The Business Bytes
BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 2, 2024 (TBB BUREAU):
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, marked the 89th Utkal Divas by paying tribute to Odisha’s rich cultural legacy and reiterating its steadfast dedication to the state’s advancement. Festivities, spanning across Vedanta’s operations in Odisha, showcased a harmonious fusion of tradition, art, industrial innovation, and community welfare initiatives.
Utkal Divas, marking the foundation day of Odisha in 1936, was celebrated with grandeur at Vedanta’s Jharsuguda unit, the world’s largest single-location aluminium plant. Distinguished guests Padma Shri Mitrabhanu Gountia, the legendary poet behind the iconic ‘Rangabati’ lyric, and Professor Ashok Kumar Dash, an authority on Sambalpuri language, graced the occasion. Both luminaries spoke eloquently about ‘Odia Asmita’ or Odia pride, highlighting the state’s rich cultural heritage and aspirations. The evening concluded with a felicitation ceremony, captivating performances, traditional cuisine, and a cultural fancy dress competition, all resonating with the spirit of Utkal Divas.
At Vedanta’s Lanjigarh unit in Kalahandi district, India’s premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina, festivities unfolded in a day-long extravaganza celebrating the essence of Odia culture. Renowned singer Jyotirmoyee Nayak enthralled the audience with a stirring rendition of the state anthem ‘Bande Utkal Janani,’ accompanied by mesmerizing Odissi and Sambalpuri dance performances. KIIT and KISS Founder Achyut Samant graced the event as the chief guest, emphasizing Odisha’s transformation into an industrial powerhouse and its journey towards prosperity.
Vedanta Ltd., Jharsuguda CEO Sunil Gupta emphasized the significance of Utkal Divas for Vedanta, reaffirming the company’s commitment to celebrating Odisha’s rich heritage and fostering socio-economic development. “Utkal Divas is a momentous occasion for us. We are committed to celebrating the rich heritage of Odisha and its people, and these festivities are a testament to that. As Odisha’s long-term partner in progress, our initiatives are aimed at empowering local communities, nurturing the rich culture of the state, and creating lakhs of job opportunities. Under the able leadership of Shri Naveen Patnaik Ji, Odisha is on a tremendous growth path and it fills us with immense pride that the Vedanta Group’s largest-ever investment finds its home in this state. Today, thousands of industries have come up around our ventures, resulting in erstwhile remote places like Kalahandi coming into the socio-economic mainstream and enjoying multi-dimensional prosperity,” said Gupta.
This year’s Utkal Divas celebrations underscore Vedanta Aluminium’s unwavering dedication to Odisha’s advancement. The company’s multifaceted contributions encompass socio-economic development, education, healthcare, livelihood generation, skill development, sports, and art and culture initiatives, benefiting millions across the state. Vedanta Aluminium champions the preservation of Odia heritage, promotes traditional art forms, and nurtures sporting excellence, exemplified by initiatives like ‘Kaeunjuri,’ the world’s longest Sambalpuri theatre production lasting an impressive 49 hours. This initiative not only preserved traditional art forms but also conveyed contemporary messages to rural communities. Showcasing 100 Sambalpuri plays, the event attracted 4,000 spectators and secured a spot in the IEA Book of World Records, signifying a notable cultural landmark in Odia folk theatre history.
Vedanta Aluminium’s developmental efforts continue to uplift communities across Odisha, contributing to the state’s recognition on national and international platforms. The company remains steadfast in sustaining Odisha’s growth momentum, reflecting its unwavering commitment to the state’s prosperity.
