Jamshedpur, December 29, 2025: Tata Steel Foundation was recognised by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, for its sustained and impactful contribution to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of the Ol Chiki script and the Santali language across multiple states in the country.

The recognition was conferred during a special function commemorating the 100 years of the Ol Chiki script, organised as part of the 22nd Santali “Parsi Maha” celebrations under the aegis of the All India Santali Writers’ Association (AISWA). Tata Steel Foundation was among a limited set of community-based institutions and individuals selected for their consistent work in strengthening Santali language, literature and cultural identity.

The function was graced by Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Hon’ble President of India, as Chief Guest, along with Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Hon’ble Governor of Jharkhand, and Shri Hemant Soren, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jharkhand, and was attended by D B Sundara Ramam, Director, Tata Steel Foundation, and Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Steel Foundation, who represented the Foundation at the ceremony.

At the ceremony, Tata Steel Foundation was presented with the Ol Chiki Centenary Award, recognising its outstanding dedication and contribution to the promotion, preservation, and development of the Ol Chiki script, while honouring the legacy of Pandit Raghunath Murmu, the creator of the script. The award was received on behalf of the Foundation by D B Sundara Ramam, Director, and Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Steel Foundation. During the ceremony, the Hon’ble President conferred awards on 12 individuals, and following the main function, the Foundation also facilitated the recognition of more than 60 individuals for their notable contributions to the promotion of Santali language.

Speaking on the occasion, Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Steel Foundation, said, “This recognition affirms the collective effort behind the work—of our teams who have remained committed over the years and of the Santhal community whose engagement has kept the language alive in everyday practice. Receiving the Ol Chiki Centenary Award is especially meaningful as it marks a journey that has grown in depth and reach alongside community aspirations. The award reinforces our resolve to strengthen intergenerational transmission of Ol Chiki and adds momentum to our broader endeavour of preserving and promoting tribal languages across our operating locations.”

Tata Steel Foundation’s engagement with Ol Chiki education began in 2011 and has, over the last 14 years, expanded steadily through close collaboration with partner organisations. Learner mobilisation is undertaken through Gram Sabhas and School Management Committees, ensuring strong community ownership and participation. Today, the initiative spans 966 learning centres across five states—Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Assam—reaching over 45,000 language learners in total, of which more than 20,000 are learners of Santali through the Ol Chiki script.

This recognition stands as a testament to the sustained work of Tata Steel Foundation’s tribal identity teams, who operate in challenging field contexts and continue to partner closely with communities to safeguard indigenous knowledge systems, language, and cultural expression.

About Tata Steel Foundation:

In order to recognise the shifts that will govern the next decade in the development space and to take forward our ambition of emerging as a thought leader, the Tata Steel Foundation – a section 8 Company – was established in 2016. With over 1,500 members spread over ten units and six states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab, the Foundation is a community development implementing organisation focused upon co-creating solutions with tribal and excluded communities in order to address their development challenges. In FY25, the Foundation reached 6.3 million lives through its consolidated programme portfolio effectively positioned under Impact Pathways on Public Health, Education, Livelihoods, Gender and Community Enterprise, Infrastructure and Tribal Identity, at a commitment of 582.27 crores. It is committed towards playing a larger role in India’s sustainable development as roadmap to achieving its vision to create ‘an enlightened and equitable society where every individual realizes her potential with dignity’.

For more information, pls connect with

Shuvra R, Communications, Tata Steel Foundation
E-mail : r.shuvra@tatasteelfoundation.org

Disclaimer

Statements in this press release describing the Company’s performance may be “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those directly or indirectly expressed, inferred or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include, among others, adverse communitarian situation in the geographies which the company operates in, changes in or due to the environment, Government regulations, laws, statutes, judicial pronouncements and/ or other incidental factors.

Photographs: Management and Plant facilities

Logos: Files and usage guidelines 

Website: www.tatasteel.com

Follow us on