The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
JHARSUGUDA, FEBRUARY 28, 2025
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has launched the Vedanta Martial Arts Training Centre, a pioneering initiative aimed at empowering the youth of Jharsuguda through structured martial arts training. The initiative seeks to equip young individuals with essential self-defence skills, discipline, and the opportunity to compete at national and international levels, fostering a culture of confidence and excellence in the region.
The newly inaugurated centre will serve as a dedicated hub for martial arts, with a focus on disciplines such as karate and judo. It will provide professional coaching to help participants hone their skills and prepare for competitive tournaments at state, national, and international levels. More than just a sports facility, the initiative emphasizes physical fitness, mental resilience, and self-discipline, developing well-rounded individuals who can excel across various fields, including professional sports, coaching, and defence services.
The launch event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Prabeer Kumar Nayak, Chief Development Officer, Jharsuguda; Jeebananda Mohanty, Vice President, District Hockey Association, Odisha; and Vivekananda Mishra, Chief Advisor, National Karate Foundation, Jharsuguda. Their presence underscored the significance of this initiative in transforming the sports landscape of the region.
Speaking at the event, Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Vedanta Aluminium, expressed the company’s commitment to sports development in Odisha. “At Vedanta, we are deeply committed to fostering the growth and development of sports in Odisha. Through initiatives like the Vedanta Martial Arts Training Centre, we aim to strengthen the sports infrastructure in the region, providing our youth with world-class opportunities to excel. This facility is a testament to our ongoing efforts to nurture talent at the grassroots, instill confidence, and create pathways for young athletes to compete at the highest levels. We believe in empowering the youth of Odisha with the skills and discipline to succeed, both in sports and in life,” said Gupta.
Echoing similar sentiments, Jeebananda Mohanty, Vice President, District Hockey Association, Odisha, commended Vedanta’s initiative, stating, “The Vedanta Martial Arts Training Centre is a significant step toward developing young athletes in the region. We appreciate Vedanta’s commitment to improving sports infrastructure and creating new opportunities for local talent to thrive. This centre will help showcase Jharsuguda’s potential on national and international sports stages.”
Susanta Gupta, Head Coach of the Training Centre, highlighted the broader impact of martial arts training, saying, “Martial arts is not just about learning self-defence; it’s about cultivating character, perseverance, and a spirit of excellence. With this initiative, we aim to develop skilled martial artists who will shine on national and international platforms, bringing pride to Jharsuguda and beyond.”
Vedanta Aluminium has been actively engaged in various social interventions across Jharsuguda, impacting nearly 80 villages and benefiting over 3 lakh people annually. Its initiatives span education, healthcare, livelihood enhancement, skill development, grassroots sports, art & culture, and the empowerment of women and children. The company supports almost 5,000 women through over 490 Self-Help Groups, provides doorstep healthcare services to nearly 50,000 people annually, and offers educational support to more than 13,000 students. Additionally, Vedanta has undertaken significant afforestation efforts, planting nearly 1.50 lakh trees in partnership with local communities.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest aluminium producer, manufacturing over half of the country’s aluminium output, with a production of 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. A leader in value-added aluminium products essential to core industries, the company ranks second in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 world rankings for the aluminium industry, reflecting its commitment to sustainable development. With world-class aluminium smelters, an alumina refinery, and power plants in India, Vedanta Aluminium continues to drive the emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
