Press Releases

BALCO’s Wish Tree Initiative Spreads Joy Among Children in Neighboring Communities

Balconagar, February 12, 2024: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a subsidiary of Vedanta Aluminium, organized its annual Wish Tree Campaign to spread joy among community members in its vicinity. The Wish Tree Campaign seeks to bring happiness to children in communities by collecting their gift wishes and fulfilling them through the generous participation of BALCO’s employee volunteers.

Now in its third consecutive year, this initiative witnessed active participation yet again from both BALCO’s employees and community members spread across 16 neighboring villages, with over 400 heartfelt wishes collected. The wishes primarily came from children in the 3-10 years age group. These children expressed simple desires, ranging from pencil boxes, clothing, schoolbags, to shoes and other necessities. More than 260 BALCO employees stepped forward to help spread the culture of giving and personally fulfilled these wishes, by purchasing and distributing the gifts and being rewarded with a profound sense of satisfaction.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director, BALCO, said, “At BALCO, we are unwavering in our commitment to make a positive impact on the lives of our local communities through robust community development programs. Recognizing children as the architects of our future, we understand the vital role of nurturing their potential through initiatives both big and small, encouraging the holistic development of the community. We have also instilled among our employees a culture of giving back to the community, showcased through innovative initiatives such as the Wish Tree Campaign.”

Shivraj Singh Rathiya, Sarpanch of Chuiya village, appreciating the initiative said, “BALCO’s impactful Wish Tree initiative resonates deeply with our community. The company’s initiatives empower our children, and through this campaign, dreams are not only fulfilled but also encouraged. Through such efforts, BALCO’s commitment to empowerment of our future generations is very evident.”

In addition to the Wish Tree initiative, BALCO’s employees are actively contributing to the holistic development of children in communities through a range of participatory and volunteering activities. From summer camps to winter camps and science exhibitions, BALCO employees actively support a diverse array of skill-building and personality development activities. Throughout the year, employees also conduct remedial classes for children in government schools under Project Connect, BALCO’s dedicated CSR intervention aimed at improving student grades, building teacher capacity, and offering career counseling through employee volunteerism.

BALCO’s steadfast dedication to deploying comprehensive child development initiatives is a testament to its commitment to nurturing a better tomorrow. Through its ongoing community development initiatives, BALCO continues to transform the lives of approximately 1.5 lakh people residing in 123 villages within its operational vicinity.

Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) is India’s iconic aluminium producer. It is owned 51% by Vedanta Limited and 49% by the Government of India. BALCO is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest manufacturer of aluminium. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. BALCO operates a 0.57 million tonne per annum aluminium smelter in Korba, Chhattisgarh. It is also a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. With its world-class smelter and power plants, the company fulfills its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.