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Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2015 raises Rs 24.71 crore
MUMBAI: The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) continued its record breaking streak not only with regards to the participation of 40,000 individuals in the 2015 edition but also in successfully raising funds for charity. Among the biggest charity events in Asia, SCMM, once again surpassed all previous charity records with the highest number of donors, donations and participants supporting a cause of their choosing, this year. The 12th edition of SCMM saw 292 NGOs participate, raising a record Rs 24.71 cr.
This figure was possible through the support of 152 Corporates and their employees, 684 fundraisers and thousands of individual donors who came forward to support a host of social causes. Cumulatively, SCMM has been able to augment over Rs 134.5 crore for charitysince its inception in 2004.
As the philanthropy partner for the SCMM since 2009, United Way of Mumbai (UWM) is committed to building and growing the charitable aspect of the marathon in order to give voice, whilst generating funds for the various causes represented by hundreds of credible non-profit organizations. All funds raised through the SCMM are channelized through UWM, which is responsible for receiving, accounting and disbursement of funds while providing tax exemption receipts to all donors.
Gracing the occasion was the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Ch. Vidyasagar Rao,Shri Nand Kumar, Principal Secretary, Education & Sports, John Abraham, the brand ambassador for the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon along with representatives from various sponsors and partner to the event.
Speaking on the occasion Jayanti Shukla, Executive Director, United Way of Mumbai, said “Over the years, the SCMM has only grown in magnitude – be it the participation of the city in the race, or its giving spirit towards charitable causes. Since 2009, participating charities have consistently raised the bar at putting in dedicated efforts and raising the maximum number of funds for their causes. At United Way of Mumbai we have the privilege of witnessing the most remarkable stories of human generosity towards the wellbeing of others lesser privileged. The SCMM is over within a few hours in the morning of a very exciting thirdSunday of every January but the life altering impact of the event reverberates in the improved lives of the beneficiaries long after the event.”
“On the behalf of Procam international I convey my heartfelt gratitude to the participants and donors who came forward this year to support the cause and raise Rs 24.71 crores in Charity. I am very delighted with the way Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon has revolutionized running as a sport in India successfully completing 12 editions”, said Vivek Singh, Jt. Managing Director of Procam International, the Promoters of the event.
This year 292 NGOs will benefit monetarily from the fundraising effort associated with the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2015, with Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Careemerging as the highest fundraising NGO for the fifth year running, having raised Rs 1,66,87,596 this year for their cause. Care Foundation – Anybody Can Jump was the second highest, generating Rs 1,65,94,011, while Isha Education was the third highest fundraising NGO, having raised Rs 1,25,23,333.
The Corporate Challenge comprised of 267 teams running from across 152 participating corporate who together managed to raise Rs 9,78,00,000, which amounted to a major chunk of the total funds raised. The highest fund raising company in the Corporate Challenge wasNirmal Lifestyle Ltd. with seven teams raising Rs 82,00,000 for Care Foundation – Anybody Can Jump.
Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. was Highest Employee Fundraising Corporate who stood tall and along with their employees raised Rs 70,26,000 for Republican Sports Club, Vasantha Memorial Trust and War Wounded Foundation. Kotak Mahindra Bank was the second highest employee fundraising corporate by raising Rs 61,21,855 in support of NGOs SOPAN, Cancer Patients Aid Association and Kotak Education Foundation.
K V S Manian, Highest Individual Fundraiser – Corporate who raised Rs 13,81,116 for Cancer Patients Aid Association & Shanti Ekambaram was the Second Highest Individual Fundraiser – Corporate to raise Rs 10,21,000 for SOPAN, both the fund raisers are fromKotak Mahindra Bank.
This year, all fundraisers raising above Rs 1.5 lakh were classified as theChange Team. Together the Change Teams raised a total of Rs 6,77,79,906.Dharmesh S. Jain was the highest fundraiser among the SCMM Change Icons (those who raised above 25 lakhs), raising Rs 81,13,011 for Care Foundation – Anybody Can Jump, followed by Mihir Doshi who raised Rs 77,64,973 in support of the organizations Save The Children India and The Research Society for the Care, Treatment & Training of Children in need of Special Care.
