~Tata Steel’s initiative to provide financial aid to meritorious tribal students moves another milestone~

Tata Steel awarded the Jyoti Fellowship and Moodie Endowment scholarships to meritorious SC/ ST students at a ceremony held at Michael John Auditorium today. Crossing another milestone in supporting education, the Jyoti Fellowship was awarded to a total of 308 students while 120 students received the Moodie Endowment scholarship.

The Jyoti Fellowship, in vogue since 1970s and christened only in 2003-04, extends financial support to deserving students from East Singbhum, West Singbhum and Seraikela districts of Jharkhand. It has become an intrinsic part of Tata Steel ever since the Company embraced the Affirmative Action Policy in 2006. Students from Inter, Degree, P G (general streams), LLB, B Ed, Polytechnic, Hotel Management, MBA, Masters in RD/Social Work, Agriculture and Forestry are selected after a rigorous screening process. This year the total amount awarded as part of Jyoti Fellowship is Rs 16,73,500/-, whereby students have been awarded scholarship money between Rs 3500 and Rs 25,000/-, based on their criteria and eligibility.

The Moodie Endowment, funded by Mr Finlay Moodie and Mrs Sheila Ann Moodie of Great Britain, extends support to students from Purulia, Bankura and Midnapur districts of West Bengal as well. This scholarship is extended to students from Medical, Engineering, MCA, Polytechnic, Microbiology and Biotechnology streams in different levels as Diploma level - Rs.8000/-, Degree - Rs.12000/- and P.G – Rs 12000/- 15000/-.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Bimlendra Jha, Vice President (Long Products), Tata Steel, said, "Tata Steel's mantra of creating a difference in society needs to be carried forward by all awardees of today as well. Each of them should strive to create such an impact in society which shall urge many others like them to put in the best of efforts and be benefitted by these awards." Reiterating his statement, Mr Rakeshwar Pandey, President, Tribal Culture Society Employee Union said, "Looking at the need of the hour to educate our present generation, this is indeed a noble act on part of Tata Steel to extend financial aid to deserving candidates. Besides ensuring unhindered education for the awardees, this will also motivate others to follow suit."

Mr. Bhogla Soren, Sahitya Academy Awardee in Santhali Literature, reiterated Tata Steel's commitment and its Founder's dream for the city saying, "Tata Steel has molded the city and its peripheral areas and has been a key driving factor of growth and development of its people. The company's initiative towards recognizing and thereafter development of SC/ ST students is remarkable."

Tata Steel triggered the wave of industrialisation in India, when it started its operations in the state of Jharkhand, more than 100 years ago. It was based on the principals laid down by its Founder, J N Tata, that in a free enterprise, the community is not just another stakeholder in business, but is in fact, the very purpose of our existence. Following this ideal, Tata Steel has created benchmarks for tribal development and that of the communities in its operational areas.