Odisha : In an effort to promote women’s empowerment and sustainable growth, the Jindal Foundation, the CSR division of Jindal Steel and Power (JSP), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster Foundation (BCKIC) to establish an LED bulb production unit in Deojhar panchayat of Barbil, Keonjhar district, Odisha.

As part of the Jindal Foundation’s “Women and Livelihood” initiative, this pilot project will provide women from nearby villages with essential training in LED bulb manufacturing, equipping them with valuable production skills. The project aims to expand in the future to further support economic empowerment and skill development for women.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Mrutyunjay Suar, Chairman of BCKIC, and Vargil Lakra, GM-CSR of Jindal Foundation, at JSP’s Barbil Pellet Plant. Senior officials, including Purushotham MD, Unit Head, and Ashish Ranjan Mohanty, Head HR & ES, as well as the participating women, attended the ceremony.

Prashant Kumar Hota, President and Group Head of CSR and Education, emphasized that the initiative will focus on facility setup, skill development, and establishing forward linkages for marketing. He highlighted the project’s potential for generating consistent income for women while building skills in negotiation and decision-making. “This initiative seeks to foster equitable growth in the predominantly tribal areas of Joda, Barbil, and Deojhar,” he noted, adding that the growing demand for energy-efficient bulbs aligns with the project’s goal of establishing an eco-friendly, sustainable business model for lasting community impact.

Through various Women and Livelihood programs such as Jindal Asha, Kishori Express, Yashasvi, and Jan Jeevika Kendra, the Jindal Foundation has positively impacted over 5 million women and girls across India.