Lanjigarh, 11/09/25 – Kalahandi, once synonymous with drought, hunger, and hardship, is slowly reshaping its identity through stories of resilience and achievement. At the heart of this transformation lies an unlikely ally, sports. In a district where opportunities were once scarce, the Sports Training Initiative of Vedanta Aluminium, launched in 2018 at its Lanjigarh operations, has become a powerful driver of change.
The programme, which began as a modest attempt to engage rural children in structured physical activity, has today evolved into a platform of empowerment. Currently, 80 children- 40 in archery and 40 in athletics, are undergoing professional coaching. The initiative provides them with not only expert guidance but also quality kits, training infrastructure, and nutritional support, elements often inaccessible in rural belts. More than 300 youngsters have already benefitted since inception, many of whom now serve as role models in their villages.
The results are telling. In the academic year 2024–25 alone, trainees secured 37 state-level medals, represented Odisha 20+ times at the national stage, and even clinched a national podium finish, a remarkable feat for a region where competitive sports had little presence until a few years ago. This momentum was further reinforced when 21 archers recently qualified for the 26th Odisha State Open Archery Meet 2025, sparking celebration across the community.
Speaking about this achievement, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya, CEO of Vedanta Alumina, Lanjigarh, said, “This is a proud moment for the community. Our endeavour is to nurture grassroots talent, instil confidence, and create platforms for them to shine. Sports not only builds discipline and focus but also opens doors to opportunities that can transform lives.”
But the sports initiative is only a fragment of Vedanta Aluminium’s wider social impact vision in Odisha. The company has touched the lives of 4.5 lakh people across 500 villages, working in critical areas such as education, healthcare, livelihood promotion, infrastructure, and cultural preservation. Its flagship Nand Ghar project has already established 531 modernised anganwadis in Odisha, significantly strengthening the foundations of women and child development.
For Kalahandi’s youth, the archery bows and running tracks symbolise more than just sports, they represent a gateway to dreams once thought impossible. Children from farming and daily-wage labour households are now wearing state colours, standing on podiums, and daring to dream of representing India on the global stage. Parents, once sceptical, are now enthusiastic supporters, realising that sports can carve alternate futures for their children.
By combining grassroots sports training with community development, Vedanta Aluminium is creating not just athletes but changemakers. The programme has transformed sports into a collective aspiration—one that unites villages, inspires hope, and strengthens the social fabric.
In a district that has long yearned for recognition beyond its struggles, these young athletes are now scripting a new narrative of pride, resilience, and ambition. And behind them stands a corporate initiative that proves how targeted interventions can alter the course of entire generations.
The story of Kalahandi’s budding archers and runners is not just about medals, it is about empowerment, dignity, and the courage to dream bigger.
