THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

SUKINDA, JANUARY 28, 2026

Reinforcing its deep-rooted commitment to inclusive education and community development, Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) on Wednesday inaugurated the 9th edition of ‘Arunima’, its flagship community engagement programme, at Sukinda College. The three-day annual initiative, running from January 28 to 30, brings together youth, women and farmers from across the Jajpur region to celebrate learning, leadership and sustainable livelihoods.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Odisha’s Cooperation, Handlooms and Textiles Minister Dr Pradeep Bal Samanta, who felicitated over 300 meritorious SC/ST students with the prestigious Jyoti Fellowship. The event also saw the presence of eminent dignitaries including Shubhranshu Puhan, Block Education Officer, Danagadi, and Subhash Chandra Rout, a teacher honoured by the President of India, alongside senior leaders from Tata Steel and Tata Steel Foundation.

Speaking at the programme, Dr Bal Samanta lauded the Foundation’s sustained efforts in strengthening education and grassroots development. He said it was encouraging to see initiatives like Arunima creating meaningful last-mile connections and nurturing aspirations among students and communities in the Jajpur ecosystem. Expressing optimism, he said he looked forward to many more years of the programme and the Foundation’s continued contribution to community well-being.

Echoing these sentiments, Debanjan Mukherjee, Cluster Head, Tata Steel Foundation – Kalinganagar, highlighted the transformative impact of Arunima over the past nine years. He said the platform has consistently identified and supported meritorious youth through the Jyoti Fellowship, enabling them to pursue higher education, become academically aware and grow into socially responsible citizens, while amplifying the voices of students from the last mile.

The programme commenced with an Education Conclave on January 28, marking the felicitation of more than 300 students from economically weaker backgrounds. The Jyoti Fellowship recognises academic excellence and provides crucial financial support to help students continue their higher education journeys with confidence and dignity.

Between 2021 and 2026, the Jyoti Fellowship has supported as many as 10,471 meritorious students across Bamnipal, Sukinda and Kalinganagar, including 6,456 girls. The initiative spans three districts, six blocks, 100 Gram Panchayats, 179 schools and 24 colleges, underscoring its expansive reach and impact.

As part of Arunima, a Women’s Conclave will be held on January 29, bringing together Disha women from the Keonjhar–Sukinda ecosystem to deliberate on women’s leadership, empowerment and community-led water initiatives. The programme will conclude on January 30 with an Agriculture Conclave, where farmers will engage with experts on Integrated Farming Systems and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Senior leaders present at the inaugural event included Sushanta Kumar Mishra, Executive-in-Charge, Ferro Alloys & Minerals Division, Tata Steel; Debdoot Mohanty, Chief, Corporate Services, Tata Steel Kalinganagar; Prashant Nanda, Chief Human Resource Officer, Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited; V. Sridevi, Chief Ethics Counsellor, Tata Steel Foundation; Jiren Topno, Head, Tribal Identity and Urban Services, Tata Steel Foundation; and Debanjan Mukherjee, Cluster Head, Tata Steel Foundation, Kalinganagar.

Since its inception in 2017, Arunima has engaged over 5,000 community members, steadily evolving into a powerful platform that celebrates education, inclusion and sustainable development at the grassroots.