Jagatsinghpur (Odisha Tazanews) :- ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), in collaboration with Humana, marked National Girl Child Day with a week-long series of celebratory and educational events. The celebrations that took place across 16 Anganwadi centres in the Jagatsinghpur district was organised under AM/NS India’s CSR project ‘Padhega Bharat’ as part of its Smart Anganwadi Initiative.
The initiative aimed to spread joy while bringing critical focus to the welfare and education of the girl child. The week-long celebrations engaged adolescent girls, women groups and children from the local communities in various competitions designed to showcase their talent and skills such as Rangoli, Mehendi and Drawing Competitions. Awareness marches were organised, with resonant slogans echoing the call for a brighter future for girls and the vital importance of gender equality. Participants were awarded with attractive prizes to build confidence and encourage continued participation.
Dr. Vikas Yadvendu, Head – Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), AM/NS India, said, “At AM/NS India, we believe that empowering a girl child is the foundation of a progressive society. Through our ‘Smart Anganwadi’ initiative under Project ‘Padhega Bharat,’ we are not just celebrating a day but building a sustainable ecosystem where every girl has the confidence to achieve her dreams.” The event concluded with a shared pledge among community members and Anganwadi workers to continue working toward a safe and inclusive environment for every girl in the district.
The company’s commitment to education, empowerment and well-being of the girl child extends well beyond annual celebrations. With year-round initiatives under the Padhega Bharat project, monthly Adolescent Girls Group Meetings are conducted, currently engaging 333 girls across 25 Anganwadi centres. These sessions act as an important support system that help build awareness on key aspects such as menstrual health and hygiene, importance of nutrition and balanced diets, and soft skills and life-skills training.
