The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
LANJIGARH, MAR 16, 2024
Vedanta Lanjigarh, a leading producer of metallurgical grade alumina and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, has recently unveiled the Vedanta Mini Science Centre at Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, Ambadola. This initiative aims to revolutionize traditional teaching methods and promote a comprehensive understanding of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects among students in rural Odisha, where access to scientific education resources is limited.
The Mini Science Centre boasts a diverse range of hands-on models, graphical explainers, plug & play systems, and interactive modules, presented in both English and regional languages. Catering to students from classes 5 to 10, the centre is poised to enhance the learning experience of over 600 students. It is meticulously designed to facilitate a deeper comprehension of challenging concepts, aligning with both Central and State-level school curricula while fostering self-directed and peer-to-peer learning.
This initiative resonates with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of Quality Education (Goal 4), reflecting Vedanta Lanjigarh’s commitment to inspiring rural students to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields.
Vedanta Ltd. CEO-Alumina Business, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, underscored the company’s dedication to promoting quality education, stating, “Through initiatives like Vedanta Mini Science Centre, Vedanta Lanjigarh strives to build wider access to quality education. By creating such platforms for the youth, we believe in the transformative power of education and the potential of these young minds to shape a better future. We believe this initiative will help foster an environment where the scientific curiosity of children in our communities can flourish, thereby actively contributing to the progress of the community as well as the nation.”
Rayagada district Assistant Block Education Officer, Sahadev Chichuan, expressed gratitude for Vedanta’s support, stating, “The Vedanta Mini Science Centre will serve as an invaluable platform for young minds to explore science, encouraging them to pursue higher education in related fields. Vedanta Lanjigarh has emerged as a true community partner, playing a pivotal role in empowering local communities through diverse initiatives.”
Beyond education, Vedanta Lanjigarh’s social interventions span sustainable livelihood, women empowerment, health, water, sanitation, and community infrastructure across 67 villages and nearby areas. The company empowers over 4000 women through 378 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and delivers qualitative healthcare services to approximately 60,000 people annually. Notably, Vedanta established Lanjigarh’s first English-medium school, the DAV Vedanta International School, nurturing over 4000 children and 800 women through 200 Nand Ghars equipped with modern facilities.
