Vedanta Aluminium celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit of rural women at the Vikas Mela 2025, marking the first anniversary of the Odisha government under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The company’s flagship women empowerment initiative, Project Sakhi, took centre stage with a vibrant display of handmade products crafted by women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from Kalahandi. The stall drew widespread acclaim for its high-quality, creative, and market-ready products, earning praise from dignitaries, including Pawar Sachin, District Magistrate of Kalahandi, and senior representatives from the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), and the District Planning and Monitoring Unit (DPMU).
Launched in 2016, Project Sakhi has empowered over 4,900 women across 4,701 SHGs in Kalahandi, home to Vedanta’s world-class alumina refinery. The initiative provides comprehensive training, leadership mentoring, and market access in both farm and non-farm sectors, fostering sustainable livelihoods and financial independence. At Vikas Mela 2025, the platform enabled these women to showcase their products, forge new market linkages, and amplify their entrepreneurial efforts to a broader audience.
Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO of Vedanta Alumina Business, emphasised the initiative’s impact, stating, “The development of Kalahandi is intrinsically linked to the empowerment of its people. At Vedanta Aluminium, we believe women are the cornerstone of inclusive growth. Through Project Sakhi, we are enabling them to become self-reliant entrepreneurs and active agents of socio-economic change.”
The showcased products, ranging from intricately crafted textiles to innovative handicrafts, highlighted the creativity and resilience of Kalahandi’s rural women. Visitors lauded the initiative for nurturing women’s microeconomies and contributing to the region’s sustainable development.
Project Sakhi aligns with Vedanta’s broader vision of transforming Kalahandi through focused interventions in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and grassroots sports and culture.
