Mangalore: Malaika Group Opens First Branch in City

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (FR)

Mangalore, Jul 23: The 21st showroom of Malaika Household Appliances and also the Malaika Multi-State Cooperative Credit Society, a household name in Mumbai, India’s commercial capital, were inaugurated at Pio Mall, Bejai, here on Saturday July 23.

Deputy mayor Geetha Nayak inaugurated the showroom. Eric Briganza, president of Haier Appliances India Private Limited, who was the chief guest on the occasion, lit the lamp and parish priest of St Xavier Church, Bejai Fr Victor Machado blessed the showroom. KPCC secretary and advocate Ivan D'Souza inaugurated the multi-state Co-operative Credit Society by opening the treasury symbolically and Fr Peter Cyprian D'Souza, Superior of St Anne’s Friary, Mangalore, blessed the treasury.

For Gilbert Baptist managing director of Malaika Group, one of the top dealers of Mumbai opening the 21st branch of the group in Mangalore is a dreams come true and is like a homecoming. Speaking on the occasion Gilbert Baptist said that he had left Mangalore in 1985 and had always dreamt of starting a showroom in his hometown. “Opening our branch in Mangalore was my ambition for a long time. We had started off in Mumbai in a 60 sq ft area by manufacturing small electronic components. Today we have grown to have 60,000 sq ft area in Mumbai and will continue our upward march by opening more retail stores”, Gilbert Baptist said speaking after the inauguration of the showroom and the Co-operative society.

Fr Victor Machado in his address welcomed Gilbert Baptist to Mangalore and especially to Bejai saying “whatever steps you take will be blessed by god and he will keep you going. I wish your showrooms will keep multiplying in Mangalore in the coming years”. Fr Cyprian stated that having established a good name in Mumbai, the Malaika group has come to Mangalore and it is nice to have their showroom in Pio Mall.

Eric Briganza, in his address acknowledged that Malaika group has emerged as one of the top dealers in Mumbai and said “emerging as a top dealer in a city like Mumbai is no mean achievement, especially because the market is very competitive. He also pointed out that Haier is able to have is products displayed at the Malaika showroom. He also stated that Haier group has a an annual turnover of 1000 crores and the company is happy to grow to this extent.

Deputy mayor Geetha Nayak said it is possible to grow in business by adhering to the twin policies of honesty and sincerity. She said “it is a matter of satisfaction to know that the Malaika group has been able to provide employment to nearly 200 people of Dakshina Kannada in Mumbai”.

KPCC secretary Ivan D'Souza pointed out that Mangalore being an educational hub is growing at a rapid pace and the city offers tremendous opportunities for growth. He also stated that Gilbert Baptist has proved his capacity to tackle business successfully in different parts of the country and stated that Malaika group should show its service mind to the people.

Earlier Marceline Baptist and Gilbert Baptist welcome the guests to the dais. They also presented mementos to the guests who graced the occasion. The couple also honoured people and well wishers who had contributed in setting up the showroom and all those who extended physical and moral support to set up the show room.

Lancy Mascarenhas of Lancy Constructions was also on the dais.

Naveen Kulshekar gave a brief account of the Malaika Multi-State Co-operative Credit Society and its functioning.

Many prominent citizens of the city and well wishers of Malaika group were present at the inauguration function.