With Vedanta’s support, young archers from Kalahandi take aim at national glory

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 20, 2025

In the tribal heartland of Odisha’s Kalahandi district, long known for its socioeconomic struggles, a quiet yet powerful movement is emerging — one that swaps stories of deprivation for dreams of victory. In Lanjigarh, a place once associated with malnutrition and poverty, the twang of bowstrings now signals a new era of opportunity, thanks to Vedanta Aluminium’s visionary sports initiative.

At the core of this transformation is the Vedanta Archery Training Program, launched in 2018 as part of the company’s broader community development efforts. Operating far beyond the industrial confines of Vedanta’s alumina refinery, the programme nurtures sporting talent among rural youth, with a particular focus on tribal children. More than 300 youngsters, some as young as nine, are now receiving structured training, quality equipment, nutritional support, and mentorship from national-level athletes — laying the foundation not just for medals, but for meaningful change.

The programme’s deeper ambition is to offer the youth of Kalahandi a path to empowerment and social mobility. For decades, the region has suffered from poor infrastructure and limited access to opportunities. But Vedanta’s grassroots sports initiative is redefining what’s possible for a generation that had rarely dared to dream beyond its immediate surroundings.

Seventeen-year-old Juli Majhi embodies this transformation. Hailing from a small tribal village, Juli once believed her world ended at the local market. Today, she is a state medalist who has competed in four national tournaments and clinched a bronze medal at the Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav in 2025. Her rise reflects a broader shift — not just in her aspirations, but in her community’s pride. “I never thought I’d even travel outside my district,” Juli says. “Now I dream of standing with India’s best.”

She is part of a growing cohort of achievers. In 2024 alone, Vedanta-supported archers secured 37 medals at state competitions, five at the Odisha State Archery Championship, and seven at the DAV National Championship. Among the most inspiring feats was Sanjay Majhi’s bronze at the NTPC Senior National Archery Championship — ending a 21-year medal drought for Odisha and signalling the arrival of talent from the state’s remotest corners.

To deepen its impact, the programme has brought Olympian Rahul Banerjee on board as a mentor, enriching the initiative with global expertise. Collaborations with the Dola and Rahul Banerjee Foundation, the Odisha Archery Association, and local government schools have further solidified its grassroots base, creating a support system designed to be inclusive and sustainable.

Coach Simanchal Kadraka, who trains many of these young archers, notes the holistic growth. “They walk taller now. They speak with confidence. Even their academics are improving,” he says, underscoring the programme’s wide-ranging impact.

Vedanta Aluminium’s CEO, Rajiv Kumar, affirms that the company’s vision goes far beyond corporate social responsibility. “This is not about medals alone. We are building futures. For many of these children, this is the first time they’ve imagined a life beyond the boundaries of poverty.”

Looking ahead, Vedanta plans to train 80 more children in archery and athletics, enable 20 national-level representations, and secure at least 50 additional medals at the state level. These are not just numbers — they are milestones on a journey to reclaim dignity, ambition, and identity through sport.

What started as a humble training initiative has grown into a powerful blueprint for grassroots transformation. Through the ancient and culturally resonant sport of archery, Vedanta Aluminium is helping Kalahandi carve out a new legacy — one defined not by its challenges, but by the courage of its young champions and the power of purposeful investment.