THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

JAGATSINGHPUR, JANUARY 28, 2026

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), in collaboration with Humana, commemorated National Girl Child Day with a vibrant week-long programme of celebrations and awareness activities across 16 Anganwadi centres in the Jagatsinghpur district. Organised under AM/NS India’s flagship CSR project ‘Padhega Bharat’, the initiative formed a key part of its Smart Anganwadi programme, reinforcing the company’s commitment to education, equality and holistic development of the girl child.

The celebrations were thoughtfully designed to spread joy while drawing focused attention to the welfare, education and empowerment of girls. Adolescent girls, women’s groups and young children from surrounding communities actively participated in a range of creative and skill-based competitions, including Rangoli, Mehendi and drawing contests, providing a platform for self-expression and confidence-building. Awareness marches added a powerful dimension to the programme, with spirited slogans resonating through the villages and amplifying the message of gender equality and a brighter, more inclusive future for girls.

To encourage participation and recognise talent, winners were felicitated with attractive prizes, helping boost self-esteem and motivating continued engagement. The inclusive nature of the celebrations fostered a sense of community ownership and collective responsibility toward nurturing and protecting the rights of the girl child.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vikas Yadvendu, Head – Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), AM/NS India, said, “At AM/NS India, we believe that empowering the girl child is the cornerstone of a progressive and equitable society. Through our Smart Anganwadi initiative under Project Padhega Bharat, we are not merely observing a day, but steadily building a sustainable ecosystem where every girl is equipped with the confidence, knowledge and opportunities to realise her dreams.”

The programme concluded on a meaningful note with community members and Anganwadi workers coming together to take a collective pledge to continue working towards creating a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment for every girl in the district.

AM/NS India’s commitment to the education, empowerment and well-being of the girl child extends far beyond annual observances. Through sustained, year-round interventions under the Padhega Bharat project, the company conducts monthly Adolescent Girls Group Meetings that currently engage 333 girls across 25 Anganwadi centres. These sessions serve as a vital support system, creating awareness on critical issues such as menstrual health and hygiene, the importance of nutrition and balanced diets, along with soft skills and life-skills training, thereby laying a strong foundation for confident, informed and empowered young women.