The Business Bytes
Jharsuguda, May 28, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, recently organized an engaging and insightful session with MV Murali Krishna, the esteemed coach of the India Para Badminton Team. The event, aimed at promoting grassroots sports and leveraging sports for community development, took place at Vedanta’s state-of-the-art township in Jharsuguda.
The session featured basic badminton training for children, followed by an interactive dialogue with Krishna, who shared his inspiring journey and insights on cultivating perseverance and ethics through sports. Known for training world-renowned badminton athletes such as Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Sai Praneet, and Satwik Sairaj, Krishna’s presence was a significant inspiration for the participants.
The event concluded with a goodwill badminton match between the senior management of Vedanta Jharsuguda, attracting substantial participation from employees and township residents.
Speaking at the session, Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Aluminium Business, emphasized the role of sports in community building. “Sports has the power to inspire and unite communities. Through this interactive badminton session, we aim to instil the values of perseverance, discipline, and teamwork in our young participants. Hosting Coach MV Murali Krishna is an incredible opportunity for our children to learn from one of the best. We are committed to creating more such opportunities for our youth to shine,” said Gupta.
MV Murali Krishna lauded Vedanta’s initiatives, stating, “Vedanta’s commitment to promoting grassroots sports is truly inspiring. Engaging with young talent and witnessing their passion for badminton has been incredibly rewarding. I wish them all the best.” Mr. Subham Sharma, Secretary of the Jharsuguda Badminton Association, added, “Vedanta’s support for grassroots sports is truly commendable. This interactive session with Coach MV Murali Krishna has been invaluable, inspiring the local youth and fostering their growth and enthusiasm for badminton. We look forward to having more such sessions in the future.”
Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to fostering grassroots sports and providing rural youth with broader opportunities is evident through its active nurturing of local hockey and football talent in Jharsuguda. The company has organized several events, including the District Mo-School Hockey Tournament and annual football tournaments for the local community. Additionally, Vedanta has sponsored the construction of a new administration building for the Jharsuguda District Athletics Association, further solidifying its support for local sports infrastructure.
The company’s townships are equipped with modern playgrounds and sports facilities, encouraging young people and residents to engage in sports and maintain an active lifestyle.
Vedanta’s social interventions span education, healthcare, livelihood, skill development, grassroots sports, art and culture, with a focus on women and child development. These efforts reach nearly 80 villages in Jharsuguda and nearby areas, benefiting over 300,000 people annually. The company empowers almost 5,000 women from over 350 Self-Help Groups (SHGs), provides healthcare services to about 50,000 people annually, supports over 13,000 students, and has planted nearly 150,000 trees in partnership with local communities.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing over 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It leads in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks first in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, reflecting its commitment to sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery, and power plants in India, the company aims to spur emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
