-CSR interventions by Vedanta Aluminium and FACOR transform 6.37 lakh lives in Odisha
Bhubaneswar: The Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the social impact arm of Vedanta Limited, has announced its impactful social initiatives for FY2023-24, contributing *437 crore to transform the lives of over 1.73 crore individuals across India. The Foundation's annual Social Impact Compendium, titled Nurturing, Transforming, Leading: India’s Growth Story & showcases its 153 high-impact social projects, which spanned over 1,200 villages and focused on key areas including education, healthcare, women and child development, skilling and livelihood, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.
Vedanta’s subsidiaries, Vedanta Aluminium with operations in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh, and FACOR with operations in Bhadrak made a significant impact on community lives in Odisha by benefitting 6.37 lakh lives.
Among the year and highlights is Anil Agarwal Foundation’s flagship women & child project Nand Ghar which reported a network of 6,044 modern Anganwadis centres across 14 states, including 531 Nand Ghars in the state of Odisha. Nand Ghars across India lend support to 238,161 children and 178,620 women with essential services like early childhood education, nutrition, healthcare, and skill development for women
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Ltd. and Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Ltd, emphasized the Foundation’s holistic approach to community development, "At Vedanta, our core philosophy of Artha (the value we create) and Dharma (the value we give back) guides our commitment to empowering communities. Every initiative we undertake-from child nutrition and healthcare to skills development & livelihood to sports promotion, cultural preservation and more-aligns with our vision of an empowered, inclusive India.
One inspiring story is of 34-year-old Prasanta Kumar Pusika from Lanjigarh, who lost his left limb and hand in a rail accident. This tragedy forced him to abandon his studies and struggle with mobility and independence. Vedanta, in collaboration with the Jaipur Foot Organisation, provided him with a scientifically engineered prosthetic limb, enabling him to regain mobility and rebuild his life. Today, Prasanta actively contributes to his family, exemplifying the transformative power of Vedanta’s initiatives.
Another empowering journey is of Puspalata Mohanta, a resident of Kaliapani village. Facing severe economic challenges due to limited opportunities, Puspalata joined the paper plates production unit established by Vedanta’s FACOR in partnership with Gayatri Self-Help Group (SHG). The unit received essential training, raw materials, and marketing support for the effective production. This initiative marked a turning point in her life, enabling her to provide for her family while breaking free from traditional, stigmatized societal norms. By providing the necessary tools and support, Vedanta drove a meaningful change and improved Puspalata’s quality of life.
Odisha’s rich sports culture continues to thrive under Vedanta’s initiatives. The Vedanta Sports Development Initiative in Lanjigarh has tapped into the natural athleticism of tribal communities, focusing on archery and karate. Over 300 young athletes have been trained, with 110 currently receiving professional coaching in archery and karate in Kalahandi. Athletes from the academy brought home 11 national-level medals at the 13th All India Karate Championship.
Vedanta, through its social impact arm, has also been committed to preserving India’s rich cultural heritage by empowering indigenous artisans. Project Adikala launched by Vedanta Lanjigarh, preserves and promotes Odisha’s ancient indigenous artforms, Dhokra and Saura, dating back over 4,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilisation. FACOR’s Kala Kendra trained 10 community women in local bamboo arts & crafts.
In the realm of women empowerment, Subhalaxmi Udyogini, the largest women’s cooperative in Western Odisha with 4,700 members across 434 self-sustained and self-managed SHGs, supported by Vedanta Aluminium Jharsuguda, provided microfinance services worth 12.9 Mn to 865 members in FY 2024, totalling 393.6 Mn to 19,660 members to date. This and many other projects by Vedanta, such as Sakhi and FACOR Sathi Pragati, are supporting women across the state.
Under healthcare, one noteworthy initiative is the Nikshay-Mitra initiative which supported 30 Tuberculosis (TB) B patients in Bhadrak with diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational aid through TB kits. 246 mobile health camps by FACOR provided free checkups, consultations, and basic medicines to 15,238 beneficiaries in plant and mine CSR operational areas.
Vedanta also came to the rescue of 2023 Balasore train tragedy survivors by distributing food packets and helping the injured.
Vedanta Ltd, one of the world’s leading players in critical minerals, energy, and technology, continues to make a tangible social impact through its 19 subsidiaries, with an operational presence in multiple states across India. The company has committed to a 5,000 crore investment over the next five years to deepen its CSR initiatives and strengthen its focus on creating a sustainable, inclusive future. Vedanta Aluminium, a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, is amongst the world’s top aluminium producers, and India’s largest producer of aluminium, catering to discerning customers in nearly 60 countries. Ferro Alloys Corporation Limited (FACOR), is a leading producer of High Carbon Ferrochrome in India. Both, Vedanta Aluminium & FACOR have been focused on driving sustainable growth while fostering socio economic development in Odisha.
Key Statistics of AAF’s Social Impact in FY2023-24;
*437 crore invested in over 153 social projects across India
Benefited 1.73 crore individuals in 1,200+ villages
Supported 6,044 Nand Ghars, impacting 238,161 children and 178,620 women Benefitted 1.48 lakh animals through its animal welfare projects
Supported 17 lakh individuals through healthcare initiatives
Improved community infrastructure for 5.22 lakh people
Key Highlights of Vedanta Aluminium and FACOR’s Social Impact in Odisha state:
531 Nand Ghars across Odisha provide essential services such as early childhood nutrition, healthcare, and skilling for women.
education,
Vedanta Lanjigarh & Sports Development Initiative has trained over 300 young athletes, with 110 excelling in archery and karate. Athletes from the academy brought home 11 national-level medals at the 13th All India Karate Championship.
Through Jeevika Samriddhi, Vedanta Jharsuguda helped 545 farming households across three villages, see a 45% increase in productivity and 20% reduction in costs through System of Rice Intensification (SRI) paddy cultivation.
Subhalaxmi Udyogini provided microfinance services worth 12.9 Mn to 865 members in FY 2024
Training by Vedanta Skill Development Initiative in trades such as housekeeping attendant, food & beverage steward, sewing machine operator and electrician helped 235 youths get successful placement in leading restaurants and textile outlets, with 80% securing jobs at an average annual package of 1.50 lakh..
Kalahandi based 20 bedded Vedanta Hospital and MSJK Hospital provided quality healthcare to 76,247 people in FY 2024.
Through Vedanta Lanjigarh’s Sakhi project, 38.4 Mn was secured from banks, government schemes, NBFC-MFIS, and non-profits for 336 SHGs, benefitting 1,174 women members. Through FACOR Sathi Shiksha Amrit Pariyojana, 3 science labs were established to enhance STEM education, in Jajpur and Bhadrak, benefitting 288 students.
For more details on AAF & initiatives, visit: https://www.vedantalimited.com/uploads/investor overview/annual-report/aaf-social-impact-compendium-2023-2024.pdf
You may flip through the book at: https://heyzine.com/flip book/3190307616.html
