Vedanta Aluminium Inaugurates 130 Nand Ghars for women and children’s welfare In Jharsuguda

• These modernized anganwadis are poised to bring about a positive transformation in the lives of more than 7,000 children spanning 127 villages.

Jharsuguda: Vedanta Aluminium, the largest aluminum producer in India, celebrated the inauguration of 130 Nand Ghars in a ceremony held in Jharsuguda. These Nand Ghars, supported by Vedanta, serve as modernized anganwadis and act as central hubs for women and child development, contributing to the accelerated progress of local communities. The recently opened Nand Ghars are poised to positively impact the lives of over 7,000 children residing in 127 villages within the Jharsuguda district.

The inaugural event witnessed the presence of notable figures including Ms. Dipali Das, MLA, Jharsuguda, Mr. Prabir Kumar Nayak, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, Ms. Punyabati Helen Khes, District Social Welfare Officer, Jharsuguda and Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Aluminium.

Initiated in 2015, Nand Ghar stands as Vedanta’s flagship community endeavor, developed in collaboration with the Anil Agarwal Foundation under the guidance of the Government of India’s Ministry of Women & Child Development. These centers go beyond traditional anganwadis, providing comprehensive services in education, including pre-school readiness for children under 6 years old, nutritious meals for pregnant and lactating women, improved healthcare through ANM staff, and skill development programs for women.

Commending Vedanta’s developmental initiatives, Ms. Dipali Das expressed gratitude, stating, “I would like to thank Vedanta and Anil Agarwal Foundation for modernizing our anganwadis with all essential amenities for the holistic development of children and their mothers.”

Highlighting the commitment to grassroots development, Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO of Vedanta Aluminium, emphasized, “Vedanta’s Nand Ghars represent our Chairman Anil Agarwal’s vision of accelerating women and child development across India at the very grassroots through focused development programs.”

Equipped with smart television sets for immersive education, water purifiers, clean toilets, and solar panels for continuous electricity, Nand Ghars follow the Building As Learning Aid (BALA) approach. The walls of these centers feature engaging and interactive learning resources, embodying an integrated approach to child welfare and women’s empowerment.

Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the project addresses Zero Hunger, Good Health & Well-Being, Quality Education, and Reduced Inequalities.

Mr. Prabir Kumar Nayak, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, emphasized the crucial role of Vedanta’s Nand Ghars in laying a robust foundation for quality education in children’s pre-schooling years.

Expressing gratitude on this significant occasion, Ms. Punyabati Heen Khes, District Social Welfare Officer, Jharsuguda, urged Vedanta to extend its transformative efforts to all anganwadis for comprehensive growth.

Vedanta’s extensive social interventions in education, healthcare, livelihood, skill development, grassroots sports, art & culture, with a focus on women and child development, positively impact around 80 villages in Jharsuguda and nearby areas, benefiting over 3 lakh people annually. The company empowers more than 4000 women through over 358 Self-Help Groups (SHGs), provides doorstep healthcare services to about 43,000 people annually, offers educational support to more than 13,000 students, and contributes to environmental sustainability by planting over 1.48 lakh trees in partnership with locals at the community level.

As a part of Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium is India’s leading aluminum producer, manufacturing more than half of the country’s aluminum, equivalent to 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. Recognized for its sustainable development practices, Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 world rankings for the aluminum industry. With world-class facilities in India, the company fulfills its mission of promoting emerging applications of aluminum as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.