The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, September 22, 2024 (TBB Bureau): “While corporates have often been seen as violators, they are now viewed as protectors of the inalienable human rights,” stated Justice Satrughana Pujahari, Chairperson of the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC), at the State Level Conference on Human Rights held on Saturday at the Club House, Aditya Aluminium in Lapanga, Sambalpur.
Echoing this sentiment, Justice Bimal Prasad Das, former Chairperson of the OHRC, emphasized, “Children are born with inherent human rights, and denying these due to poverty is a violation. Just as oxygen is essential for life, human rights are paramount.”
The event, organized by Hindalco Industries Ltd, in partnership with the OHRC, brought together a diverse group of dignitaries, human rights experts, government officials, academics, and corporate representatives to engage in critical discussions surrounding key human rights issues in Odisha.
Among the notable attendees were members of the OHRC, including Asim Amitabh Dash and Chitta Ranjan Mohapatra, as well as senior administrative and police officials, such as Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, RDC-Sambalpur; Siddeshwar Baliram Bondar, District Magistrate of Sambalpur; Aboli Sunil Narvane, District Magistrate of Jharsuguda; Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo, SP-Sambalpur; and Parmar Smit Parshottamdas, SP-Jharsuguda. Notable figures from academia included Prof. Bidhu Bhusan Mishra, Vice Chancellor of Sambalpur University.
Hindalco was also represented by key officials including Samik Basu, Chief Human Resource Officer; Nilesh Koul, CEO, Downstream Aluminium Business; Saurabh Khedekar, CEO, Specialty Chemical Business; Jasbir Singh, Cluster HR Head; TM Prakash, Cluster HR Head; Dr Krishna Padhi, Cluster HR Head; Sameer Nayak, Unit Head-Aditya Aluminium; PVKR Krishna, Head-Projects, Aditya and Hirakud FRP; Debasish Mallik, Unit Head, Hirakud Power and Smelter; and Soumitra Roy, Unit Head, Hirakud FRP, all of whom contributed valuable insights into human rights issues affecting the region.
The conference featured engaging panel discussions and interactive dialogues, allowing participants to explore vital topics such as indigenous rights, labour rights, gender equality, social justice, and the responsibilities of governance in upholding human rights standards.
During the event, Samik Basu reinforced Hindalco’s commitment to human rights, stating, “Human rights are the core of what ABG stands for and propagates. In Odisha, with such a large force, we must facilitate our efforts by building awareness and improving compliance, identifying issues and vulnerable groups, and prioritizing our actions.”
The conference served not only as a platform for dialogue but also as a catalyst for collective action to address pressing human rights challenges in the community. Hindalco’s ongoing initiatives reflect its dedication to promoting human rights and fostering positive contributions to society.
Looking ahead, the company is committed to continuing its collaborative efforts with various stakeholders to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights across the nation, demonstrating a profound commitment to raising awareness and inspiring action in this crucial area.
