Jamshedpur,: Tata Steel Foundation was recognised by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, for its sustained and impactful contribution to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of the Ol Chiki script and the Santali language across multiple states in the country.
The recognition was conferred during a special function commemorating the 100 years of the Ol Chiki script, organised as part of the 22nd Santali “Parsi Maha” celebrations under the aegis of the All India Santali Writers’ Association (AISWA). Tata Steel Foundation was among a limited set of community-based institutions and individuals selected for their consistent work in strengthening Santali language, literature and cultural identity.
The function was graced by Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Hon’ble President of India, as Chief Guest, along with Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Hon’ble Governor of Jharkhand, and Shri Hemant Soren, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jharkhand, and was attended by D B Sundara Ramam, Director, Tata Steel Foundation, and Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Steel Foundation, who represented the Foundation at the ceremony.
At the ceremony, Tata Steel Foundation was presented with the Ol Chiki Centenary Award, recognising its outstanding dedication and contribution to the promotion, preservation, and development of the Ol Chiki script, while honouring the legacy of Pandit Raghunath Murmu, the creator of the script. The award was received on behalf of the Foundation by D B Sundara Ramam, Director, and Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Steel Foundation. During the ceremony, the Hon’ble President conferred awards on 12 individuals, and following the main function, the Foundation also facilitated the recognition of more than 60 individuals for their notable contributions to the promotion of Santali language.
Speaking on the occasion, Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Steel Foundation, said,
“This recognition affirms the collective effort behind the work—of our teams who have remained committed over the years and of the Santhal community whose engagement has kept the language alive in everyday practice. Receiving the Ol Chiki Centenary Award is especially meaningful as it marks a journey that has grown in depth and reach alongside community aspirations. The award reinforces our resolve to strengthen intergenerational transmission of Ol Chiki and adds momentum to our broader endeavour of preserving and promoting tribal languages across our operating locations.”
Tata Steel Foundation’s engagement with Ol Chiki education began in 2011 and has, over the last 14 years, expanded steadily through close collaboration with partner organisations. Learner mobilisation is undertaken through Gram Sabhas and School Management Committees, ensuring strong community ownership and participation. Today, the initiative spans 966 learning centres across five states—Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Assam—reaching over 45,000 language learners in total, of which more than 20,000 are learners of Santali through the Ol Chiki script.
This recognition stands as a testament to the sustained work of Tata Steel Foundation’s tribal identity teams, who operate in challenging field contexts and continue to partner closely with communities to safeguard indigenous knowledge systems, language, and cultural expression.
