Vedanta’s Nand Ghar partners in implementing ‘Advika’ Project for adolescent girls in Kalahandi and Rayagada
5th February 2021
Lanjigarh, Kalahandi District, Odisha; — February 2021: Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh, the premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina in India, has joined hands with the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) under Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. of Odisha for the implementation of the recently launched program ‘Advika’ in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts through its Nand Ghars, located in these locations. This program has been designed with the objective to reduce risks and vulnerability of all adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years and making them self-reliant, empowered and sustainable by renewing commitments towards adolescent girls.
Vedanta, through its implementing agency, Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT), has started supporting the competent and skilled team of anganwadi workers in their endeavour to execute the project in both the districts. The Nand Ghars, equipped with modern infrastructure and efficient human resource, are extending support in the implementation of the Advika program, through community mobilization and knowledge sharing by organizing door-to-door visits, quizzes and feedback sessions. Vedanta aims at covering around 1000 adolescent girls in both Kalahandi and Rayagada by reaching out to them with the unique tools designed to attain the objectives of the program. These tools include the 12-month calendar with various sessions on adolescent sexual & reproductive health, nutrition, safety and wellbeing, rights and entitlements, gender-based violence, financial literacy, marriage and relationship; a package of short films with the awareness messages and ‘Kishori Card’, which records the body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin level and sessions of training undertaken by the respective beneficiaries.
Informing about Vedanta’s association with this initiative, Mr. Rakesh Mohan, Chief Operating Officer, Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh unit said, “Vedanta Lanjigarh has always given priority towards empowering the community members with adequate knowledge and timely information that can change their life and lifestyle. We have moved a step further in this directon by joining our hands with the Ministry of Women and Child Development for the implementation of this unique project for the adolescent girls, who form a very important part of the population that sorrounds our activity. The program ‘Advika’, having a very apt tagline- ‘Every girl is unique’ would definitely Enhance the life skills of girls and pave the way to live a more dignified life. We are proud to be a part of this program through our Nand Ghars.”
Appreciaing the efforts of Vedanta, Lanjigarh, Ms. Tuni Sethi, Anganwadi Worker, Kumudabali said, “Vedanta Lanjigarh has always taken up initiatives towards improving the lives of the community members by implementing innovative CSR projects and also by introducing us with various government scemes designed for community development. The implementation of Advika project by Vedanta Nand Ghar will help in enhancing the lives of the adolescent girls by empowering them with the skills and knowledge to stand for their own rights and take proper care of their health. This will also help in addressing the issues like child marriage, domestic violence and education drop out in this region.”
Vedanta’s social interventions in the domains of sustainable livelihood, women empowerment, quality education, health, water and sanitation, bio-investment and community infrastructure reach out to a total of 69 villages in Lanjigarh and nearby areas, benefiting about a lakh people in a year. It empowers more than 3000 women from 305 self-help groups (SHGs), provides healthcare services to about 30,000 people annually, gives educational support to more than 2800 students, has planted more than 5.4 lakh trees in the community, and built 500 plus infrastructural projects at community level.
Vedanta is the largest producer of aluminium in India and remains the premier manufacturer of metallurgical grade alumina. The company operates a 2 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) capacity alumina refinery in Lanjigarh (Kalahandi district, Odisha), India since 2007 and an associated 90 MW captive power plant.
About Vedanta Limited:
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa and Namibia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector. Vedanta is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner and has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company’s flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars, have been set up as model anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, the Vedanta group has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on social impact programmes with a thrust on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grass-root level sports. Vedanta and the group companies have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and was conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, Golden Peacock Award for excellence in Corporate Governance 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work 2022. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com
About Vedanta Aluminium Business:
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. 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.
For more information, please log on to www.vedantaaluminium.com
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