Tata Steel Foundation Empowers Balika Birhor to Become First-Generation Nursing Professional

Jamshedpur: Balika Birhor’s journey from the small settlement of Chhota Banki in East Singhbhum to a professional career in Bengaluru serves as a powerful testament to resilience. At 21, she stands as a beacon of achievement for the Birhor, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), a community that traditionally relies on forest-based labour for survival.

Breaking Barriers Through Education

The daughter of Sukhrani and Subodh Birhor, Balika grew up in a household where her parents earned roughly ₹500 a month selling rice beer. Despite these financial hurdles, she pushed forward as a first-generation learner.

A major turning point occurred when the Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) facilitated her admission to Carmel School, Chakradharpur. She excelled academically, securing 82% in her Matriculation (2020) and 63% in her Intermediate Science exams from St. Xavier’s Inter College, Lupungutu.

Strategic Guidance via Project Aakanksha

Transitioning to higher education posed a significant challenge as her family hesitated to let her leave the village. TSF’s Project Aakanksha—which focuses on educating children from PVTG communities like the Sabar, Birhor, and Pahariya—stepped in to bridge the gap.

The Aakanksha team:

• Conducted psychometric tests to identify Balika’s strengths.

• Provided career counseling to her family to build their trust.

• Highlighted how formal education leads to stable livelihoods.

“Balika’s journey is a testament to the determination within these communities,” said Namita Toppo, Manager, Tribal Identity at TSF. “She has carved her own path and emerged as a symbol of hope.”

Project Samriddhi: A Flight Toward a Career

Balika’s professional dreams took flight through Project Samriddhi, a TSF initiative that trains young tribal women from Jharkhand and Odisha as nursing professionals. With the Foundation’s mentorship, she cleared the entrance exam for the Narayana Hrudayalaya College of Nursing in Bengaluru.

TSF supported her throughout the General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) program, even facilitating her first-ever flight to the city. Balika has now completed her training and secured a position as a Staff Nurse at Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital. She will join in April 2026 with an annual CTC of ₹3 lakh, aiming to gain experience in the emergency unit.

Giving Back to the Roots

Despite her success in the city, Balika remains deeply connected to Chhota Banki. She actively educates village women on menstrual health and nutrition, encouraging them to choose medical care over traditional remedies. She also plans to fund a hand pump for her village once she achieves financial stability.

Jiren Topno, Head of Tribal Identity at TSF, noted: “Balika exemplifies the transformative power of institutional support coupled with personal resilience. We are honored by the community’s trust, which remains the cornerstone of our mission.”

Balika herself reflects, “Had it not been for Tata Steel Foundation, I might have stayed home and married early. Their constant support changed my life.”