Bhubaneswar, swa news : Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, presented a vivid demonstration of its transformative initiatives for the development of women at the ICC INWEC Business Mela 2025. The event, focused on celebrating women entrepreneurs and leaders across Odisha, was organisedhere by the Indian National Women Entrepreneurs Council (INWEC) under the aegis of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Vedanta showcased a diverse range of products designed, developed and marketed by innovative women entrepreneurs fromthe several Self Help-Group (SHG) projects supported by the company.These include Project Subhalaxmi in Jharsuguda, among Odisha’s largest SHG projects with 5000+members, Project Sakhi in Lanjigarh with nearly 5000 members and Project Unnatiin Chhattisgarh with 5800+ members.
These products reflected the diverse impact of the company’s efforts, featuring Saura art paintings and Dhokra figurines from Kalahandi, Gonkra art paintings and traditional snacks from Korba, and terracotta statues and natural honey from Jharsuguda, all manufactured by the numerous women entrepreneurs supported by Vedanta.
Speaking at the event, Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “India’s full potential can only beharnessedif its women are provided with equitable opportunities for progress. At Vedanta Aluminium, we are achieving this by ensuring that our roles are gender agnostic and that all hiring is based on skill and aptitude above any other factors. Further, we are committed to the empowerment of women within our communities by facilitating multiple developmental avenues, such as skill training, entrepreneurship, and access to improved healthcare.”
Threeof Vedanta’s women employees were also felicitated at the event for achieving extensive contributions in their respective fields. These included Sindhu Pandre, Head of Operations at the all-women potline in Vedanta’s aluminium smelter in Jharsuguda; Sasmita Samal, Head – Technical Cell; and Bhumika Khare, Lead – Advanced Analytics at the Lanjigarh alumina refinery. Their recognition reflects the diverse employment opportunities increasingly available to women in a largely male-dominated industry.
Vedanta Aluminium has also undertaken several initiatives designed to help women build sustainable livelihoods and become key growth contributors within their local communities.For instance, since its inception in 2008, the Subhalaxmi Cooperativehas played a pivotal role in equipping women with industry-relevant skills, providing them with market access, and enhancing their business acumen. It focuses on financial inclusion of women through microfinance loans and easy access to credit. Further, Vedanta Aluminium undertakes regular health camps and menstrual awareness campaigns in rural areas to ensure women have access to suitable healthcare even in the remotest areas of the state. Together, these efforts are enablingwomen in diverse spheresto take independent charge of their progress.
INWEC was established in 2020 to empower, educate, and elevate women entrepreneurs, with members ranging from industry leaders to small/medium enterprise owners to grassroots changemakers. The event was an ideal platform to highlight the extensive efforts undertaken by Vedanta Aluminium in this regard, both within its operations and across its communities.
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