Kalinganagar: The fifth edition of Arunima, a three-day programme hosted by Tata Steel Foundation, kicked off here today. The event, hosted online this year, provides a one-stop platform to communities proximate to Tata Steel’s Sukinda, Bamnipal and Kalinganagar operations, to recognise their efforts and apprise the community on the growth journey that the region has ventured on. Arunima is a community-based event that lays emphasis on the co-creation of solutions and meaningful dialogue between communities around the Tata Steel Kalinganagar ecosystem.
The theme for Arunima this year is based on a strong felt need to focus on Water in the ecosystem and is also inspired by the United Nations’ mission of declaring 2018-28 as the Water Action Decade. Arunima comprises three key components – the Jyoti Fellowship, an agriculture meet for farmers and women entrepreneurs, and a youth conclave.
The inaugural day commenced with the Jyoti Fellowship ceremony where a total of 503 meritorious students from economically weaker SC/ST families of Odisha were recognised for their dedication and talent. The Jyoti Fellowship is part of Tata Steel’s Affirmative Action Policy that looks at addressing gaps in the field of education. For over 30 years, Tata Steel has been extending financial support in the form of Fellowships to deserving school and college students across communities. Of the students awarded the Jyoti Fellowship this year, 236 students are from Kalinganagar, 166 from Bamnipal and 101 from Sukinda. Fellowship amounting to Rs 31.1 lakh was disbursed to students this year.
The programme was inaugurated by Mr R R Satpathy, GM (Corporate Services), Tata Steel Kalinganagar. “Education is a great game changer and with the help of education one can enhance the development process,” he said.
Mr Santosh Kumar Mishra, ADM, Kalinganagar also graced the occasion and appreciated the efforts of Tata Steel to create awareness on conservation of water.
Mr Ambika Prasad Nanda, Head, CSR, Odisha, said: “Since last year, we have recalibrated our approach to focus on a concerted and sustainable approach towards water-related issues. Taking the conversation forward this year, we aim to bring the community together to discuss and come up with sustainable solutions to various issues related to water.”
To ensure maximum participation of students as well as their parents and teachers, centers were set up at various locations from where they could connect and engage on digital platforms.
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