Tata Steel celebrated 100 years of discovery of iron ore at Joda in Keonjhar district of Orissa today.
Commemorating the occasion, B Muthuraman, managing director, Tata Steel commended the geologists and mining engineers at a function held at Joda for their hard work which put Tata Steel prominently in the global minerals arena and wealth creation for the community.
Stressing on judicious use of mineral resources, Muthuraman said, the discovery of iron and chrome ore has not only impacted Tata Steel but also the country. “Geologists are always been fundamentally important to the prosperity of Tata Steel and the country as a whole”, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, H M Nerurkar, executive director (India & South East Asia) said that the occasion was emotionally touching and a proud moment in the history of Tata Steel and Orissa. It may be noted, iron ore at Joda was first discovered by S N Sarma, a geologist working with Tata Steel in 1909. From discovery to a sustained holistic development, the saga of Joda has been eventful. When the iron ore was discovered, there was no geological data available till Tata Steel set up a prospecting department in 1915.
Post independence, the geological department set up by the state government depended on the data developed by the company. Tata Steel's involvement in the minerals development of Joda is dotted with several milestones, which are now part of history.
Vision and plans to turn Joda into a modern township with all civic amenities have become reality with the presence of Tata Steel. Apart from providing employment, the company has brought a positive change in their lifestyle.
The Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS), which was set up at Joda to ensure peripheral development, has actively been working for upgrading the lifestyle of the local people. The township in Joda enjoys the facilities like a club, schools, market complex, cooperative society, recreational activities and much more.