The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JULY 2, 2025
Reaffirming its steadfast commitment to community welfare, the Jindal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Jindal Steel & Power, has once again played a vital role in the grand Rath Yatra festival of Puri. Marking its 11th consecutive year of service, the Foundation has already provided more than 10 lakh freshly cooked, nutritious, and hygienic meals to devotees from the day of Nabajouban Darshan on June 26, 2025, and aims to serve over 20 lakh meals by the auspicious occasion of Sunabesha on July 6.
To effectively reach the maximum number of pilgrims, the Foundation has established two large food distribution points — one near Puri Railway Station and the other at the bus stand adjacent to the Gundicha Temple. These strategically located stalls are distributing traditional Odia meals comprising rice, dalma (a lentil and vegetable dish), and khata (a tangy chutney), reflecting both cultural essence and nutritional value. All meals are being prepared under strict hygienic conditions and served with warmth and humility, resonating with the sanctity of the spiritual event.
More than 150 volunteers and support staff have been working tirelessly in coordinated shifts to ensure smooth operations, from cooking and transportation to systematic distribution. Their selfless service is enabling thousands of devotees to receive wholesome meals as they participate in the divine festivities.
The stall near the Gundicha Temple bus stand was inaugurated by Dr. Sambit Patra, Member of Parliament (Puri), who commended the initiative by saying, “The Jindal Foundation’s tireless service to lakhs of pilgrims embodies the true spirit of Indian culture — where serving people is equated with serving the Divine. Their consistency over 11 years is truly commendable.” The second stall, located near the Puri Railway Station, was inaugurated by Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) D.K. Behera, in the presence of Senior SDM Anil Kumar and other senior officials of the East Coast Railway. ADRM Behera praised the Foundation’s efforts, highlighting the seamless coordination, hygiene, and compassion with which services are being provided to the devotees, adding that the pilgrims feel genuinely cared for upon arrival in Puri.
Speaking on the Foundation’s ongoing commitment, Shallu Jindal, Chairperson of the Jindal Foundation, said, “It is our humble endeavour that no devotee should go hungry while on their spiritual journey to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. For 11 years, this mission has been our privilege and blessing.” The initiative is inspired by the vision of Shri Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power, under whose leadership the Foundation has been consistently supporting the Rath Yatra festival since 2015.
In addition to the meal services, the Jindal Foundation has undertaken several other supportive initiatives to aid devotees and service personnel. It has distributed 10,000 oral rehydration solution (ORS) sachets to ensure hydration among the pilgrims, and provided 600 raincoats to frontline service providers of the district administration. To meet the demand for drinking water, three mobile chilled water units, each with a capacity of 1,000 litres, have been deployed across key areas. Moreover, the Foundation has supplied 50 bio-toilets to the district administration, thereby enhancing sanitation and public convenience during the massive congregation.
Through its extensive and compassionate outreach, the Jindal Foundation continues to uphold its values of service, dignity, and devotion — making a meaningful contribution to one of India’s most cherished spiritual traditions.
