The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
JODA/BARBIL, JUNE 8, 2025
“The National Flag represents unity, dignity, and the collective aspirations of our nation. It is a source of immense pride for every Indian,” said Shri Naveen Jindal—Member of Parliament from Kurukshetra, President of the Flag Foundation of India, and Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power (JSP)—while inaugurating a 72-foot monumental flagpole at the Kasia Iron and Dolomite Mines in Keonjhar, Odisha. The towering flagpole now proudly flies a 16 x 24-foot Tricolour, symbolizing national pride and the spirit of regional identity.
In a solemn gesture, Jindal invoked the blessings of Maa Tarini, the revered deity of Keonjhar, and Mahaprabhu Shri Baladev Jew, praying for the prosperity of the local community. Paying homage to local freedom fighters such as Dharanidhar Bhuyan, Dharanidhar Nayak, Ratna Nayak, and Madan Patnaik, he acknowledged Keonjhar’s pivotal role in India’s independence movement. He also expressed pride in the fact that Keonjhar is both the birthplace and karma bhoomi of Odisha’s present Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi.
“Odisha is my karma bhoomi,” Jindal said, reaffirming his family’s deep commitment to preserving the state’s rich art, culture, and heritage. “Through the Jindal Foundation, we are working tirelessly to uplift lives by focusing on critical areas such as health, education, nutrition, sanitation, drinking water, and micro-enterprise development.” He also urged underprivileged girl students to take advantage of the Yashasvi Programme, which offers access to higher education.
“We are honoured to dedicate this monumental flag to the people of Barbil, Kasia, and Keonjhar. May it serve as a lasting source of inspiration, encouraging generations to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress,” he added.
Prominent social worker and former Sarpanch K.B. Palai praised JSP’s sustained efforts in fostering holistic regional development. He lauded the company’s contributions to community welfare—spanning agriculture, healthcare, education, culture, and sports—and expressed optimism about JSP’s continued role in improving Odisha’s Human Development Index.
Naveen Jindal is widely recognized for leading a decade-long legal battle that culminated in a landmark 2004 Supreme Court judgment, granting every Indian the right to hoist the National Flag with dignity on any day of the year — a moment regarded as a modern-day freedom struggle.
Under his visionary leadership, the Flag Foundation of India launched a nationwide campaign in 2009 to install monumental flag masts across the country. So far, 175 such flags have been installed at prominent locations, including nine in Odisha, bolstering national pride and civic engagement.
The event was coordinated by Prashant Hota, President & Group Head, CSR and Education, JSP, with support from the Corporate Communications and CSR teams, along with the Flag Foundation of India.
Pramod Kumar Patra, Unit Head of Kasia Mines, delivered the vote of thanks. He highlighted Kasia’s critical role in generating regional employment and development and expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, attendees, and members of the JSP family.
Also present were senior JSP executives including Gautam Malhotra, Rajesh Nair, Ashok Mahunta, and Ashish Pandey, along with respected community leaders Madan Behera and Purna Chandra Mahakud, who actively participated in the flag installation ceremony.
“It is a historic moment in my life to witness the Tiranga Utsav and see Shri Naveen Jindal in person. We truly admire his contributions to quality education and skill development in India,” said Priya Munda, a Class IX student from a local school.
