Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation Launches ‘e-Shikshya Express’ and ‘Kanya Express’ in Kalinganagar

Reaffirming its commitment to community-centric development, the CSR arm of Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Limited (IMFA), BIPF, launched two of its flagship outreach initiatives, Kanya Express and e-Shikshya Express, in Kalinganagar, Jajpur, today. The programs were inaugurated by Ms. P. Anvesha Reddy, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate of Jajpur.

These initiatives are part of a broader set of development efforts in Kalinganagar, in quick succession to the groundbreaking ceremony of IMFA’s upcoming plant in the region by Hon’ble Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on 22nd May 2025.  The launch of Kanya Express and e-Shikshya Express reaffirms the organisation’s commitment to empowering communities from the outset. 

Kanya Express, part of BIPF’s healthcare vertical since 2021, is a mobile health initiative aimed at combating anaemia among adolescent girls. It promotes awareness around nutrition, menstrual hygiene, and preventive healthcare.

The e-Shikshya Express is a mobile digital learning centre that brings basic digital literacy and computer skills to underserved communities, enabling individuals, particularly youth and women, to become confident participants in an increasingly tech-driven world.

Commenting on the significance of such initiatives, Ms. Shaifalika Panda, Chief CSR, IMFA, and Trustee & CEO of BIPF, said, “Our commitment to communities is reflected in the early action of these development initiatives.  These projects reflect our belief in impact investment towards inclusion, health and education, which is the foundation for a more resilient future.”

Since its inception in 2011, the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) has focused on creating long-term impact across key areas such as healthcare, education, livelihood, skill development, and women’s empowerment. This approach builds on the legacy of IMFA, which believes that development should begin with people. At every site, IMFA has consistently engaged with communities from the outset, taking the time to understand their needs and implement targeted interventions even prior to operations. The launch of Kanya Express and e-Shikshya Express in Kalinganagar continues this tradition of placing communities at the heart of progress.