This Diwali, the Lodha family, through Abhishek Lodha, MD & CEO of Macrotech Developers Ltd. (Lodha Group), has announced a groundbreaking philanthropic contribution. The family has committed to transferring a substantial part of their shareholding in Macrotech Developers Ltd. (MDL) to the Lodha Philanthropy Foundation (LPF), creating an initial corpus of Rs. 20,000 crore (approximately USD 2.5 billion). This significant commitment is directed toward furthering the Foundation’s mission of national and social upliftment, which will now see LPF holding a one-fifth share in one of India’s leading real estate companies.
Reflecting on the Lodha family’s decision, Abhishek Lodha drew inspiration from the Tata family, which donated a substantial part of its wealth to Tata Trusts, a model that has profoundly influenced Indian philanthropy. “We envision LPF’s contributions aligning with India’s aspirations to become a developed nation by 2047,” stated Lodha, highlighting the Foundation’s role in “jan bhaagidari” or participatory nation-building.
Lodha Philanthropy Foundation: A Vision for Social Transformation
The Lodha Philanthropy Foundation (LPF), the dedicated charitable branch of the Lodha Group, is committed to making a transformative social impact in India across four primary areas: women’s empowerment, children’s education, environmental sustainability, and the preservation of Indian culture.
One of LPF’s flagship initiatives, Lodha Unnati, emphasizes increasing women’s participation in India’s workforce by creating a conducive environment for female employees within corporate structures, providing vital upskilling, and ensuring that women have resources to balance professional and family commitments.
LPF has also established the Institute of Applied Mathematics (IAM), inspired by Canada’s Fields Institute. This initiative seeks to support top mathematical minds from India and beyond, creating a research hub for advancing mathematical sciences.
Lodha Genius Programme identifies and supports exceptionally gifted children across India, from middle school through to their early professional lives. The program ensures financial assistance, mentoring, infrastructure, and specialized learning to maximize these young minds’ potential while instilling a spirit of national service.
Further, the Justice Gumanmal Lodha Scholars Program honors the legacy of Chief Justice Gumanmal Lodha by sponsoring high-achieving Indian students to study at premier global institutions, including Harvard University. The scholarship covers tuition and other expenses up to USD 100,000 per year, encouraging scholars to return to India and contribute to the nation’s growth.
Pioneering Environmental Sustainability in Real Estate
LPF is also pioneering sustainable development with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions in real estate. In partnership with the Rocky Mountain Institute, USA (RMI), Lodha has taken strides towards carbon neutrality, with 99% of its construction powered by renewable energy and nearly all wastewater recycled. Lodha Group now stands as one of the top 10 global real estate developers recognized for sustainability.
A Legacy of Nation-Building
The Lodha Group has a robust history, delivering over 100 million square feet in real estate and overseeing more than 110 million square feet in ongoing and planned developments. This Diwali, through its contribution to LPF, the Lodha family not only aims to contribute significantly to nation-building but also to inspire future generations to align success with social impact, embodying the spirit of shared growth and responsibility.
