The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, October 24, 2024 (TBB Bureau): In a bid to strengthen community health and create lasting benefits for children and their families, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has launched an expanded immunization drive in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH. This extended initiative aims to scale up the ‘Swarna Prasan’ immunization programme across the districts of Kalahandi, Koraput, and Rayagada in Odisha, targeting to benefit 30,000 children by the end of the year.
The latest phase of the drive was flagged off in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, reaching over 3,700 students across 10 schools. The flagship event took place at Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Braja Vihar, where notable attendees included Dr. Minakshi Bedbak, District AYUSH Medical Officer, Dr. Kshtera Kand, Ayurvedic Medical Officer, and Manoj Kumar Mundan, Principal of Saraswati Shishu Mandir.
Speaking on the initiative, Vedanta Aluminium COO, Sunil Gupta, highlighted the company’s commitment to improving community well-being, especially the health of children. “Through our collaboration with the Government of Odisha and the Ministry of AYUSH, we aim to enhance the health and well-being of communities through age-old, traditional practices. The ‘Swarna Prasan’ initiative reflects our dedication to improving child health while respecting community values,” he stated.
Gupta further emphasized Vedanta’s holistic approach, adding, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we believe that investing in the well-being and development of children is crucial, and we are eager to witness the positive transformations, shaping future generations.”
Nitin Kumar Tiwari, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium’s Bauxite Mines, shed light on the broader impact of the initiative, saying, “We had launched this initiative in September, benefiting around 1,000 students. Now, with this extended drive, we aim to expand the Swarna Prasan programme to benefit 30,000 children, from infants to 16-year-olds, across Koraput, Kalahandi, and Rayagada by the end of this year.”
Swarna Prasan, a time-honored Ayurvedic practice, is known for its immunity-boosting and cognitive-enhancing properties.
Emphasizing the significance of the initiative, Dr. Minakshi Bedbak, District AYUSH Medical Officer said, “Swarna Prasan is a time-tested Ayurvedic practice, and its multiple benefits in boosting immunity and cognitive function in children are well-documented. Vedanta Aluminium’s support in bringing such impactful health interventions to underserved regions is commendable.”
The initiative was met with heartfelt gratitude from local educators. Manoj Kumar Mundan, Principal of Saraswati Shishu Mandir, expressed his appreciation, saying, “Vedanta is not only enhancing the health of our students but also educating the community about traditional wellness practices. We are grateful for Vedanta’s unwavering support toward the holistic development of children in the region.”
As Vedanta Aluminium continues to prioritize the well-being of communities, the Swarna Prasan drive stands as a testament to the company’s dedication to sustainable and impactful health interventions. Through this initiative, the company aims to forge a brighter and healthier future for children across the state, paving the way for generations of empowered and healthy youth.
