The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
LANJIGARH, JAN 31, 2024
Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh, a leading producer of metallurgical-grade alumina and a key unit of Vedanta Aluminium, participated in the 26th edition of the ‘Kalahandi Utsav – Ghumura 24’, held in Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Kalahandi in Odisha. This annual event, celebrating the diverse art, culture, music, literature, and handicrafts of the region, draws inspiration from ‘Ghumura’, a traditional folk dance embodying the cultural essence of Kalahandi. Vedanta Lanjigarh’s stall at the event presented a captivating fusion of heritage art, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of Odisha, alongside product exhibits demonstrating its extensive manufacturing prowess.
The stall featured an engaging demonstration of Vedanta Aluminium’s product journey, illustrating the transformation of bauxite into high-quality aluminium products. Additionally, it displayed vibrant exhibits highlighting the company’s social impact initiatives in education, health, and skill training. Notably, the stall showcased several handmade and packaged products developed under Project ‘Sakhi’, an initiative empowering over 4000 women in rural Odisha through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), providing avenues for entrepreneurship.
The stall attracted over 10,000 visitors during the festival and was graced by dignitaries such as P. Anwesha Reddy, District Magistrate and Collector, Kalahandi, and G. Abhilash, Superintendent of Police, Kalahandi.
Moreover, Vedanta Lanjigarh felicitated students who had emerged as district toppers in their 10th standard board exams through the Vedanta Gyanshree Award, encouraging students from rural communities to pursue higher education.
“The Kalahandi Utsav is a memorable celebration, offering Vedanta Lanjigarh a notable platform to reaffirm its commitment to preserving Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. Through our operations and focused social impact endeavors, we strive to contribute to the socio-economic development of Kalahandi,” said Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO-Alumina Business, Vedanta Ltd.
Vedanta Lanjigarh’s dedication to preserving and promoting Kalahandi’s artistic traditions was evident in the heritage art displays at its stall. These artworks were created by artisans trained under Vedanta Lanjigarh’s Dhokra and Saura art revival programs, instrumental in revitalizing these fading art forms and providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for over 200 families in the region.
Kalahandi District Information & Public Relations Officer Manoj Kumar Behera commended Vedanta Lanjigarh’s strong dedication to continuous community engagement and assimilation into the cultural fabric of Kalahandi, highlighting the company’s unwavering commitment to the region’s growth and development.
Vedanta Lanjigarh’s social interventions, spanning sustainable livelihoods, quality education, women empowerment, healthcare, water and sanitation, and community infrastructure, reach over 67 villages and nearby areas. The company empowers more than 4000 women from over 378 SHGs, provides qualitative healthcare services to about 60,000 people annually, and has established Lanjigarh’s first English-medium school- DAV Vedanta International School. Additionally, it has nurtured 4000 children and 800 women in over 200 Nand Ghars, modernized anganwadis serving as hubs of community development, and supported more than 200 youths through sports and skills training initiatives.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing over half of India’s aluminium, i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. Recognized as a leader in value-added aluminium products, Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, reflecting its sustainable development practices. With world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery, and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of promoting emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
