The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
SUNDARGARH, MAR 13, 2024
Vedanta Aluminium’s groundbreaking initiative, ‘Project Panchhi’, has spread its wings to empower young girls in Sundargarh, marking a significant step towards fostering inclusivity and opportunity in the region. Spearheaded by Vedanta’s visionary Chairman, Anil Agarwal, this transformative project aims to provide educational and employment avenues for 1000 girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds across India.
With a sharp focus on addressing the educational and career aspirations of girls facing financial and social constraints, Vedanta Aluminium is committed to breaking down barriers hindering their pursuit of higher education and fulfilling careers. Through Project Panchhi, the company pledges financial support for their higher education and subsequent employment opportunities within its diverse businesses upon successful completion of their studies.
In its latest phase, 16 deserving girls from Sundargarh district have been selected to participate in this life-changing project. They were presented with acceptance letters by Sundargarh Sub Collector Dasarathi Saraboo and felicitated by Vedanta Aluminium CEO (Mines) V Srikanth.
Since its inception, Project Panchhi has successfully identified over 200 talented girls from various regions, including Lanjigarh and Jharsuguda in Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. Vedanta Aluminium employs a rigorous selection process to ensure the most deserving candidates are chosen. Upon selection, these promising individuals receive sponsorship for their higher education at esteemed national institutions and later join Vedanta’s operations as graduate trainees in core functions.
Vedanta Aluminium CEO (Mines) V Srikanth emphasized the importance of Project Panchhi, stating, “Project Panchhi exemplifies our commitment to empowering women and ensuring that every girl, regardless of her background, can achieve greater heights. By conceptualizing our Chairman’s vision to create a more equitable world, this initiative is paving the way for these girls to not only complete their education but also embark on a journey towards a promising career. Through this project, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future.”
Expressing his appreciation for the initiative, Sundargarh Sub Collector Dasarathi Saraboo said, “I extend my hearty congratulations to the selected candidates for starting a new chapter in their life. I commend Vedanta for introducing such an initiative like Project Panchhi and urge them to extend this to all our villages in the future.”
Benu Mahar, father of one of the selected students, expressed gratitude to Vedanta Aluminium, stating, “I appreciate Vedanta Aluminium for this wonderful initiative, which is helping young girls fulfill their dreams. It will inspire girls in our district to pursue higher education, acquire skills, and achieve financial independence.”
Lakshmi Pradhan, one of the selected girls, shared her gratitude, saying, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Mines team of Vedanta Aluminium for envisioning and supporting initiatives like Project Panchhi. The program has instilled a sense of purpose within me. I am looking forward to following my dreams, and provide financial support to my loved ones, setting the stage for a brighter tomorrow.”
Vedanta Aluminium’s Mines Business is actively involved in driving community development through strategic interventions in education, healthcare, sustainable livelihood, rural infrastructure, and grassroots sports and culture. Notable among these efforts is the establishment of Vedanta Nand Ghars, modernized anganwadis serving as dynamic community hubs for the comprehensive development of children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, stands as India’s largest producer of aluminium, contributing significantly to the nation’s aluminium production. With its commitment to sustainable development practices and its mission to promote aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow, Vedanta Aluminium continues to lead the industry while positively impacting lives and communities across India.
