The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
LANJIGARH, APRIL 9, 2025
Vedanta Aluminium, a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited and India’s leading producer of smelter-grade alumina, hosted “Parichay,” a vibrant celebration of women’s empowerment and the rich cultural heritage of Kalahandi district. The event saw the participation of over 2,000 women from 60 villages, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of rural Odisha.
“Parichay” marked the culmination of a month-long series of activities dedicated to women’s empowerment. Throughout the month, Vedanta Lanjigarh engaged women from remote corners of Kalahandi through various games and community-building exercises aimed at boosting camaraderie and self-confidence.
Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya, CEO of Vedanta’s Alumina business, emphasized the company’s commitment to inclusive development, saying, “Women are at the heart of inclusive development. Through our women empowerment project – Sakhi, we are proud to empower more than 5,000 women across Kalahandi, nurturing local enterprises and enabling social and financial independence. Parichay is a celebration of their spirit and success stories.”
Mamata Bidika, a Self-Help Group (SHG) member from Ashrampada, shared her transformative journey, “Earlier, we lacked confidence and income opportunities. After joining our SHG through Project Sakhi, I learned how to manage finances, run a small business, and even speak publicly. Today, I proudly sell our products at exhibitions like Sakhi Utsav, and my earnings support my children’s education.”
The event featured stalls from 18 SHGs, showcasing a diverse array of handcrafted and organic products, including honey, kulthi dal, millet-based snacks, cold-pressed oils, spices, paper plates, and eco-friendly cleaning agents. Notable attractions included “Sakhi Rasoi,” a live cooking counter run by SHG women, pottery displays, and Dhokra and Saura art by local artisans. Attendees were also treated to folk dance performances from seven villages and a special felicitation ceremony honoring 11 inspiring women achievers for their entrepreneurial excellence.
This initiative aligns with Vedanta Lanjigarh’s ongoing efforts to empower women through skill development and livelihood opportunities. In previous years, the company has launched initiatives such as the Tailoring Training Centre in 2021 to diversify livelihood avenues for rural women and the ‘Sashakti Suvidha Kendra’ in 2021 to aid local women’s SHGs in marketing their products . Additionally, the Shaktimayee Foundation, supported by Vedanta, celebrated its 6th Foundation Day in 2022, empowering nearly 4,000 women across Kalahandi and Rayagada.