Jayanti Shukla was the highest fundraiser among the Change Investors(those who raised between 5 – 9.99 lakhs), raising Rs 8,22,342 for United Way of India. Lastly, Girish Borkar was the highest fundraiser among theChange Makers (those who raised between 1.5 – 4.99 lakhs), raising Rs 4,75,821 for Yoga Prabha Bharati (Seva Sanstha) Trust.”
This year, two pairs of individuals formed a super team of fundraisers. The first, a husband-wife duo, Sankara Raman and his wife, Ramani Sankara Raman together raised a formidable sum of Rs 79,96,211 for Amar Seva Sangam. Both of them have been fundraisers for the SCMM since 2010.Ramani Sankara Raman is also the highest fundraiser among the Change Leaders (those who raised between 10 – 24.99 lakhs), by raising Rs 21,62,706. The second was a mother-daughter duo, Dr. Bijal Mehta and her daughter Meera Mehta, who together raised Rs 20,65,000 for Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Care. Since SCMM 2012, this duo has raised over Rs 73 lakhs (including 2015 edition figures), for the same NGO.
Abhay Jasani, Anand Mahindra, Kabir Lumba, Sadashiv Rao are the Change Icons who have played vital role in raising more than Rs 25 lakhs.
Shrimad Rajchandra’s Love & Care is the NGO with highest number of corporate runners and even second highest fundraising NGO with highest number of fundraisers who have raised more than Rs 1,50,000.Among them, students from Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Care together raised 25 lakh rupees. While, ISHA Education is the NGO with the highest number of online fundraisers.
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Havas reports solid Q1 2026 with 2.5 per cent organic net revenue growth
Advertising group maintains positive momentum and confirms full-year guidance.
MUMBAI: Havas has started 2026 on a strong note proving that even in uncertain times, its converged model continues to deliver. The global advertising and communications group reported net revenue of €638 million for the first quarter of 2026, representing organic growth of +2.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. This performance was driven particularly by a robust +7.4 per cent organic growth in the United States.
Total revenue for the quarter reached €667 million, with organic growth of +2.8 per cent. Recent acquisitions contributed a positive scope impact of +1.7 per cent, while foreign exchange movements had a negative impact of -5.8 per cent, mainly due to the US dollar and British pound.
Europe, which accounts for 50 per cent of net revenue, delivered +1.1 per cent organic growth, supported by a good performance in France. North America (36 per cent of net revenue) led the way with +7.4 per cent growth, thanks to strong contributions from both Havas Creative and Havas Media. APAC & Africa (8 per cent) saw a decline of -6.2 per cent, while Latin America (6 per cent) remained nearly stable at -0.6 per cent.
Havas chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré said, “Havas has started 2026 on a solid footing, continuing its momentum and delivering organic growth in net revenue of +2.5 per cent. This performance, in line with our full-year 2026 guidance, was driven in particular by continued strength in the US.”
The group also continued its bolt-on acquisition strategy, acquiring majority stakes in four agencies during the quarter: Acento Public Affairs (Spain), Ctrl Digital (Sweden), Styleheads (Germany), and Eyesight (France).
Havas maintained its strong creative reputation, ranking as a top holding company in the WARC Creative 100 for the sixth consecutive year, with three agencies BETC, Havas Paris, and Havas India placing in the Top 50.
Looking ahead, Havas confirmed its 2026 guidance: organic net revenue growth between +2.0 per cent and +3.0 per cent, adjusted EBIT margin between 13.2 per cent and 13.5 per cent, and a dividend payout ratio of around 40 per cent. The group also reiterated its medium-term targets for 2028.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, Havas enters the rest of the year with solid fundamentals and confidence in its ability to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
In a challenging environment, Havas is proving that its integrated, client-centric model remains resilient delivering steady growth while continuing to invest in creativity and innovation. The first quarter results suggest the group is well-positioned to navigate the year ahead with confidence.
