Jindal Foundation joins ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’, plants over 75,000 saplings nationwide to mark PM Modi’s 75th birthday

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

Jindal Foundation, the social arm of Jindal Steel led by Smt. Shallu Jindal, has planted over 75,000 saplings across India to commemorate the 75th birthday of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Each plantation site was geo-mapped, recording longitude and latitude for accountability and tracking.

In Odisha alone, the Foundation contributed significantly to the State Government’s massive plantation drive under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0, planting 55,000 saplings on the Prime Minister’s birthday under the guidance of Naveen Jindal, MP (Kurukshetra) and Chairman of Jindal Steel.

Community plantation programmes were held across the company’s operational sites in Angul, Barbil, Tensa, and Kasia. The initiative witnessed the participation of thousands of employees, women’s self-help groups (SHGs), farmers’ clubs, farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), community members, students, and volunteers. Senior government officers, community leaders, schoolchildren, teachers, and local panchayat representatives also joined the drive. Significantly, fruit-bearing and medicinal saplings were planted to ensure long-term ecological, health, and nutritional benefits for communities.

At Angul, the District Administration’s participation was notable, with ADM Pratap Pritimay, Sub-Collector Mayadhar Behera, and Tahsildar Sushant Mishra leading plantation activities at Benagadia and Derjang villages, where over 20 acres of land were covered under greenery initiatives. Senior Jindal Steel leaders, including Executive Director (In-Charge) Pankaj Malhan, President & Group Head CSR Prashanta Hota, EVP Ashish Pandey, EVP Prasanna Panda, and Vice President S.K. Sharma, joined the effort alongside officials from NABARD, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and local representatives. More than 43,000 saplings were planted in Angul alone.

Local panchayats played a proactive role in mobilizing communities, with inspiring involvement from Sarpanches Anil Pradhan and Tuni Sahoo, Zila Parishad Member Dilip Pradhan, MP’s representative Bijay Majhi, and social workers Kumuda Sahoo, Sourav Behera, and Kumara Behera.

In Barbil, Tensa, and Kasia, community plantation drives were organised across four Gram Panchayats, planting 12,000 saplings. The initiative was led by Jindal Steel’s Cluster Head (BKT) Pramod Patra, Unit Head (Barbil) Purushotham M.D., and Unit Head (Tensa) R.S. Raghuwanshi, along with local elected representatives and officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Jindal Foundation Chairperson Shallu Jindal said, “We are proud to be a part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, which beautifully unites environmental responsibility with the sacred emotional bond with one’s mother. Planting trees in our mothers’ names is not just symbolic but a genuine step toward nurturing both nature and values. This reflects our respect for the Prime Minister’s vision and our commitment to building a sustainable tomorrow.”

Jindal Steel’s Executive Director (In-Charge) Pankaj Malhan added, “Environmental sustainability is integral to our operations. This initiative has helped us connect with local communities in a meaningful way, reinforcing our commitment to green development.”

Echoing this, President & Group Head (CSR & Sustainability) Shri Prashanta Hota said, *“At Jindal, we don’t just plant trees—we nurture ecosystems. Every sapling is tracked and maintained, ensuring long-term survival. It is our way of giving back to the land that sustains us.”*

The Foundation emphasized that the plantations are community-driven, with several community-based organisations linked to support and adopt scientific measures for ensuring 100% survival after the first stress period. At the Derjang site, ADM Pratap Pritimay lauded the company’s commitment, noting that Jindal Foundation has been meaningfully partnering with the government and district administration to improve quality of life for local communities.

Over the years, the Jindal Foundation has consistently worked towards environmental sustainability through tree plantation drives, water conservation, integrated watershed development, orchard development, water harvesting structures, and carbon sink projects around its operational locations with active community participation. The Foundation also supports eco clubs in schools, green livelihood training for women’s SHGs, and environmental education.

Guided by its motto “Caring Beyond Bounds,” the Jindal Foundation continues to integrate ecological responsibility into all aspects of its social development work.