Tata Steel Foundation Empowers Communities with “UDAAN 2024” Program in Berhampur
Bureau, Odishabarta, Berhampur (23-02-2024): Under Jyoti Fellowship, scholarship worth Rs. 49.41 lakh offered to 544 meritorious SC/ST students, About 300 women, SHG members and adolescents’ girls from periphery villages attend workshop
Berhampur, FebruTata Steel Foundation (TSF) has launched a two-day program, “UDAAN 2024,” on February 23, 2024 at Biju Pattnaik Sanskruti Bhavan Auditorium in Berhampur. Themed “Building a Culture of Climate Resilience through Disaster Risk Reduction,” the event focused on empowering youth, women, and farmers.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Brigadier Inderjit Singh Panjrath, Commandant, Sena Medal, Army Air Defence College, Gopalpur, as the chief guest, along with guest of honour, Manikant Naik, Managing Director, Tata Steel Special Economic Zone.
Dignitaries including Col. Anand Tanti, Director, ARO, Gopalpur, Asst.Com. Dhananjaya Kumar Mishra, Indian Coast Guard, Gopalpur and Com. Vikram Paul also graced the program.
On this occasion, 544 meritorious students were rewarded the Jyoti Fellowship, worth Rs. 49.41 lakhs. The ‘Jyoti Fellowship’ aims to enable students from economically backward SC/ST families to achieve their educational and career aspirations.
Congratulating the students, Manikanta Naik, Managing Director of Tata Steel Special Economic Zone, said that they should strive hard in their studies and bring laurels to their family and nation. He added that Tata Steel is committed to supporting the inclusive growth of the region and will continue to provide opportunities for the community.
Rocky Martin, Head TSF, Gopalpur, elaborated on the essence and impact of UDAAN 2024: “We organize UDAAN annually as a cornerstone of our community engagement initiatives, bringing together youth, women, and farmers in a shared space of growth and learning. This platform is not just about sharing experiences; it’s a lifeline for those in our community who face barriers to education and opportunity. Today, we have extended scholarships to children from 80 plus schools of Ganjam district, who are mostly from the marginalised sections of our society.”
The event also brought together 300 women Self-Help Group (SHG) members and adolescent girls from peripheral villages for workshops on enterprise development, women’s rights, leadership development, and gender mainstreaming through TSF’s flagship program, DISHA. Entrepreneurs and social activists facilitated discussions and focused on developing a roadmap for women’s development.
Thanking Tata Steel Foundation for the initiative, Smt. Sanghamitra Dalei, Mayor of Berhampur Municipal Corporation, urged women to make the best use of the various training programs being provided by TSF. She also advised them to be vigilant about their rights and to avail themselves of various schemes meant for them by the Government of Odisha.
During the second session of the first day, other than Smt. Sanghamitra Dalei, Mrs. Anjali Swain, President of Zila Parisahd, Dr. Reena Rautaray, Social Scientist, Chairperson of Mahila Atmnirbhar Abhiyan, Ms. Bratati Harichandan, Chairperson of the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Odisha, also addressed the gathering. The program also included an interactive session on enterprise development and the role of women in SHGs, led by Ms. Preethi Maria Pattnaik, Edupreneur from The Book Turf Library, Bhubaneswar.
The two-day program will conclude on Saturday with a farmer-scientist interface focusing on promoting climate-resilient agriculture.
