Vedanta Aluminium supports mega Science Exhibition, encourages STEM education in rural Odisha
23rd November 2023
BiIaimunda, Sundargarh, Odisha; 23rd November, 2023 – Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, recently supported the Rashtriya Bal Vaigyanik Pradarshani (National Young Scientist Exhibition), a national-level initiative by the National Council Of Educational Research & Training (NCERT), organised in Hemgir Block, Sundargarh district, Odisha. By regularly encouraging impactful educational initiatives such as this exhibition and the Suravi Children’s Festival also held recently, Vedanta Aluminium demonstrates its commitment to transformative community development by building wider access to quality education and empowering young minds.
Hosted by the Govt. Higher Secondary School, Luabahal, the single-day event saw the enthusiastic participation of more than 200 students who exhibited over 284 projects. The students were drawn from classes 1 to 10 across 147 schools. In addition, numerous school officials, parents, and exhibition visitors were also present. The young students exhibited a deep awareness of their world through their exhibits, leveraging the possibilities of science to demonstrate unique solutions for society’s needs, particularly in their immediate context. The exhibits thus included themes such as simplifying mathematical concepts, the importance of proper nutrition, the potential of solar energy, waste disposal systems, and even innovative recipes for using millets as a superfood. By supporting their efforts, the company also seeks to inspire students in remote and rural hinterlands to opt for higher education avenues in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) areas, and aspire for careers in the field.
Highlighting Vedanta Aluminium’s community focused initiatives, Mr. V Srikanth, CEO (Mines), Vedanta Ltd – Aluminium Business stated, “Our support for initiatives such as the National Young Scientist Exhibition reaffirms our commitment to fostering an environment where the scientific curiosity of children in our communities can flourish, and actively contribute to the progress of the wider community. We firmly believe in the transformative power of education and initiatives like these lay the groundwork for a promising tomorrow, where infinite opportunities abound.”
Ms. Kunti Pradhan, Chairperson, Zila Parishad, Sundargarh, expressed her gratitude for Vedanta’s support, stating, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Vedanta for its invaluable support towards the success of the science exhibition in our block. Vedanta is a true community partner and has played a crucial role in empowering youth through their initiatives. Their commitment to support and foster a culture of scientific spirit among students is truly commendable.”
Vedanta Aluminium’s Mines Business is deeply committed to advancing community development through targeted interventions in education, healthcare, livelihood, infrastructure and grassroots sports. Among its noteworthy initiatives are the Vedanta Nand Ghars, modernised anganwadis serving as dynamic community hubs for the comprehensive development of children and women. The company has also provided essentials such as school bags to ensure students can avail of education opportunities. Further, Vedanta Aluminium also supports the holistic development of rural youths through several skill development programmes, and is also facilitating the development of grassroots sports through organising community tournaments and distributing sports kits.
Through these initiatives, the company actively enriches the lives of the community within its operational areas and beyond, recognizing community members as integral contributors to the collective growth and progress of the state. Collaborating closely with local authorities, welfare organisations, and community members, Vedanta is actively spearheading socio-economic transformations in rural Odisha, responding to the distinct needs of the communities, and working collaboratively to fulfil them and achieve progressive outcomes.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 world rankings for aluminium industry, a reflection of its 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.
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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This press release contains “forward-looking statements” – that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “should” or “will.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets including the London Metal Exchange, fluctuations in interest and or exchange rates and metal prices; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.
