a woman whose vision continues to inspire both corporate and social transformation.
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Governor urges enhanced budgetary support for higher education in state budget
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Saturday urged the state government to provide stronger budgetary backing to the Higher Education department in the forthcoming state budget.
Presiding over the Karnataka State Public Universities Vice Chancellors’ Conference–2026, organised by Lok Bhavan in collaboration with the Higher Education department and the Karnataka Higher Education Council, the Governor stressed that public universities require structured and sustained financial support, a press release issued by Lok Bhavan said.
“Universities, having limited internal revenue sources, require special financial care and structured budgetary support,” the release quoted Gehlot as saying, while appealing to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ensure the March 6 State Budget is more beneficial to higher education.
The Governor expressed satisfaction over the Chief Minister’s participation in the conference and voiced confidence that the upcoming budget would prioritise higher education.
He specifically called for filling long-pending vacancies in institutions such as Karnataka State Dr Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Kannada University, Karnataka Janapada University, and Dr B R Ambedkar School of Economics University, along with adequate financial provisions for their development.
Emphasising the need to strengthen government universities, Gehlot said deliberations at the conference reflected Karnataka’s readiness to steer higher education in a new direction.
He also called for increasing admissions in government institutions and examining why students prefer private universities despite higher fees.
The Governor stressed strict adherence to academic calendars to ensure timely admissions, examinations and declaration of results.
Improved coordination between Vice Chancellors and Registrars, upskilling of academic staff, curriculum updates aligned with present-day needs and the introduction of job-oriented courses were identified as priorities.
Highlighting campus development, he stressed the need to improve quality, cleanliness and greenery, and urged active implementation of initiatives such as “One Tree for Mother.”
He also encouraged universities to promote sports participation to enable students to represent institutions at district, state, national and international levels.
On governance and transparency, Gehlot pressed for strict compliance with central and UGC guidelines within stipulated timelines.
The release said he emphasised that institutional credibility depends on resolving internal disputes democratically and maintaining transparency in financial matters.
He added that the Chancellor must foster harmony among stakeholders to avoid unnecessary inquiries and administrative disruptions.
The Governor suggested that universities expand international collaborations for academic and student exchange, enhance national rankings and address faculty shortages and infrastructure gaps.
Leveraging central schemes and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds was suggested as a way to bridge financial constraints with State support.
According to him, universities should preference to Indian traditional dress as uniform attire during annual convocation ceremonies to promote cultural heritage.
The conference commenced with the rendition of Vande Mataram, Jana Gana Mana and Naada Geethe. Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar welcomed participants and outlined the objectives of the conference.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar were among those present on the occasion.
