Kalahandi,22/8: Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh, India’s premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina, recently organized an orientation program for the first batch of girls hired as part of its Project Panchhi initiative. This is a unique project conceptualized directly under the vision of Vedanta Group Chairman, Mr. Anil Agarwal. It aims to employ 1000 girls from disadvantaged communities across India who are at risk of dropping out of further studies due to economic or social constraints.
Based on a thorough recruitment criteria, Vedanta has identified 40 promising hires to join core operational roles at its world-class alumina refinery in Lanjigarh (Kalahandi district, Odisha). They will be endowed with the financial support needed to continue their studies and undergo courses in leading institutions of national repute. On the successful completion of their education programs, they will be formally absorbed into the company’s operations as graduate trainees.
The company recently organized a comprehensive orientation session to welcome the new trainees to Vedanta and acclimatize them to the environment within a major industrial operation. The orientation also included an interaction with the company’s leaders and functional experts, who explained the program structure to the trainees extensively. They also highlighted the end goal of the project, which is to empower young girls from rural areas for the overall benefit of their communities and towards contributing to nation-building.
The interaction was in a Q&A format, with the new hires actively encouraged to voice their queries and directly engage with various leaders from the organization. Project Panchhi is designed to be a unique opportunity for the new hires to attain hands-on learning experience and serve as an inspiration for thousands of other girls aspiring towards a career in the manufacturing industry.
Highlighting the impact of the project, Mr. GG Pal, Dy. CEO – Alumina Business, Vedanta Ltd., said, “At Vedanta Lanjigarh, we aim to empower women and children within our communities in the spheres of education, healthcare, livelihood, community infrastructure, skill development, grassroots sports, art & culture. Ensuring access to quality education is a proven step towards building avenues for social advancement. By ensuring that these girls have the opportunity to continue their studies and become gainfully employed, we are also helping preserve their right to define their own path in life and become role models for their peers.”
Anamika Bag, from Ambodala, Odisha, one of the girls selected under the program, expressed her delight, saying, “The company’s efforts to support young girls finally gives me a great chance to fulfil my dreams. I would often wonder while looking at Vedanta’s skyline from my house if I would ever get a chance to see the plant from inside. But today, I am happy to say that, yes, I will have a chance to visit and even be a part of it. This initiative will not only help me and my family prosper but will also be an opportunity for other young girls like me to build their careers and become self-independent.”
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 2nd in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 world rankings for aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. The company operates a 2 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) capacity alumina refinery in Lanjigarh (Kalahandi district, Odisha), India since 2007 and an associated 75 MW captive power plant. 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.