Vedanta Aluminium expands ‘Project Panchhi’ initiative for empowering girls to Sundargarh, Odisha

Bhubaneswar,13^th March 2024; Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, hascommenced the latest phase of its groundbreaking Project Panchhi initiative in Sundargarh, Odisha. Conceptualized under the visionary leadership of Vedanta’s Chairman, Mr. Anil Agarwal, Project Panchhi is an innovative corporate recruitment drive that aims to employ 1000 girls from economically backward communities from across India in its diverse businesses.

The initative focuses on addressing the educational and employment needs of girls who are likely to opt out from pursuing further studies and a fulfilling career, owing to financial and social constraints. The company will provide them with the required financial support to complete their higher education, and on successful completion provide them with employment opportunities within its operations.

16 girls from across Sundargarh district have been selected in the latest phase of the project. They were handed the letters by Mr. Dasarathi Saraboo, OAS,Sub Collector, Sadar, Sundargarh and felicitated by Mr. V Srikanth, CEO (Mines) – Vedanta Aluminium.

So far, over 200 girlshave been selected through Project Panchhi across Vedanta’s operations, including Lanjigarh, Jharsuguda and Chhattisgarh. To ensure the selection of the most suitable candidates, Vedanta Aluminium has implemented a rigorous process. Once selected, the promising candidates will be sponsored for their higher education in renowned national institutions and, upon successful completion of their degrees, they will formally join Vedanta’s operations as graduate trainees in core operations.

Underscoring the importance of the Project, Mr. V Srikanth, CEO (Mines) – Vedanta Aluminium, “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.”

Mr. Dasarathi Saraboo, OAS, Sub Collector, Sadar, Sundargarh, expressed, “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, said “I extend my appreciation to Vedanta Aluminium for this wonderful initiative, which is helping young girls realize their dreams. It will encourage girls from our district to pursue higher education, learn skills and financially empower themselves.”

Lakshmi Pradhan, one of the girls selected as part of the recruitment drive added, “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 at the forefront of driving community development through strategic interventions in education, healthcare, sustainable livelihood, rural infrastructure, and grassroots sports and culture. A notable initiative among these is the establishment of Vedanta Nand Ghars, modernised anganwadis serving as dynamic community hubs for the comprehensive development of children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers by offering early education, quality healthcare and nutritional support. These efforts underline the company’s commitment to positively impact lives within and beyond its operational areas, fostering a sense of community contribution towards the overall growth and advancement of the state. Through close collaboration with local authorities, welfare organisations, and community members, Vedanta Aluminium actively steers socio-economic transformation in rural Odisha.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.