Tata Steel Foundation launches Eye-Care Project ‘Drishti’ in Baliapal

Baliapal,: In a bid to make healthcare accsssebleandgenrtare awareness around preventable blindness, Tata Steel Foundation launched Project Drishti in Baliapal, for villagers around the proposed Subarnarekha Port in Balasore here on Friday.

A total number of 62 paitents attended the eye care health camp under the project and received free treatment. It was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr.DulalsenJagdev, Chief District Medical & Public Health Officer (CDMPHO), Balasore, Susanta Kumar Mishra, Executive Director, Subarnarekha Port Private Limited (SPPL) and Officials of community Health centres of Baliapal and Pratappur.

The ‘Drishti’ project focuses on raising awareness about cataracts and providing accessible healthcare to prevent blindness in remote rural and tribal communities. Special attention is being given to the elderly in 9 Gram Panchayats in Baliapal, where over 1,500 community members have been screened, and 214 patients have been connected to medical institutions for operations. Now, under the ‘Drishti’ project, residents of Baliapal and Basta will receive comprehensive eye care services.

The program is strategically implemented in key areas to achieve early detection and treatment of cataracts in target villages, which has led to a significant improvement in the quality of life for individuals in these communities.

Speaking on the occasion Dr.DulalsenJagdev, Chief District Medical & Public Health Officer (CDMPHO), Balasore, Said “The aim of this initiative is to provide comprehensive eye treatment, helping to eradicate eye diseases in the community. It focuses on reducing ROP in infants, refractive errors in school children and cataracts in the elderly. Tata Steel supports government schemes and also undertakes its own initiatives to combat eye diseases.’’

Sushanta Kumar Mishra, Executive Director, SPPL, said: “As its name suggests, DRISHTI focuses on proper eye care and treatment for common eye diseases. Initially, we identified and successfully operated around 400 cataract patients in Baliapala and Basta blocks. We also aim to raise eye care awareness among school children to prevent future issues and identify eye problems in newborns within 21 days. Tata Steel Foundation and Subarnarekha Port Management plan to reach every school and family in these blocks within 3-5 years to ensure treatment and eradicate common eye diseases. Project DRISHTI strives to provide essential eye care services to even the most remote communities.”

Teachers from local school, and Sarpanch and Panchayat Samiti members from around 18 Gram Panchayats (GPs) of Basta and Baliapal blocks in Balasore were also present on the occasion.

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Statements in this press release describing the Company’s performance may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those directly or indirectly expressed, inferred or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include, among others, economic conditions affecting demand/ supply and price conditions in the domestic and overseas markets in which the Company operates, changes in or due to the environment, Government regulations, laws, statutes, judicial pronouncements and/ or other incidentalfactors.

For queries and information

Sarvesh Kumar,Chief Corporate Communications, Tata Steel, sarvesh.kumar@tatasteel.com

About Tata Steel

Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum.
It is one of the world’s most geographically diversified steel producers, with operations and commercial presence across the world.
The group recorded a consolidated turnover of ~US$30.3 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2023.
A Great Place to Work-Certified^TMorganisation, Tata Steel Limited, together with its subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures, is spread across five continents with an employee base of over 77,000.
Tata Steel has announced its major sustainability objectives including Net Zero Carbon by 2045.
The Company has been on a multi-year digital-enabled business transformation journey intending to be the leader in ‘Digital Steel making by 2025’. The Company has received the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse recognition for its Jamshedpur, Kalinganagar, and IJmuiden Plants.
Tata Steel aspires to have a 20% diverse workforce by 2025. The Company has been recognised with the World Economic Forum’s Global Diversity Equity & Inclusion Lighthouse 2023.
The Company has been a part of the DJSI Emerging Markets Index since 2012 and has been consistently ranked amongthe top 10 steel companies in the DJSI Corporate Sustainability Assessment since 2016.
Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur Plant is India’s first site to receive ResponsibleSteel^TMCertification. Subsequently, its Kalinganagar and Meramandali plants have also received thecertification. In India, Tata Steel now has more than 90% of its steel production from ResponsibleSteel^TM certified sites.
Received Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant for 2016-17, 2023 Steel Sustainability Champion recognition from worldsteel for six years in a row, 2022 ‘Supplier Engagement Leader’ recognition by CDP, Top performer in Iron and Steel sector in Dun & Bradstreet’s India’s top 500 companies 2022, Ranked as the 2023 most valuable Mining and Metals brand in India by Brand Finance,‘Most Ethical Company’ award 2021 from Ethisphere Institute, and ‘Best Corporate for Promotion of Sports’ recognition at the Sportstar Aces Awards 2024.
Received the 2023 ERM (Enterprise Risk Management) Award of Distinction at the RIMS ERM Conference 2023, ‘Masters of Risk’ – Metals & Mining Sector recognition at The India Risk Management Awards for the seventh consecutive year, and Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting FY20 from ICAI, among several others.