Sara Gandevikar Jewellers sets out to help thalassaemia patients with its blood donation camp

The camp held on February 19 is one of many CSR initiatives undertaken by the brand  

Vadodara: Sara Gandevikar Jewellers hosted a blood donation camp in Vadodara on February 19, with more than 200 people turning up to support the cause — aiding children afflicted by thalassaemia (an inherited blood disorder) — taken up by the brand. By the time the camp ended, 51 units of blood had been collected. The initiative was widely promoted through social media, in-store LED screens, and word-of-mouth efforts by the company’s 250 staff members. 

The camp was held at the Sara Art and Cultural Center, a 5,000 sq. ft space that regularly hosts community programmes, ranging from art workshops to social welfare events. “The blood donation drive was conducted in collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society in Vadodara, ensuring everything was well-organized and medically supervised. The collected blood will be used to help children suffering from thalassaemia, a cause that’s very close to our hearts,” said Ramanand S Gandevikar, Director, Sara Gandevikar Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. According to him, despite some challenges, such as health-related restrictions that prevented some volunteers, especially women, from donating blood, the turnout was higher than expected. In fact, participation was higher than the last such camp held three years ago, he said. 

This initiative is part of the company’s larger commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), which ranges from healthcare to education, rural outreach and cultural development. Gandevikar said that the brand hosts women-centric events, such as Women’s Week, which includes empowerment talks, parenting sessions and artistic workshops, as part of its CSR mission which extends beyond urban settings, with a dedicated team visiting around 50 villages within a 100-150 km radius of Vadodara. “These visits focus on health and hygiene awareness, particularly menstrual health education, an initiative led by the women of the Gandevikar family,” the jeweller explained. 

The brand also supports the education of financially disadvantaged students. It has been providing scholarships to 800-900 academically bright students each year for the last five years. 

The brand organizes three annual music concerts, besides launching the property ‘Sara Voice of Vadodara’ – a singing competition that has since gained recognition – five years back. These non-profit events provide a platform for emerging talent while contributing to the city’s cultural vibrancy, courtesy the brand. 

Initially, the company had started its CSR activity by supporting local events through sponsorship, but has since shifted to direct community involvement. This hands-on approach has strengthened its relationship with customers. 

Operating three stores in Vadodara—including a 20,000 sq. ft gold jewellery store, a 5,000 sq. ft silver emporium in Dandiya Bazaar, and a 5,000 sq. ft store on Waghodiya Road— Sara Gandevikar Jewellers balances business expansion with its CSR initiatives. Through consistent efforts, it has built a strong connection with the community, proving that business success and social impact can go hand in hand. 

Written by Aparna Bhowmick 

Retail Jeweller India Exclusive