Kalahandi (Odisha), May 17, 2025: In a determined effort to foster entrepreneurship and economic empowerment among rural women, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has extended crucial support to several self-help groups (SHGs) in Gunpur village of Odisha’s tribal-dominated Kalahandi district.
As part of its sustained commitment to community development and women-led growth, the company has provided essential machinery for chappal (slipper) making, paper plate production, and rice milling, enabling SHG members to embark on self-sustaining livelihood ventures. The initiative is strategically aimed at enhancing income generation, promoting microenterprise development, and paving the way for long-term financial independence among women in the region.
Complementing the infrastructure support, Vedanta Aluminium also organized an extensive workshop on financial independence and enterprise management for 45 women from three SHGs. Conducted by experts in the field, the sessions focused on practical aspects of entrepreneurship, including business planning, marketing, bookkeeping, and sales strategies, while also emphasizing confidence-building and decision-making skills. These interactive sessions equipped participants with the tools and mindset needed to run their enterprises effectively and pursue sustainable livelihoods.
Expressing her gratitude, Kalendiri Dhangada Majhi, Secretary of Maa Lankeswari SHG, said, “We are deeply grateful for Vedanta Aluminium’s support and dedication to empowering women in our community. The equipment provided will help us earn a steady income, while the training has given us the confidence and knowledge to manage our ventures independently. This initiative has truly given us hope and the strength to move towards a better future.”
Speaking on the company’s commitment to inclusive development, Mr. Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Vedanta Aluminium, stated, “We are steadfast in our mission to empower women to realise their full potential. Our efforts in Kalahandi and across Odisha reflect our vision of fostering gender inclusivity, strengthening rural entrepreneurship, and building self-reliant communities. Through such initiatives, we aim to create pathways for women to emerge as leaders of socio-economic change.”
He further added, “In regions that once struggled with heartbreaking realities, where poverty forced women into unimaginable choices, today, these same women are stepping forward as confident entrepreneurs and change-makers. They are not only transforming their own lives but also uplifting their families and entire communities through their determination and resilience.”
Today, Kalahandi stands as a model for Vedanta Aluminium’s comprehensive CSR ecosystem, which focuses on community empowerment, education, health, and sustainable livelihoods. Through flagship initiatives like ‘Project Panchhi’ and ‘Project Shree Shakti’, the company continues to create opportunities for women from rural and marginalized communities, offering them education, vocational training, and employment pathways.
By promoting entrepreneurship at the grassroots level, Vedanta Aluminium is enabling a new wave of women-led economic transformation in Odisha—one that is rooted in empowerment, equality, and sustainable growth.
