The 8th edition of Arunima 2026 witnessed a major boost to educational empowerment as 633 meritorious students from economically disadvantaged Scheduled Caste families were awarded the prestigious Jyoti Fellowship at Berhampur University in Berhampur, Odisha. The flagship initiative of Tata Steel Foundation marked a significant step toward strengthening access to education and inclusive development in the region.

Organised by the foundation’s Gopalpur Unit, the two day conclave served as a comprehensive platform promoting education, youth leadership, women empowerment and sustainable livelihood opportunities across its operational villages. The event brought together students, women leaders, farmers, subject matter experts and local public representatives for interactive discussions and knowledge sharing sessions aimed at fostering community resilience and long term development.

Prominent dignitaries attended the programme, including Chhatrapur MLA Krushna Chandra Nayak and Chhatrapur Notified Area Council chairman Sarmistha Pradhan. The conclave also saw participation from Padma Shri awardees Patayat Sahu, Dr Sabarmatee and Simanchal Patra. Academic and technical experts such as Dr Biswa Ranjan Pradhan, Project Scientist at IIT Bhubaneswar, Dr Gobinda Chandra Acharya from the Central Horticultural Experiment Station in Bhubaneswar, and District Fisheries Officer Ganjam Bharat Bhusan Sahoo contributed to the technical deliberations. Raimati Ghiuria, widely known as the Millet Queen from Koraput, also participated and shared her grassroots experiences.

Senior officials including Rakesh Kumar Patro, Head of Corporate Services at Tata Steel Special Economic Zone Limited, and Dr Jayant Kumar Tripathy, Unit Lead for Tata Steel Foundation Gopalpur, were present during the event.

A central theme of Arunima 2026 was livelihood enhancement and strengthening community resilience. The programme engaged 538 farmers in detailed discussions on diversified, climate resilient and market oriented agricultural practices aimed at improving productivity and income sustainability. In parallel, 345 women leaders from foundation supported villages took part in dedicated sessions focusing on leadership development, gender mainstreaming, entrepreneurship and the creation of dignified and sustainable income opportunities for women.

The conclave also celebrated grassroots changemakers who have contributed to social transformation. Five Youth Change Makers were felicitated for their impactful initiatives in preventing child marriage, spreading menstrual hygiene awareness and promoting adolescent education. Additionally, 30 progressive farmers were recognised for enhancing their incomes through innovative agricultural practices and allied activities.

Another key highlight was the launch of new Information Education and Communication materials centred on organic input production and sustainable farming techniques. These resources are designed to improve soil health, reduce dependence on chemical inputs and enhance overall farm profitability. Technical sessions conducted during the programme covered natural farming methods, herbal plantations, probiotic crop practices, natural resource management and awareness on government fisheries schemes, according to a company release.

Arunima 2026 at Berhampur reinforced Tata Steel Foundation’s commitment to inclusive growth in Odisha by integrating education support through the Jyoti Fellowship with initiatives in women empowerment, sustainable agriculture and youth leadership, creating a holistic model for rural transformation and community development.