1st April 2025
Vedanta IOO Committed to a Prosperous Odisha
On 90th Odisha Dibasa, the company reaffirms its commitment to partnering the people of Odisha in ushering in lasting prosperity aligned with the vision of #ViksitBharat.
Odisha, 1st April 2025 – As the state celebrates the 90th Odisha Dibasa, Vedanta Iron Ore Odisha (IOO) proudly reflects on its endeavours in fostering socio-economic prosperity of the State. Not only is the Company contributing to the economy through its operations but its partnership with the communities in the Keonjhar & Sundergarh districts are also driving a lasting transformation.As part of its holistic approach to community development— Vedanta IOO , through its initiatives, touches lives across healthcare, education, skilling, women empowerment, infrastructure, and sustainable livelihoods. Rooted in the philosophy of ‘Giving back’ meaningfully to society, the Company’s efforts go beyond CSR to long-term transformation, ensuring that progress is inclusive and lasting for the communities it operates in.
Central to this vision is the company’s focus on empowering youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurial support. Vedanta IOO’s Project ‘Jeevika’ focuses on empowering rural youth through skill development. The Vedanta Tailoring Training Centre (VTTC) at Nadidhi, has been instrumental in creating a skilled group of young women who can now utilise the newly acquired tailoring skills for augmenting household income & to achieve financial independence.
To further strengthen women-led entrepreneurship, Vedanta IOO recently inaugurated six mushroom cultivation units in collaboration with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from Nadidihi and Rengalbeda villages under its Project Jivika. Supported with technical training from experts and assured market linkages, these units have empowered women to build sustainable livelihoods.In a heartening development, the SHGs are now also able to sell the products & recently showcased the same as part of the National Exhibition at Konark.These enterprising women are now role models for others within the community.
Extending best wishes on the occasion, Mr Navin Jaju, CEO – Vedanta Sesa Goa, said “ I congratulate the people of Odisha on the 90th Odisha Dibasa. We, at Vedanta IOO, are deeply committed to supporting Odisha’s growth story, as also in partnering the communities to drive enduring & lasting transformation. Our CSR initiatives are aimed at developing skills, supporting education, inclusivity, women empowerment & healthcare. These initiatives have created tangible impact & contributed to fostering lasting progress within the communities. It is a matter of pride for us that, together, we are building a stronger & resilient Odisha & contributing to the State’s economic & social progress, aligned with the vision of a #ViksitBharat.”
Mr Ajit Kumar Patra, CEO, Vedanta Iron Ore Odisha expressed his thoughts on the occasion “Development is most powerful when it reaches the grassroots. At Vedanta IOO, our efforts are centered on enabling people—by equipping youth with skills, supporting women entrepreneurs, and ensuring access to basic needs. Every step we take is aimed at building resilient communities and contributing to Odisha’s journey of holistic progress.”
Alongside skilling, Vedanta IOO’s commitment to healthcare, education, and sanitation remains steadfast. Under Project ‘Arogya’, the company has operated a mobile health unit since 2022, and have reached out to ~15000 community members delivering essential medical services to underserved villages. The recently conducted Eye Camp reached out to over ~800 community members from villages in and around Barbil, and those availing the services also benefitted with the free spectacle distribution initiative of the Company. In addition, several health camps & sessions on topics such as cervical cancer, among others, have complemented basic health care for the affected communities. Ambulance and dispensary services to ensure timely care for those in need. Recognizing the need for clean drinking water and sanitation, Project Nirmal has addressed local challenges by constructing bore wells, installing water pumps, and conducting ODF awareness campaigns.
Project ‘Vriddhi’ has been instrumental in supporting access to quality primary education by engaging teachers, running remedial centers, and aiding Anganwadi services, benefitting children in four villages. The Company also runs school bus services to ensure safe and free of cost travel for the students from remote areas. Focusing on skilling the youth , the Vedanta Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving training program in Nadidihi, has successfully enabled the youth from the area to acquire driving skills. Creditably, all participants of the inaugural batch received requisite licenses , and some have already secured employment, bringing financial stability to their households.
Tarzan Gope, a 19 -year-old participant in the driving training program who now has a stable job, shared his journey: “This training has been life-changing for me. Before joining the program, I had no direction or confidence about what I could achieve. Learning to drive was not only a new skill but also a chance to change my family’s financial situation. Securing a job as a driver has helped me earn a steady income, which I use to support my younger siblings’ education. I’m proud to contribute to my family and grateful to Vedanta for creating such a wonderful opportunity for people like me.”
As Odisha looks ahead to a future of opportunity and growth, Vedanta Iron Ore Odisha reaffirms its commitment to contribute to a prosperous Odisha & a #Viksit Bharat –stand with the people – empowering youth, enabling women, building infrastructure, and nurturing communities. With every initiative, the company continues to live its values of’of giving back’back to society and transforming for good, one village, one family, one life at a time.