The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, APR 13, 2023
In its endeavour to stoke curiosity and the desire to learn and create interest among the young generation in the aspirational districts, Aditya Birla Group’s Hindalco Industries Limited subsidiary Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL) has set up Pustakalayas (libraries) at its peripheral schools at Kashipur in Rayagada and Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi districts in Odisha.
These unique libraries are set up in both government and local schools — Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Tikiri; Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Kashipur; Govt. UGME School, Maikanch; Govt. High School, Hadiguda and Govt. High School, Adri; in association with New Delhi-based Angelique Foundation.
Project Pustakalaya intends to build meaningful and practical library spaces for students in middle and high schools between 10-17 age groups and to bring positive impact on their reading comprehension. Currently, more than 3500 school-going children avail of this service. Each library houses 250 books.
Books on history, science, general knowledge, fiction, politics, freedom fighters, and autobiographies are available in the library. The books are vibrant, child-friendly in content featured with beautiful drawings.
Commenting on the initiative, UAIL Unit Head and President Mazhar Beig said that Project ‘Pustakalaya’ will undoubtedly have a positive impact and raise the educational standards of the pupils in this isolated tribal hinterland. He advised the students and teachers to make the most of the facility. “Our mission is to raise the bar of education and to bring in a positive behavioural change among the students living in the outlying areas,” Beig added.
The project impact is visible in the children’s reading, comprehension, and expression skills, which build their academic foundation and help them become independent and self-assured learners. At the Pustakalaya Project, more than 1200 students are now using the service. They have accumulated more than 200-plus learning hours since January 2023.
“Pustakalya has a multiple effect on students’ lives. We are really grateful to UAIL for setting up this library at our school. It only enhances the students’ knowledge,” said Sukanti Gouda, Hindi teacher at Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir in Kashipur.
“Pustakalya has a significant influence on students’ reading habits. Students are now more effectively utilising their free time and gaining knowledge by reading books on moral science as part of enjoyable learning methods,” commented Krushna Chandra Panda, Science teacher at Maikanch High School.
As a responsible corporate citizen, UAIL is committed towards socio-economic wellbeing and transforming the lives in the tribal hinterland. UAIL is relentlessly working to improve the Human Development Index of the community through various CSR, CR & Sustainability initiatives in 232 villages under 25 gram panchayats of Odisha reaching out to more than 2,01,000 people.
Under the stewardship of Rajashreeji Birla, in CSR engagements, the Group is involved in inclusive growth measures. It is active in the domain of education, healthcare, sustainable livelihood, infrastructure development and social reform in sync with the UNSDGs.
