Jamshedpur, August 09, 2020

~ Resilience of indigenous people to current pandemic takes centre stage in a webinar ~

On International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples today, Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) hosted a webinar to honour the strength, resilience, dignity, and pride of indigenous peoples. Experts from diverse backgrounds came together to discuss the innovative ways in which the indigenous communities continue demonstrating resilience and strength in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Meenakshi Munda, Social Scientist and Writer, and Naresh Deogam, Vice President, Ho Mahasabha, Chaibasa, participated as panelists and shared insights and good practices with the audience to highlight how the preservation and promotion of indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge and practices can be leveraged further during this pandemic.

Naresh Deogam said: 'In tribal cultures, when someone enters our house, we wash the hand of people with turmeric water as it acts like an antiseptic. Practices like these have kept our homes safe and such cultures have so much relevance today.'

Dr Munda expressed that there are a lot of practices that exists in the tribal communities that the world overlooks. 'Interestingly, most of the world's oldest and scientific practices lie with them. A number of tribal communities have made masks of sal leaves and many have stuck down their villages. They understand social distancing in a better manner because it has been a practice in their communities to lock themselves up when a health crisis happens,' she opined.

Eminent folk singer and Padma Shri recipient Mukund Nayak also sent his wishes through a video message marking the launch of 'Vishwaas', the first single from Rhythms of the Earth (ROTE), which is an ensemble of tribal music across India and has been curated by TSF. This musical celebration of the many wonderful women, men and children from the tribes of the country is a vote of confidence in a way of life which has never distinguished between our planet and its people, and rejoices all that can be learnt from the tribes of the world who are with the Company and the Foundation on the Samvaad (the annual tribal conclave hosted by Tata Steel) journey.

Rhythms of the Earth (ROTE), that germinated on the stage of Samvaad, brings together more than 90 musicians from over 16 tribes and 6 states. In February 2018, ROTE performed at National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai and the same year in November witnessed a music collaboration with Bickram Ghosh and Purbayan Chatterjee. In November 2019, ROTE's traditional music fused with Swarathma's contemporary beats and brought alive a musical symphony.

'The tribal communities have steadfast confidence in their traditional identity, unshakable faith in harmony that nature teaches us and conviction that human beings can and need to balance the effects on the environment and community. This song reiterates our confidence and our willingness to learn from their rich way of life,' said Sourav Roy, Chief CSR, Tata Steel.

A diverse audience joined the webinar and interacted with the panelists. In its journey of understanding and ushering a shared context with the indigenous communities across its operational locations, Tata Steel has been fortunate to closely associate with their culture and practices that make them so unique and sublime.

Visit the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw2D2C13BM0 to view 'Vishwaas', the first single from 'Rhythms of the Earth'.

About Tata Steel

Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 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 (excluding SEA operations) recorded a consolidated turnover of US $19.7 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2020.

A Great Place to Work-CertifiedTM organisation, Tata Steel Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, is spread across five continents with an employee base of over 65,000.

Tata Steel was recognised as DJSI steel sector leader in 2018 and has ranked fourth in the steel sector in 2019. Besides being a member of the Worldsteel's Climate Action Programme, Tata Steel has won several awards and recognitions including the World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse recognition for its Kalinganagar Plant - a first in India, and Prime Minister's Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant for 2016-17. The Company, ranked as India's most valuable Metals & Mining brand by Brand Finance, received the 'Honourable Mention' at the National CSR Awards 2019, Steel Sustainability Champion 2019 by Worldsteel, CII Greenco Star Performer Award 2019, 'Most Ethical Company' award 2020 from Ethisphere Institute, and Best Risk Management Framework & Systems Award (2020) by CNBC TV-18, among several others.

To know more, visit www.tatasteel.comand www.wealsomaketomorrow.com.

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Disclaimer:

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 incidental factors.

Kulvin Suri

Chief, Corporate Communications-India & SEA

Tata Steel

E-mail: kulvinsuri@tatasteel.com

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Tata Steel Ltd. published this content on 09 August 2020 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 09 August 2020 11:23:14 UTC