MAM
Under #WomenBeTheChange Muthoot Pappachan Group undertakes humble yet, a unique initiative to help fight against the pandemic and empower women at the same time
Muthoot Pappachan Group (popularly known as Muthoot Blue) today announced its unique initiative #WomenBeTheChange, with the initial order of 100,000 masks made by women.
Sharing his thoughts on the initiative, Mr. Thomas Muthoot, promoter-Director – Muthoot Pappachan Group and Managing Director – Muthoot Microfin Limited, said, “In our Microfinance business we are serving about 2 million women, across small towns & villages now for years. Undaunted by the travails of a life full of strife, these women have demonstrated grit, determination and enterprise in building & managing economic activities towards a healthy & happy livelihood for their families. It’s, therefore, such an overwhelming thought for us at Muthoot Pappachan Group, to support the idea of these feisty women making Masks to help fight the pandemic. The Group has contributed in several other ways as have other organisations and individuals. However, #WomenBeTheChange is unique and serves a dual purpose in empowering women as well as, fighting the pandemic and we are so glad to be a humble part of the same”.
The unique #WomenBeTheChange initiative has been appreciated by various personalities across various walks of life. Padma awardee actress Ms. Vidya Balan tweeted, “Applauding Muthoot Pappachan Group’s humble effort”; Honorable Member of Parliament, Shri Shashi Tharoor tweeted, “Impressed & pleased to join @vidya_balan in applauding this initiative”; and, Cricket prodigy Mr. Prithvi Shaw tweeted, “Proud to be with @muthootindia and @vidya_balan, in their effort”
Brands
Ekart expands IKEA partnership with EV deliveries in Chennai
3PL to handle 600 plus products with 48 hour delivery via EV fleet.
MUMBAI: Flatpacks are going electric and your sofa might now arrive with a smaller carbon footprint. Ekart has expanded its partnership with IKEA to power last-mile deliveries in Chennai, doubling down on speed, scale and sustainability in one of India’s key urban markets. Under the collaboration, Ekart will manage end-to-end large-format deliveries for IKEA across the city using a 100 per cent dedicated electric vehicle fleet. The move makes Chennai the second major market after NCR-Delhi where Ekart handles IKEA’s last-mile logistics, signalling a broader rollout of EV-led supply chains.
The mandate is no small load. Ekart will oversee deliveries for over 600 products from IKEA’s catalogue, ranging from furniture to home décor—categories that demand specialised handling and precision logistics.
Backed by its technology-driven fulfilment network, Ekart is targeting deliveries within a 48-hour window, offering real-time tracking and end-to-end visibility from warehouse to doorstep. The focus is clear: faster turnarounds without compromising on control or customer experience.
The EV-first model also aligns with both companies’ sustainability goals, as urban logistics increasingly shifts towards zero-emission solutions. For IKEA, which continues to expand its omnichannel presence in India, reliable and eco-conscious last-mile delivery is becoming central to scale.
For Ekart, the partnership reinforces its positioning as an enterprise-grade logistics player in large-format commerce. The company already supports over 1,800 retail, D2C and enterprise brands, spanning last-mile delivery, part-truckload services and warehousing.
As India’s logistics ecosystem evolves, this collaboration highlights a growing trend: delivery is no longer just about distance, it’s about efficiency, experience and increasingly, emissions.
