Joda/Barbil: Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power (JSP) and president of Flag Foundation of India Naveen Jindal Sunday inaugurated a 72-ft monumental national flag pole at the Kasia Iron and Dolomite Mines in Keonjhar.
The towering mast now proudly holds a 16 x 24 ft tricolour, flying high as a powerful symbol of national pride and regional identity.
Jindal, who is a Lok Sabha MP, said, “We are honoured to dedicate this monumental flag to the people of Barbil, Kasia, and Keonjhar. It will serve as an enduring inspiration for generations to come to contribute to the nation’s progress.”
Invoking the divine blessings of Maa Tarini, the presiding deity of Keonjhar district, and Mahaprabhu Shri Baladev Jiu for the prosperity of the local community, Jindal remembered the sacrifices of local freedom fighters—Dharanidhar Bhuyan, Dharanidhar Nayak, Ratna Nayak, Madan Patnaik, and others—emphasizing the district’s legacy in India’s independence movement. He also mentioned with pride that Keonjhar is the birthplace and karma bhoomi of the present Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi.
Stating that Odisha is his ‘Karma Bhoomi’, the JSP chairman said, “Our family is a votary of Odisha’s art, culture, and heritage. Through its social arm, the Jindal Foundation, Jindal Steel will continue to contribute to improving the quality of life of the people in this region across various segments, health, education, nutrition, sanitation, drinking water, and the promotion of micro-enterprises.”
He urged underprivileged girl students to enrol in the Yashasvi Programme of the Jindal Foundation to pursue higher education.
.Prominent social worker and former Sarpanch, K.B. Palai, also addressed the gathering. He acknowledged JSP’s consistent efforts in the holistic development of Kasia, Keonjhar, and the broader region of Odisha. Highlighting the company’s initiatives in community welfare, agriculture, health, education, culture, and sports, he expressed hope that JSP would continue to enhance the Human Development Index in the region and across the state.
Jindal is widely recognized for his relentless 10-year-long legal battle that led to the historic Supreme Court judgment in 2004, which granted every Indian citizen the right to hoist the National Flag with dignity on any day of the year.
Under the visionary leadership of Naveen Jindal, the Flag Foundation of India launched a nationwide initiative in 2009 to install monumental National Flag masts at prominent locations across India. Since then, 175 monumental flags have been installed, including nine in Odisha—further strengthening the spirit of nationalism and public participation.
Prashant Hota, President and Group Head, CSR & Education, JSP, conducted the program with the support of the Corporate Communication and CSR teams, along with the Flag Foundation of India.
Pramod Kumar Patra, Unit Head of Kasia Mines, in his address underlined the role of Kasia Mines in regional development and employment generation.
Among the other dignitaries present were Madan Behera, Shri Purna Chandra Mahakud, and members of the senior management of the company, Gautam Malhotra, Rajesh Nair, Ashok Mahunta, and Ashish Pandey, who actively participated in the monumental flag installation event.
“It is a historic moment in my life to be part of this Tiranga Utsav and to see Shri Naveen Jindal in person, whose contributions to quality education and the skilling of India we are well aware of,” said Priya Munda, a Class IX student from the local school.
