SAIL Rourkela Steel Plant

RSP Chronicle

From Homemakers to Entrepreneurs: CSR Initiative of Rourkela Steel Plant weaves stories of sustainable livelihood
"This centre has transformed not just my skills, but my confidence and outlook towards life," says Tulsi with pride. "When I first joined the training programme organized by Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), I only hoped to learn tailoring well enough to earn a small supplementary income for my family. I never imagined that one day I would be part of an enterprise registered under MSME, with access to government support and opportunities,” says Ms. Tulsi Kush, a resident of Jalda Resettlement Colony, situated in the periphery of RSP who joined the CSR programme as a trainee in May 2025 and today serves as a trainer.
What began as a simple tailoring training programme for a group of women from Jalda Resettlement Colony, has today evolved into a promising women-led Training cm Production Centre (TCPC), creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and inspiring self-reliance under the guidance and patronage of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant.
The journey of the TCPC began on 28th May 2025, when fifteen women from Jalda Resettlement Colony attended the first phase of training at the Institute for Peripheral Development, of RSP. The initiative was facilitated by the CSR Department of RSP, with Mr. Gurucharan Mohanty, Project Manager of Gram Uthan, playing a key role in identifying and mobilising the participants. The training was imparted by trainer provide by Usha Silai, who equipped the women with foundational and advanced tailoring skills.
The participants initially learned basic stitching techniques before progressing to the production of a wide range of garments and utility items, including ladies' and gents' shirts, trousers, blouses, petticoats, kurtis, salwar suits, cloth bags, aprons, jackets and skirts. Specialised training in embroidery, appliqué work and cut-work further enhanced the value and marketability of their products.
A Training-cum-Production Centre, was established at Jalda ‘C’ Block, where the second phase of the training was imparted in July 2025 and subsequently the third phase was conducted in October 2025. During the training itself, the women began accepting production orders, including the stitching of school uniforms for Anganwadi children. Subsequent training phases introduced advanced tailoring and decorative techniques such as quilting, patchwork, frame work on sarees, net work, wall hangings, curtains and home décor products.
Tulsi recalls that the first order for stitching uniforms for Anganwadi children proved to be a defining moment for the group. "It gave us the confidence that we could compete in the market and deliver quality work. Today, we no longer see ourselves as trainees; we see ourselves as entrepreneurs contributing to our families and the community," she says.
Over the months, the centre steadily expanded its capabilities and customer base finally getting registered under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) framework. The registration has enabled the group to access government support mechanisms, explore new business opportunities and strengthen its position as a sustainable community enterprise.
Several members have begun training other women, creating a multiplier effect that is spreading the benefits of skill development and entrepreneurship across the region.
Through such initiatives, the RSP is not merely imparting vocational skills but enabling women to build dignified livelihoods, develop self-confidence and emerge as active participants in local economic development.
Today, the humming sewing machines at Jalda are stitching more than garments—they are weaving stories of aspiration, resilience and empowerment. For women like Tulsi Kush and her fellow members, the TCPC has become a gateway to a brighter future, proving that when opportunity meets determination, sustainable change becomes possible.
The TCPC model reflects SAIL-RSP's commitment to inclusive development by combining skill enhancement, market linkage, institutional support and entrepreneurship promotion.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda, Chairman & Managing Director, SAIL Visits Rourkela Steel Plant
Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), Steel Authority of India Limited arrived at Rourkela on a two-day visit to SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) on 29th May, 2026. Mr. Alok Verma, Director In-Charge, RSP received Dr. Panda at Rourkela Airport. Present on the occasion were Mr. Tarun Misra, ED (HR), and Mr. Anil Kumar, ED (MM). A Guard of Honor was presented to Dr. Panda at the airport by the CISF Unit of RSP.
On 30th morning, Dr. Panda visited the expansion site of RSP and New Plant Mill. Mr. Alok Verma accompanied the CMD along with Mr Rajiv Ranjan, ED(Business Planning ) SAIL Corp. Office, Mr. Biswaranjan Palai, ED (Works) and Mr. S Pal Chowdhury, ED (Projects).
After the visit, Dr. Panda chaired a high-level meeting held at the Manthan Conference Hall of RSP. The meeting was attended by the Director In-Charge, all the Executive Directors, CGMs, HODs and other senior officials of the plant. Describing his visit to RSP as a homecoming, Dr Panda praised the good performance of the Plant and the number of records set by it in various fields of endeavour. The SAIL Management has a reposed its faith on RSP and also has a lot of expectations from it, he added. During the interactions, Dr Panda, emphasised on three key aspects of operations of the Steel Plant, viz. Safety, Equipment Health and higher production of Value Added Steel.
Mr Alok Verma, thanked the CMD for his guidance and said that RSP collective will rise to the expectations of the SAIL Management.
Dr. Panda left Rourkela in the afternoon. He was accorded a fond farewell by the Director In-Charge and other senior officers at the Rourkela Airport.

Rourkela Steel Plant rewards local marathoners at par with professional winners :
- Sanjay Kerketta of Dumerta village gets total cash prize of Rs. 51,000/-
The first edition of the Rourkela Half Marathon- 2026, organised by SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) on 24th January 2026 was a national level mega event that was attended by more than 5000 athletes including 1251 national level runners from other states and some international athletes too. The AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) certified event was a grand success and a total prize money of Rs. 7,70,800/- was presented to the winners in different categories of the marathon. One remarkable aspect of the Marathon was the enthusiastic participation of the local youth from peripheral villages of Rourkela, who performed unexpectedly well in the Half Marathon. In the awards, there was a special category for the peripheral participants, in which Rs 5000/- was given to the top ten runners.
However, struck by the exceptional performance and the palpable enthusiasm of the local youth, Mr. Alok Verma, Director In-Charge of Rourkela Steel Plant made a spontaneous and inspiring decision of upgrading to the prize structure for the periphery segment at par with the highest category in which national level professionals competed. Accordingly, the prize money for the top three finishers in the 21.1 km segment from amongst the peripheral youth was enhanced to Rs. 51000/- , Rs. 31,000/- and Rs. 21000/-, which were equivalent to the awards given to the top three runners of the marathon.
Accordingly, in a function organised at the CSR Deptt of RSP on 26th May 2026, Sanjay Kerketta of Dumerta village who completed the race in 1 hour 35 minute 46 seconds was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 46,000/- in addition to the Rs.5000/- awarded earlier. Similarly Purna Majhi (1 hour 39 mins 23 secs) of Madhupur village received Rs. 26,000/-, and Paul Abhinash Jate (1 hour 44 mins 30 secs) of Dumerta village received Rs. 16,000/-, in addition to the Rs.5000/- awarded to each of them earlier. Besides 20 other runners from peripheral villages were presented with gifts. Mr. Mr. T G Kanekar, CGM (TS & CSR) handed over the awards and taken gifts in the presence of Ms. Munmun Mittra, GM In-charge (CSR), Mr. Purushottam Sahoo, DGM (CSR), and other CSR Officials.
By bridging the gap between local talent and professional-level recognition, Rourkela Steel Plant is aiming at creating and promoting a pool of national level athletes from its peripheral villages.