Athagarh, March 8, 2026: Tata Steel Foundation’s Athagarh unit hosted a vibrant community event on the eve of International Women’s Day at the Dhurusia High School ground near Tata Steel’s Ferro Alloys Plant (FAP), Athagarh. The celebration witnessed the participation of around 200 women from neighbouring villages, showcasing the collective spirit of empowerment and progress.
As part of the occasion, Tata Steel Foundation felicitated women leaders from communities surrounding FAP Athagarh and the Power Plant, recognising their contributions and encouraging others to take on leadership roles.
Sushree Deepam Rout, Deputy Collector, Office of the Sub-Collector, Athagarh, graced the event as Chief Guest. In her address, she highlighted the pivotal role women play in shaping families, communities, and society. She urged the participants to continue striving for excellence and to uplift one another through collaboration and mutual support.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Padhy, Education Officer, Regional Directorate, Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education and Development (DTNBWED), Jamshedpur, delivered an insightful session on women empowerment. He encouraged women to actively participate in decision-making processes and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of their communities.
Natasha Jha, Head of FAP Athagarh, attended the programme as Guest and applauded the resilience and determination of women in the region. She reaffirmed Tata Steel’s commitment to creating opportunities that enable women to learn, grow, and lead across various spheres.
The gathering also featured insights from Akshay Bhatta, Block Project Manager, Odisha Livelihood Mission, Athagarh, who interacted with participants and shared information on government schemes that support Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs) in strengthening their livelihood initiatives.
The event was coordinated by Ashutosh Kumar Das, Unit Lead, Tata Steel Foundation, Athagarh.
As part of the celebrations, winners of competitions such as business idea contests, Pitha-making, and Rangoli were felicitated for their creativity and enthusiasm.
Adding to the inspiration, two women entrepreneurs—Kabita Sahoo, Secretary of Maa Tarini Shilpa Samavaya Samiti, Cuttack, and Nirlipta Ojha of Dharitri Udyan Pvt Ltd, Bhubaneswar—shared their entrepreneurial journeys. Their stories of perseverance, innovation, and self-belief motivated the participants to explore entrepreneurship and alternative livelihood pathways.
The event concluded with a collective message of unity, progress, and continued empowerment for women across the Athagarh region.
