Bhubaneswar, July 10: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, took center stage at Vikas Mela 2025 by spotlighting its flagship women empowerment initiative, Project Sakhi, in Odisha’s Kalahandi district.

The event, held to commemorate the first anniversary of the Odisha government under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit of rural women shaping Kalahandi’s socio-economic landscape.

Through a vibrant exhibition of handmade products crafted by women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Vedanta’s stall drew admiration from dignitaries including Shri Pawar Sachin, District Magistrate of Kalahandi, and senior officials from ORMAS, ITDA, and DPMU. The showcased items reflected high quality, creativity, and market-readiness—hallmarks of the company’s sustained efforts in nurturing grassroots enterprises.

Project Sakhi, launched in 2016, has grown into a cornerstone of women’s development in the region. Supporting over 4,900 women across 4,701 SHGs, the initiative provides training, leadership mentoring, and market access across farm and non-farm sectors. It aims to foster financial independence and build sustainable livelihoods.

Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO – Vedanta Alumina Business, said, “The development of Kalahandi is intrinsically linked to the empowerment of its people. Women are the cornerstone of inclusive growth, and through Project Sakhi, we are enabling them to become self-reliant entrepreneurs and active agents of socio-economic change.”

The Vikas Mela served as a powerful platform for rural women to forge new market linkages and amplify their entrepreneurial efforts. Project Sakhi’s presence aligned seamlessly with Vedanta’s broader vision of transforming Kalahandi through focused interventions in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and grassroots sports and culture.

As Kalahandi charts a new path forward, Vedanta Aluminium continues to deepen its role as a catalyst of change, empowering communities and nurturing the aspirations of women who are scripting this transformation from within.

Read More Odisha News

Argus English | argus english | Odisha Latest News, Breaking News, Trending News, Live TV