The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
JHARSUGUDA/LANJIGARH, APRIL 11, 2025
In a powerful demonstration of corporate responsibility and community care, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, observed World Health Day with an extensive array of health and wellness initiatives across its Odisha operations. Embracing the global theme of ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’, the company rolled out targeted programmes that underscored its commitment to holistic well-being for both its employees and the surrounding communities.
At the company’s Jharsuguda plant, a comprehensive health awareness programme was conducted in collaboration with the District Health Department at Sunarimunda village. The event attracted over 130 villagers and featured active participation from healthcare professionals and local leaders. Dr. Dolamani Patel, Head of the Non-Communicable Diseases Department, Jharsuguda, emphasized the vital role of preventive healthcare in improving long-term health outcomes. He was joined by Dr. Jayanarayan Pujari, MHU doctor, Anganwadi worker Suruchi Padhi, and Sunarimunda Upper Primary School Headmistress Gitanjali Bishi. Together, they facilitated engaging sessions that encouraged community members to adopt healthy lifestyles. Reinforcing the company’s internal health ethos, a voluntary blood donation drive was held at the Jharsuguda plant premises, garnering an impressive collection of over 150 units of blood through enthusiastic employee participation.
Meanwhile, in Lanjigarh, the site of Vedanta’s alumina refinery, the company conducted a multispecialty mega health camp, offering free consultations and diagnostic services to more than 400 residents from nearby villages. This effort forms a core part of Project Aarogya, Vedanta’s flagship healthcare programme in the region. In FY25 alone, the project has reached over 1.2 lakh beneficiaries through a suite of interventions including mobile medical units, surgical care, hospital tie-ups, and nutritional support initiatives that tackle both preventive and curative health needs.
Reflecting on the company’s broader vision, Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium, highlighted the integral role of health in sustainable development. “At Vedanta Aluminium, we recognize that good health is not just an individual necessity but a collective responsibility that strengthens the fabric of society. Through comprehensive community outreach and employee wellness programmes, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of well-being that touches every household around our operations,” said Gupta.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Dolamani Patel lauded Vedanta’s collaborative approach, noting that it sets a benchmark for industry-led public health promotion. “Collaborative initiatives like this go a long way in promoting preventive healthcare at the grassroots level. Vedanta’s proactive approach in engaging both employees and the community is commendable and sets a strong example for other industries to follow,” Dr. Patel said.
The health week also saw vibrant participation from employees and their families through creative and educational activities such as quizzes, debates, skits, drawing competitions, first aid demonstrations, and healthy food contests. These engagements were crafted to instill awareness around personal health, workplace safety, nutrition, and emergency response, thereby reinforcing Vedanta’s integrated approach to wellness.
Vedanta’s commitment to social responsibility is deeply rooted in its extensive community development efforts. Across 80 villages in Jharsuguda and 67 villages around Lanjigarh, the company’s initiatives span critical areas such as education, healthcare, women and child development, livelihood generation, skill-building, grassroots sports, and cultural enrichment. These interventions collectively benefit over 4.5 lakh people annually in Odisha, making Vedanta Aluminium not only a leader in industry but also a catalyst for inclusive growth and community empowerment.
