Bhubaneswar- Continuing a tradition rooted in service and devotion, the Jindal Foundation, the social responsibility wing of Jindal Steel & Power, has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to community welfare by actively participating in the Puri Rath Yatra for the 11th consecutive year. This year’s initiative has already seen more than 10 lakh freshly prepared, nutritious meals served to the sea of devotees arriving in Puri, and the Foundation aims to cross 20 lakh meals by the culmination of the festivities on the sacred day of Sunabesha.
To ensure wide and seamless service, the Foundation has established two major food distribution centres — one near the Puri Railway Station and another adjacent to the Gundicha Temple bus stand. These locations were carefully selected to ensure that the maximum number of pilgrims, arriving from across the country, could be served quickly and respectfully. Devotees were offered traditional Odia meals consisting of rice, dalma, and khata — a culinary offering that is both healthy and deeply symbolic of the local heritage. Every meal was prepared under strict hygiene standards and served with humility by a dedicated team of over 150 volunteers and staff, who worked in shifts to maintain continuous service.
The stall near the Gundicha Temple bus stand was inaugurated by Puri MP Dr. Sambit Patra, who praised the Foundation’s decade-long dedication to serving pilgrims. He lauded the initiative as a reflection of the Indian ethos, where selfless service to pilgrims is equated with serving the Divine. At the same time, the stall near the railway station was inaugurated by Additional Divisional Railway Manager Shri D.K. Behera, accompanied by Senior SDM Shri Anil Kumar and other railway officials. Shri Behera commended the scale and efficiency of the Foundation’s food distribution system, noting how it offered both physical nourishment and emotional comfort to arriving devotees.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Smt Shallu Jindal, Chairperson of Jindal Foundation, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve during such a spiritually uplifting time. She emphasized that the goal has always been to ensure that no one goes hungry while seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath. The initiative, she said, is a deeply fulfilling mission inspired by the values instilled by Shri Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power.
The Foundation’s services commenced on June 26, 2025, the day of Nabajouban Darshan, and will continue until July 6, 2025, the day of Sunabesha. In addition to its massive meal service, the Foundation has undertaken several other welfare measures to enhance the experience and safety of pilgrims. Ten thousand ORS sachets were distributed to prevent dehydration, while 600 raincoats were provided to frontline staff of the district administration. For the devotees’ access to clean water, three mobile chilled water tankers, each with 1,000-litre capacity, have been deployed. The Foundation has also contributed 50 bio-toilets to support public sanitation needs during the large gathering.
As the sacred wheels of the Rath Yatra roll through the streets of Puri, Jindal Foundation continues to serve as a symbol of compassionate service, ensuring that the spirit of devotion is upheld not just through rituals, but also through thoughtful and humane action.
