‘HO’, the rich tribal language of Jharkhand is finding place in schools of Jharkhand. Tata Steel in its endeavor to preserve and promote ‘HO’ language, today launched ‘HO’ classes for the students of Camp School at Noamundi.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Laxmi Soren, West Singbhum Zila Parishad Member said: “Thanks to Tata Steel for giving importance to ‘HO’ language. We`ll provide full support to this initiative. Many girls in Camp School know how to speak ‘HO’, but fail to write in the language. This is a good initiative by Tata Steel to promote the language.”

Lessons in HO will be conducted for the Camp School girls during weekend by a teacher from Ho Sabha, Chaibasa. The Camp School at Noamundi has been set-up to enhance the educational interests of the school drop-out girls residing in core tribal villages of Noamundi. Today 100 girls are studying in the Camp School at Noamundi. After completion of the ten-month bridge course, almost 100% girls are inducted into formal schools – Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya or other government schools – in respective villages.  

It may be noted that Tata Steel has been working to create awareness on tribal languages. It has organised several events like workshops, seminars and learning sessions of ‘HO’ language. In Jharkhand, ‘HO’ tribe accounts for a sizeable tribal population. ‘Warang Kshiti’ is the script of the ‘HO’ language. As part of its effort to promote tribal languages, especially among the new generation, the company has been running ‘HO’ language learning centres since 2011 in three districts of Kolhan region—East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan. About 6,000 candidates underwent ‘HO’ language and script training at these centres. In addition, the company constituted a team to offer systematized and step-by-step learning of Warang Kshiti. A team of 190 people, including academicians, language experts and others, were trained on adopting the teaching approaches and methodologies that are in accordance with a three-tier course module for Warang Kshiti. The three-tier course module aims to cater to Warang Kshiti learners at three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.  

About Tata Steel

Tata Steel Group stands among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 28 million tonnes per annum (MnTPA) and a turnover of US $17.69 billion in FY16. It is the world's second-most geographically-diversified steel producer, with operations in 26 countries and commercial presence in over 50 countries. Established in 1907, the Group’s vision is to be the world steel industry benchmark in “Value Creation” and “Corporate Citizenship” through the excellence of its people, its innovative approach and overall conduct. Underpinning this vision is a performance culture committed to aspiration targets, safety and social responsibility, continuous improvement, openness and transparency.

Having bagged the Deming Application Prize and Deming Grand Prize for continuous improvement in 2008 and 2012 respectively, Tata Steel has now been recognised as the global ‘Industry Leader’ in ‘Steel category’ by Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Besides being one of ‘worldsteel’s’ Climate Action members, it has also been awarded the CII ITC Sustainability Prize, the ‘Best-in-class Manufacturing’ by TIME Award, the Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant, among several others.