Lanjigarh (Kalahandi), Odisha, 25/04/2025: In the rugged terrains of Kalahandi, a quiet transformation is underway—one arrow at a time. Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has teamed up with Olympian archer Rahul Banerjee to harness the power of sports as a tool for empowerment. Their shared mission: to identify and train over 80 tribal youths in the art of archery, giving them a chance to shoot for national and international recognition.
For the tribal communities in and around Lanjigarh, archery is not just a sport—it’s becoming a path to dignity, opportunity, and pride. Since 2018, Vedanta’s grassroots initiative has been scouting raw talent from remote villages and equipping them with professional training, infrastructure, and mentorship. The results are compelling: over 100 local youths have been transformed into competitive archers, with more than 40 medals won at the state and national level just last year.
Rahul Banerjee, the initiative’s prime mentor and an eight-time national champion, believes this is only the beginning. “Kalahandi is rich with untapped potential in archery. With the right guidance, these youngsters can not only dream big but also deliver on the global stage,” he said.
Rajiv Kumar, COO of Vedanta Aluminium, added, “We see sports as a bridge between talent and transformation. This initiative reflects our deep-rooted commitment to uplifting the communities where we operate.”
As archery finds its place in the hearts and aspirations of tribal youth, it’s clear that in Kalahandi, development is taking aim—with precision and purpose.
