Sijimali (Rayagada, Odisha), December 13, 2024: Vedanta Aluminium has reaffirmed its commitment to quality education by providing school kits to more than 4,000 students across 50+ schools in the districts of Rayagada, Kalahandi, and Jharsuguda. The initiative, covering villages around the Kuraloi and Sijimali mining areas, is aimed at empowering children from remote communities with the resources they need to pursue their studies confidently.
The comprehensive school kits include a school bag, water bottle, notebooks, a geometry box, and other stationery items. For many families in these rural regions, securing even basic educational materials poses a challenge. By addressing this gap, Vedanta Aluminium has not only reduced financial pressures on parents but has also created an enabling environment for children to engage more actively in classroom learning.
Sharing his perspective, Janmejaya Sabar, Headmaster of Kathaghara High School, expressed, “Vedanta Aluminium’s provision of study kits is immensely valuable. Many of our students have long struggled with limited resources, which often disrupts their education. These kits will bring meaningful change by ensuring that every child has the basic tools to learn and grow.”
The distribution reached multiple villages located near Vedanta’s Kuraloi coal mine operations. Beneficiaries included children from Kudaloi (Kudaloi GP), Piplimal, Liakhai, Ujalpur, Ulap (Piplimal GP), Banjari, Grindola, Chaurimahul, Bartap (Banjari GP), and Ward No. 17 under Belpahar Municipality. Teachers and parents in these areas have already noted an improvement in attendance and participation, demonstrating how such small but essential interventions can transform education outcomes.
This effort is part of Vedanta Aluminium’s larger vision of improving educational access in rural Odisha. Education remains one of the core pillars of the company’s community development agenda, alongside healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, infrastructure development, and the promotion of sports and culture. Each of these initiatives is designed to address critical gaps and uplift the overall quality of life for communities living in proximity to the company’s operations.
In healthcare, Vedanta operates mobile health units that regularly visit rural pockets, conducting free medical check-ups and raising awareness about preventive health practices. On the livelihood front, the company supports various skill development programs, empowering youth and women to achieve economic independence. Within education, programs like the school kit distribution directly tackle barriers that prevent children from staying in school and continuing their studies.
Vedanta Aluminium’s holistic approach reflects its belief that socio-economic progress is best achieved when communities grow in tandem with industrial development. Through close collaboration with local authorities, welfare organizations, and grassroots leaders, the company continues to deliver sustainable solutions that positively impact thousands of lives. The school kit initiative is a shining example of this philosophy—helping build a stronger educational foundation for the next generation while fostering long-term community transformation in Odisha.
