Vedanta Lanjigarh’s stellar showcase emerges a major draw at Kalahandi Utsav 2024

Vedanta Lanjigarh participated in the popular annual cultural event, showcasing several key initiatives being undertaken by the company to preserve Odisha’s art forms

Lanjigarh, Kalahandi District, Odisha, 31^st January 2024 – Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh, India’s premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, participated in the 26^th edition of ‘Kalahandi Utsav – Ghumura’24’, organised in Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Kalahandi, Odisha. The annual event, which celebrates the diverse art, culture, music, literature, and handicrafts of the region, draws inspiration from ‘Ghumura’, the traditional folk dance that encapsulates the cultural identity of Kalahandi. Vedanta Lanjigarh’s stall at the event presented a captivating fusion of heritage art showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of Odisha along with product exhibits that demonstrated its extensive manufacturing prowess.

The stall featured an engaging demonstration of Vedanta Aluminium’s product journey, showcasing the transformation of bauxite into high-quality aluminium products, in addition to vibrant displays of its social impact initiatives in the realm of education, health, and skill trainings. The exhibits also included a display of several handmade and packaged products developed under Project ‘Sakhi’, an initiative by Vedanta Aluminium empowering over 4000 women in rural Odisha through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing several avenues for entrepreneurship.

The stall attracted over 10,000 visitors during the festival and was also graced by dignitaries such as Ms. P Anwesha Reddy, District Collector, Kalahandi and Mr. G. Abhilash, Superintendent of Police, Kalahandi. During the event, Vedanta Lanjigarh also felicitated students who had emerged as district toppers in their 10^th standard board exams through the Vedanta Gyanshree Award, encouraging students from rural communities to pursue higher education.

Mr. Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO- Alumina Business, Vedanta Ltd, said, “The Kalahandi Utsav is a memorable celebration for all of us and a notable platform for Vedanta Lanjigarh to reiterate its commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of Odisha, through its myriad arts and crafts. Through our operations and focused social impact endeavors, we strive to work towards the socio-economic development of Kalahandi.”

Vedanta Lanjigarh’s commitment to preserving and promoting Kalahandi’s artistic traditions was evident in the heritage art displays at its stall. These were created by artisans trained under Vedanta Lanjigarh’s Dhokra and Saura art revival programs, which have proven instrumental in popularising these fading artforms among the present generation. These programs are not only helping revive two of the oldest art forms in India, but are also creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for over 200 families in the region by increasing the incomes of the rural artisans.

Shri Manoj Kumar Behera, District Information & Public Relations Officer, Kalahandi, said, “The Kalahandi Utsav is a significant event that people look forward to every year. Vedanta Lanjiagarh’s showcase at the Kalahandi Utsav proves their strong dedication to continuous community engagement and assimilation into the cultural fabric of Kalahandi. I appreciate the company’s unwavering commitment to the growth and development of Kalahandi.”

Vedanta Lanjigarh’s social interventions in the domains of sustainable livelihood, quality education, women empowerment, health, water and sanitation and community infrastructure reach out to over 67 villages and nearby areas. It empowers more than 4000 women from over 378 SHGs; provides qualitative and doorstep healthcare services to about 60,000 people annually. The company also established Lanjigarh’s first English-medium school – DAV Vedanta International School and has nurtured 4000 children and 800 women in over 200 Nand Ghars, which are modernized anganwadis that act as hubs of community development. Moreover, it has provided support to more than 200 youths through several sports and skills training initiatives.