The Business Bytes
Jharsuguda, November 15, 2024 (TBB Bureau): On the occasion of Children’s Day on Thursday, the Anil Agarwal Foundation, Vedanta Group’s philanthropic arm, took a monumental step in community development by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the District Social Welfare Office (DSWO) to revamp 500 Anganwadi centers in Jharsuguda district into state-of-the-art ‘Nand Ghars’ – modernized Anganwadi centres that act as Vedanta’s flagship community initiative for promoting holistic development of women and children.
The significant MoU was signed in presence of Odisha’s Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, Collector and District Magistrate Aboli Naravane, District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Punyabati Helen Xess, and District Education Officer (DEO) Radhakanta Gartia. The signing ceremony, held at the MCL Community Centre in Beheramal, marked a significant stride towards holistic development for women and children in Odisha.
Speaking at the event, MLA Tankadhar Tripathy hailed the initiative, stating, “This precious partnership reflects a shared vision to enhance community resources at the grassroots level. With these upgrades, the ‘Nand Ghars’ will empower children and women alike, driving meaningful growth for the local communities in Jharsuguda district.”
Appreciating Vedanta’s developmental efforts in the district and emphasizing the transformative potential of the initiative, Collector Aboli Naravane said, “We welcome Vedanta’s support towards bringing transformative change to Jharsuguda district’s Anganwadi centers. The ‘Nand Ghar’ initiative would create not only centres of learning, but also safe spaces that could support the overall well-being and growth of children and women. This MoU is a significant step toward our shared vision of community empowerment.”
Highlighting Vedanta’s unwavering commitment to grassroots development, Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta, we are deeply committed to fostering sustainable development and inclusive growth in the communities we serve.”
“Through the ‘Nand Ghar’ initiative, we aim to provide our young generation and women with the necessary tools for a brighter future. We are proud to work alongside the Jharsuguda district authorities to bring this vision to life as well as ensure impactful and lasting progress in the region,” Gupta added.
The MoU-signing ceremony was complemented by a vibrant Children’s Day celebration, “Dukan Jatra”, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 3,500 attendees, including students from 60 schools, community members, and Vedanta Aluminium’s employee volunteers. The highlight of the event was an Entrepreneurship Showcase, featuring more than 60 stalls run by students. These stalls showcased self-made products ranging from handicrafts to food items, fostering creativity and entrepreneurial spirit among the young participants.
This landmark initiative underscores the Anil Agarwal Foundation’s dedication to fostering grassroots empowerment while transforming Jharsuguda’s Anganwadi centers into hubs of learning and development. With 500 Anganwadi centers set to become ‘Nand Ghars,’ the district is poised to witness a new era of community-driven progress and sustainable growth.
