Adani Group Launches 'Prasada Seva' for 4 Million Pilgrims in Puri

National News: In Puri, Odisha, Adani Group has launched a free prasada seva during the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, feeding lakhs of devotees daily. From June 26 to July 8, the group is serving nutritious food and water to over 40 lakh pilgrims and volunteers. The effort is driven not by branding, but by a declared spirit of devotion and national duty.

Volunteers wear Adani-distributed T-shirts, raincoats, caps, and jackets to maintain hygiene and coordination. Rainproof gear and umbrellas have also been provided to protect pilgrims in the monsoon. Municipal workers have been equipped with high-visibility safety vests for crowd support. The entire operation is being coordinated with local authorities and temple staff.

Not Sponsors, Only Sevaks

Adani Group has emphasized that it is not participating as a commercial sponsor. Instead, they consider themselves “sevaks” offering service to Lord Jagannath and his devotees. No banners, ads, or product promotions are placed at the prasada stalls. All essentials—including food, water, and garments—are distributed free of cost. This gesture aligns with Adani’s similar seva during the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj. Chairman Gautam Adani said, “True worship is service done in silence.” He called this a “duty, not publicity.”

Pilgrim Support in Monsoon

With lakhs walking barefoot and enduring rain, the seva provides both relief and protection. Ready-to-eat hygienic meals are prepared daily in massive mobile kitchens. Water stations, meal counters, and shelter arrangements are in place at major points. Volunteers assist with crowd flow, queue lines, and elderly care. Many pilgrims from rural and remote regions are benefiting from these provisions. This reduces pressure on local government infrastructure and charities. Pilgrims have called the food “timely, respectful, and spiritual.”

Coordinated Safety Measures Rise

Safety has been treated as seriously as service in Adani’s approach. The company provided municipal staff with fluorescent vests for better visibility. Volunteers are trained to report health emergencies or crowd issues quickly. All prasada is cooked under sanitary protocols with quality checks in place. Local police and fire services are looped into the movement plan. Coordination rooms operate near the temple for real-time issue tracking. This ensures service without disrupting religious proceedings.

Cultural CSR in Action

This initiative reflects a cultural turn in India Inc.’s CSR models. Adani has expanded its footprint from infrastructure and healthcare to spirituality. Seva has become a channel for human connection beyond commerce. Religious service here also reflects India’s soft power diplomacy model. It signals how private enterprises can support civilizational events at scale. Adani Group continues to fund education, nutrition, and environmental programs nationwide. Now it enters the sanctum of spiritual service.

Chairman’s Message on Unity

Gautam Adani’s statement emphasizes unity through seva, not identity. “Serve all without bias,” his team shared, quoting internal guidance. They view every devotee as family, not recipient. Unity through food and faith is their theme. He added, “Let every bite carry compassion.” His statement was broadcast at coordination points across Puri. Volunteers were seen bowing in silence before each day’s seva began.

Future of Faithful Philanthropy

The scale and sincerity of this effort raise a new benchmark. Can more corporates follow with humble offerings during large festivals? Experts say this model blends faith, logistics, and citizenship effectively. The key lies in staying apolitical and truly devotional. If successful, it may inspire structured faith-based CSR models. Adani has shown seva is scalable with soul. This could redefine corporate social responsibility in India’s spiritual calendar.