Bhawanipatna (Odisha) [India], May 17: To foster entrepreneurship among rural women, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has extended critical support to self-help groups (SHGs) in Gunpur village in Kalahandi district of Odisha. By providing essential machinery for chappal making, paper plate production, and rice milling, this initiative is designed to drive income generation, promote microenterprise development, and enable long-term financial independence for women in the region.
The company also organized a comprehensive workshop on financial independence for 45 women from three SHG groups. This workshop focussed on key areas such as income-generating activities, marketing, and sales skills. Guided by experts, the sessions equipped participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to manage their enterprises effectively and confidently work towards achieving financial autonomy.
Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Vedanta Aluminium, emphasized, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we are steadfast in our commitment to empowering women to realise their full potential. Our initiatives in Kalahandi and across Odisha reflect our dedication to fostering gender inclusivity and nurturing women entrepreneurs. In regions where women were once forced into heartbreaking choices, like selling their children for survival, they are now stepping into roles as confident, financially independent changemakers, transforming not just their own lives but those of their entire communities.”
Kalendiri Dhangadamajhi, Secretary, Maa Lankeswari Self Help Group, expressed, “We are grateful for Vedanta’s steadfast commitment to empowering SHG groups economically and helping secure livelihoods. Their support has not only provided us with the necessary equipment but also empowered us with skills to build sustainable businesses.”
Kalahandi district was once synonymous with poverty and deprivation. The district has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades with Vedanta’s presence in Lanjigarh serving as a key catalyst. The commissioning of Vedanta’s greenfield alumina refinery in 2003 sparked a wave of socio-economic progress, driving advancements in healthcare, education, infrastructure, sustainable livelihood generation, and grassroots sports across the district. Today, Kalahandi is home to one of the most comprehensive CSR ecosystems in the region.
Through programs like Project Panchhi and Project Shree Shakti, Vedanta Aluminium continues to empower women from rural and marginalized communities with education, employment opportunities, and flexible workplace policies.
Vedanta Aluminium remains dedicated to empowering local communities through promoting grassroots sports and culture, education, infrastructure, health interventions, and fostering opportunities for holistic development. These efforts underline Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to driving transformation within and beyond its operational areas, fostering a sense of community contribution towards the overall growth and advancement of Odisha. By collaborating closely with local authorities and community stakeholders, the company ensures its interventions lead to tangible socio-economic progress. Rooted in the ethos of care and partnership, Vedanta’s social impact initiatives have touched the lives of 1.5 lakh people across 67 villages of Kalahandi and 5 lakh people across 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., 2.42 million tonnes in FY2025. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading 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.
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