4th February 2025
Vedanta IOO Enables Promotes SHGs at DMF Exhibition
Vedanta Iron Ore Odisha (IOO) has facilitated the Self Help Groups from the Nadidhi & Regalbeda villages to showcase their products and enabled them with a platform to widen their clientele & reach. The SHGs were encouraged and supported to participate in the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Exhibition organized by the Ministry of Mines in collaboration with the Government of Odisha at the historic Sun Temple, Konark. The initiative was part of Vedanta IOO’s efforts to meaningfully empower communities through skilling.
With the theme “Empowering Communities by Sustainable Development,” the exhibition highlighted transformational initiatives designed to uplift communities. IOO had set up a functional kiosk showcasing the its social initiatives: the footwear making unit and mushroom cultivation units, reflecting the Company’s commitment to fostering economic independence and sustainable livelihoods for the local communities.
The DMF exhibition witnessed participation from various organizations and dignitaries, including G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Union Minister of Coal & Mines, who visited IOO’s stall. He remarked, “Vedanta’s initiatives exemplify how industries can drive sustainable development by empowering communities, especially women. The slipper-making and mushroom cultivation projects are not just providing livelihoods but are instilling confidence and self-reliance among participants. Such efforts demonstrate how CSR can create lasting, meaningful change in society.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Biswanath Sahoo, COO, Vedanta Iron Ore Odisha, said, “At IOO, we are committed to fostering sustainable livelihoods and ‘giving back’ communities through skill development and entrepreneurship. The slipper-making and mushroom cultivation units are shining examples of how our initiatives are helping communities achieve self-reliance and economic growth. We remain dedicated to creating opportunities that uplift and transform lives in the regions we operate.”
The footwear making unit, implemented in collaboration with the Self-Help Group ‘Shrushti,’ provides hands-on training in production and marketing, along with posttraining support and linkages to government programs like Mission Shakti. It is projected to help generate a sustainable revenues and more importantly, enables women in far flung areas to develop entrepreneurial skills as well as creates opportunities for long term economic & financial progress.
Similarly, the mushroom cultivation units, established under Project ‘Jivika’ leverage the intrinsic knowledge about agriculture & enables women to develop sustainable livelihood opportunities. These initiatives are designed to empower women, enhance self-reliance, and promote community development through skill-based microenterprises.
IOO’s continued focus on sustainable development underscores its mission to create a lasting positive impact on mining-affected communities while aligning with Vedanta’s broader vision of inclusive growth and Transforming Communities. Additionally, the Company has been actively engaging the local communities in creating a transformational impact through various projects in the field of education, livelihood, health & hygiene and community development.