Jindal Steel honoured with Rotary India National CSR Award 2025 for transformative water and sanitation initiatives

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 25, 2025

Reaffirming its leadership in community welfare and sustainability, Jindal Steel has been honoured with the Rotary India National CSR Award 2025 (Eastern Region) in the prestigious Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Mega Category. The award acknowledges the company’s exemplary contribution to improving rural water access and sanitation across eastern India.

At a glittering ceremony held in Kolkata on October 23, 2025, Prashant Hota, President and Group Head (CSR & Education), Jindal Steel, received the award from Flt. Lt. Rtn. K.P. Nagesh, Director, Rotary International, in the presence of noted singer Usha Uthup, renowned actor Rituparna Sengupta, and other eminent dignitaries.

The recognition celebrates Jindal Steel’s far-reaching social impact through the Jindal Foundation, which has enabled access to safe drinking water and improved hygiene for millions across Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. Guided by the inclusive vision of Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Jindal Steel, the company’s watershed management and WASH programmes have significantly transformed rural ecosystems. Implemented through Village Watershed Committees, these initiatives have enhanced groundwater recharge, improved soil moisture, boosted agricultural productivity, and ensured sustainable water availability for local communities.

Expressing gratitude to the Rotary India National CSR Award jury, Shallu Jindal, Chairperson of Jindal Foundation, said, “We believe that access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene is not merely a developmental milestone but a collective responsibility. Through our WASH initiatives, we remain committed to transforming lives and nurturing healthier, more resilient communities across India.”

Through a range of innovative water management interventions, the Jindal Foundation has provided safe drinking water to over 12.5 million people in more than 3,400 villages across Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and other regions. The pioneering Angul Watershed Model, developed in collaboration with NABARD, integrates social, economic, and environmental sustainability to strengthen community resilience to climate change. Building on its success, Jindal Steel has extended the model to its Kasia Mines area in Odisha and Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh, where solar-powered, technology-enabled water systems are ensuring clean and climate-resilient water access in underserved regions.

To address sanitation and hygiene needs, the Foundation has constructed over 5,000 toilets in partnership with government bodies and has led campaigns promoting the use of sanitary napkins among millions of women and girls, fostering menstrual health and dignity.

Driven by its commitment to enhancing the Human Development Index, Jindal Foundation continues to act as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable growth. It provides strategic direction to Jindal Steel’s social initiatives across its operational areas, reinforcing the company’s long-term vision of sustainability, innovation, and equitable development. Through its continued focus on community empowerment, Jindal Foundation remains steadfast in building a healthier, equitable, and sustainable future for all.