The Business Bytes
Jharsuguda, November 6, 2024 (TBB Bureau): In a significant health initiative, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s leading aluminium producer, observed Global Handwashing Day 2024 by launching an extensive awareness campaign across 28 villages in Jharsuguda. With the theme “Why are clean hands still important?” the campaign aimed to enhance health and hygiene practices within local communities, promoting handwashing as a vital tool to prevent diseases and improve well-being.
Each year on October 15, Global Handwashing Day is observed to remind people about the importance of hand hygiene to health.
The initiative was marked by interactive sessions on proper handwashing techniques, supplemented with guidance on other essential hygiene practices, such as maintaining clean surroundings, personal cleanliness, and safe food handling. These sessions attracted active participation from more than 3,000 community members, who learned simple yet impactful ways to reduce disease transmission through hygiene.
A highlight of the campaign was hands-on demonstrations of correct handwashing methods, followed by engaging discussions with health experts. Participants enthusiastically showcased their understanding, and Bhavani Buda, recognized for an outstanding demonstration, received a health kit as a reward, reinforcing Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to promoting healthy habits within the community.
Speaking about the initiative, Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we believe in the power of small actions to drive big changes. This campaign on Global Handwashing Day reflects our dedication to improving health and well-being in the communities where we operate. By advocating for good hygiene practices, we aim to create a healthier environment and prevent the spread of diseases.”
Bhavani Buda, the health kit recipient, expressed newfound appreciation for the knowledge gained, saying, “Learning about basic hygiene practices has been eye-opening for me. These are small but impactful changes we can make in our daily lives to ensure better health for ourselves and our families.”
In addition, Dr. Jayanarayan Pujari, a doctor from Vedanta’s Mobile Health Unit, emphasized the value of handwashing, stating, “Handwashing is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections. Educating communities about proper handwashing techniques and hygiene practices is crucial for public health and helps reduce disease transmission.”
Labanga Bag, Sarpanch of Brundamal, commended Vedanta’s efforts, saying, “This Global Handwashing Day has united our community around the essential practice of handwashing. These activities have not only educated us on hygiene’s importance but also instilled a sense of responsibility towards our own health and that of those around us. We are encouraged to embrace this simple, powerful habit, ensuring a healthier future for everyone.”
Through this campaign, Vedanta Aluminium continues its ongoing efforts to uplift communities around its operations by fostering improved health and hygiene practices. The company’s social interventions span education, healthcare, livelihood, skill development, grassroots sports, and the promotion of art and culture, with a special focus on women and child development. These programs impact nearly 80 villages in Jharsuguda and surrounding areas, benefiting over 300,000 people annually. The initiatives empower nearly 5,000 women from over 350 self-help groups (SHGs), deliver healthcare services to about 50,000 people each year, support the education of over 13,000 students, and involve locals in planting nearly 150,000 trees to enhance environmental sustainability.
Vedanta Aluminium, a division of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest aluminium producer, manufacturing 2.37 million tonnes in FY24, and leads in the production of value-added aluminium products essential to various industries. The company was ranked first in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 for the aluminium industry worldwide, reflecting its strong commitment to sustainable development practices. Through its state-of-the-art smelters, alumina refineries, and power plants in India, Vedanta Aluminium supports emerging applications of aluminium as the “Metal of the Future” for a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.
