The Business Bytes
New Delhi, August 19, 2024 (TBB Bureau): On the occasion of India’s 78th Independence Day, Vedanta Aluminium, the nation’s largest aluminium producer, has taken a monumental step in promoting gender equality within its operations. The company launched Phase Three of Project Shree Shakti, a pioneering initiative aimed at inducting women employees into night shifts at its smelter operations in Jharsuguda, Odisha. This phase, a first-of-its-kind within Odisha’s metals and manufacturing industry, was inaugurated by Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Limited and Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc.
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Project Shree Shakti is designed to provide women employees with the flexibility to work during their preferred hours, while also empowering them to take on critical roles within core plant operations. This initiative aligns with Vedanta Aluminium’s broader commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable workforce, ensuring the constant safety and well-being of its employees.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar highlighted the significance of this project, stating, “Building an inclusive organization demands a continuous focus on creating equal opportunities for all. Project Shree Shakti is a step in that direction and has emerged as an enabler of positive transformation within Odisha’s industrial landscape. At Vedanta, we remain deeply committed to creating a conducive work environment where every team member, irrespective of gender, can grow and excel.”
Project Shree Shakti symbolizes the empowerment and independence that are integral to a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). By offering women professionals the freedom of flexible working hours, the project ensures that they can build and pursue their careers on their own terms. The initiative includes inducting women professionals into night shifts across the company’s core operations within Odisha, providing them with a safe and trusted work environment. This move is expected to create additional opportunities for women to advance in their careers and assume leadership roles, contributing to a broader shift towards equitable access to opportunities for women.
Women employees inducted under this project will take on advanced operational tasks previously handled exclusively by male professionals, showcasing their technical expertise. The initiative is designed to unlock the full potential of women employees by equipping them with the necessary professional skillsets, providing advanced training opportunities in industrial processes, and exposing them to world-class technologies. To facilitate a smooth onboarding process, Vedanta has implemented enhanced security and safety measures across its operations in Odisha. These measures include sensitization sessions for the entire workforce, a specialized squad to oversee workplace commutes, designated female drivers, and more platforms exclusively for women employees to connect with one another.
Soni Kumari, a PTM (Pot Tending Machine) operator at Vedanta Aluminium’s potline operations in Jharsuguda, who was inducted under the first phase of the project, shared her experience: “Working under the Shree Shakti Project has been life-changing. The comprehensive work experience I received enabled me to balance my career and studies seamlessly. I gained valuable skills that have made me more independent and confident. This initiative has not only supported my professional growth but also empowered me to pursue my personal goals more effectively.”
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of the nation’s aluminium at 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks first in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, reflecting its leadership in sustainable development practices. With world-class aluminium smelters, an alumina refinery, and power plants in India, the company is driving the emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
