The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
ANGUL, FEBRUARY 6, 2025
The Jindal Foundation celebrated National Girl Child Day with a series of impactful events aimed at promoting gender equality, recognizing the contributions of girls to society, and empowering them to overcome societal challenges. The week-long celebrations were organized in collaboration with the Zilla Swasthya Samiti, District Child Protection Unit, and ICDS.
As part of the initiative, an awareness tableau was launched to spread the message of gender equality, particularly in areas with low sex ratios. The tableau, flagged off by ADM (General) Pratap Pritimay and ADM (Revenue) Uday Mohapatra, featured audio-visual tools, banners, and informative content to educate communities about the value of the girl child. Addressing the event, ADM (Revenue) Uday Mohapatra lauded the initiative, saying, “Investing in the girl child is investing in our future.”
A mass rally with participation from school and college students further amplified the message, with hoardings, leaflets, and banners distributed to the public. Traditional folk performances like Pala and dramatic enactments were also organized to highlight legal protections and rights for girls.
A sensitization meeting chaired by CDM & PHO Dr. Shibanand Mohanty brought together key dignitaries, including DCPO Gourishankar Behera, ADPHO (FW) Dr. Antaryami Mishra, ADPHO (Vector Borne) Dr. Poornima Ugdata, DSWO Nirupama Pani, and OB-GYN specialist Dr. Sujata Das. The speakers underscored the importance of education, healthcare, and community participation in uplifting girls and securing their rights.
Speaking on the occasion, Shallu Jindal, Chairperson of Jindal Foundation & Chancellor of OP Jindal University, emphasized the significance of empowering girls for national progress. “Empowering the girl child is the best and wisest option a nation could have in empowering itself. Through our multi-dimensional holistic development programs, we are promoting girls’ education, sustainable livelihoods, sports, and healthcare — expanding the horizon of equitable and inclusive development in India.”
The Jindal Foundation has been actively working to prevent child marriages by spreading awareness and advocating for girls’ education. Its flagship Kishori Express Program, launched in 2011, has helped 2.7 lakh girls combat anaemia, while the Yashasvi Scholarship Program has enabled over 11,000 girls to pursue education. Additionally, the Foundation continues to promote maternal health by ensuring reproductive rights and access to essential healthcare services.
Through these sustained efforts, the Jindal Foundation reaffirms its commitment to fostering a society where every girl has the opportunity to thrive, contribute, and lead.
