Puri, Jul 10: In a major initiative aimed at tackling climate change, promoting renewable energy, and strengthening rural livelihoods, the SBI Foundation (SBIF), in collaboration with the Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD), has launched Project Jagajyoti in Odisha's Puri district.

The project seeks to address pressing challenges such as climate change, depletion of natural resources, and distress migration by promoting climate-smart, sustainable, and inclusive rural development. It will be implemented across five Gram Panchayats-Baliput, Chhaitana, Beldal, Jamarasuan, and Chalisbatia with a focus on transforming them into Climate Smart Panchayats.

Speaking at the launch, Jagadananda, Mentor of CYSD, said that climate change and rural distress demand a new development model rooted in local planning, community participation, and sustainable management of natural resources. He stressed that integrating these principles into the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) would help build resilient, self-reliant, and environmentally sustainable villages.

Member of Parliament Sambit Patra said Puri has the potential to become a national model for climate-resilient rural development. He highlighted that renewable energy can improve access to safe drinking water, agriculture, livelihoods, digital services, and rural infrastructure while reducing carbon emissions. He also emphasized the importance of equipping rural youth with digital skills and creating local employment opportunities to curb distress migration. According to him, the active involvement of Panchayats, women's Self-Help Groups, youth, and local communities will ensure the initiative remains sustainable and people-centric.

Under Project Jagajyoti, several renewable energy-based infrastructure projects will be established, including solar-powered drinking water systems, solar street lights, solar-powered agricultural service centres, and digital learning centres. The initiative will also promote the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana to encourage wider adoption of clean energy solutions at the grassroots.

SBI Foundation Managing Director and CEO Swapan Dhar said the project combines renewable energy, safe drinking water, green livelihoods, digital empowerment, and community participation to create a replicable model of Climate Smart Panchayats. He noted that the initiative reflects the Foundation's commitment to building resilient rural communities through sustainable development.

Former Puri MLA Jayanta Sarangi, who attended the event as a special guest, described Project Jagajyoti as a transformative initiative for rural Odisha. He underlined the importance of collective action and community ownership in ensuring the long-term success of the programme.

To support implementation, the SBI Foundation handed over financial assistance of ₹99 lakh to CYSD for executing the project across the five Gram Panchayats. Distinguished guests were also felicitated in recognition of their contributions.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Sambit Mohanty, Block Development Officer (BDO), Puri.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the local community, Sanjay Kumar Samantaray, Sarpanch of Jamarasuan Gram Panchayat, said the project would significantly benefit farmers through a new cold storage facility while providing digital learning opportunities that would equip children with essential computer skills. He added that the initiative offers a valuable opportunity to build climate-resilient Panchayats capable of addressing the growing impacts of climate change.

Project Jagajyoti marks an important milestone in Odisha's efforts to promote sustainable rural development by integrating renewable energy, digital inclusion, and community-led governance. The initiative is expected to serve as a scalable model for climate-resilient rural transformation across the state and beyond.