Indus Valley Times

By Deba Prasad Dash

Puri (Odisha), June 26: In a quiet yet far-reaching gesture of faith and service, the Adani Group has brought its spirit of seva to one of India’s most iconic religious festivals — the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri.

After its massive, volunteer-led welfare initiative during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj earlier this year, the Group has now extended its commitment to spiritual India by supporting pilgrims and officials during the nine-day chariot festival, which annually draws millions from across the country and beyond.

For the Adani Group, corporate social responsibility has long gone beyond infrastructure, education and healthcare. Increasingly, it includes active participation in India’s spiritual and cultural heritage — not merely as a benefactor, but as a sevak. Guided by Chairman Gautam Adani’s belief that “Seva Hi Sadhana Hai” (Service is Worship), the Group has rolled out a comprehensive welfare programme for the Rath Yatra, which runs from June 26 to July 8.

This year’s effort covers the distribution of nearly four million free meals and drinks, alongside food counters offering nutritious meals to pilgrims and officials, and beverage stalls across Puri to help devotees cope with the summer heat. It also includes support for lifeguards from the Puri Beach Lifeguard Mahasangha, volunteer-led beach clean-ups targeting plastic waste, and distribution of T-shirts for official volunteers. Additionally, fluorescent vests for municipal workers, along with jackets, raincoats, caps, and umbrellas for devotees and frontline personnel, have been arranged.

The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Adani Group, the Puri district administration, ISKCON, and several local volunteer organisations. The Group, which has an established presence in Odisha through the Adani Foundation in sectors like healthcare, education, and livelihoods, views this seva as an extension of its engagement