Vedanta Aluminium launches SHG Centre to empower rural women and strengthen livelihoods

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

JHARSUGUDA, OCTOBER 14, 2025

In a significant move towards empowering rural women and fostering sustainable livelihoods, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has inaugurated a new office and product gallery operated by the Subhalaxmi Cooperative in Jharsuguda. This milestone marks a step forward in the company’s ongoing commitment to community development, as the new centre will act as a hub for collaboration, training, and enterprise growth, while simultaneously promoting products crafted by women-led self-help groups (SHGs) across Vedanta Aluminium’s operational regions.

Founded in 2008, the Subhalaxmi Cooperative has blossomed into one of the largest SHG cooperatives in Odisha, with over 5000 women from 470 SHGs across 102 villages. By focusing on empowering women through skills training, credit access, and business development, the cooperative has played a pivotal role in enhancing economic self-reliance and leadership capabilities among rural women. Through these efforts, the cooperative has enabled women to become active changemakers, contributing not only to their households but also to the development of their communities.

At the heart of the Subhalaxmi Cooperative’s initiatives are a range of livelihood-generating projects that allow women to create and market distinctive products such as organic honey (Vedamrit), terracotta figurines (VedMurtika), handloom products (VedSuta), jute products (Kalakriti), and traditional regional snacks. This focus on local craftsmanship and sustainability has made the cooperative a model of economic empowerment in rural Odisha.

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The inauguration ceremony was marked by the presence of a diverse group of participants, including SHG members, staff, NGO partners, and employees from Vedanta. There was palpable enthusiasm as attendees celebrated the spirit of entrepreneurship and the collective progress of the cooperative.

In his inaugural address, C Chandru, CEO of Vedanta Jharsuguda, highlighted the company’s commitment to community-centric development. “At Vedanta, empowerment is a shared goal that defines our developmental efforts. The Subhalaxmi Cooperative exemplifies how we are enabling community members to take ownership of their future and integrate entrepreneurship as a means of building sustainable livelihoods. Through our collaboration and dedicated resources like this new center, we aim to enhance both community well-being and long-term development,” he said.

Echoing his sentiments, Pankajini Oram, President of the Subhalaxmi Cooperative, underscored the significance of the new centre. She shared, “This new center represents more than just an office. It is a dedicated space for us to learn together, improve our skills, and ensure our traditional products can find a wider market, helping us support our families with dignity. Such milestones are the result of the hard work put in by every woman in our cooperative, and the support of Vedanta.”

The SHG product gallery, a key feature of the new centre, will not only display products made by women from Jharsuguda but also feature creations from other Vedanta Aluminium locations, including homemade spices and Saura art from Lanjigarh, Odisha, and traditional snacks and handicrafts from Chhattisgarh. By showcasing these unique and handcrafted items, the gallery aims to expand their market reach, raise awareness, and promote the entrepreneurial spirit of rural women.

This initiative is a testament to Vedanta Aluminium’s broader vision of fostering sustainable development and creating economic opportunities for marginalized communities. The SHG centre is expected to act as a catalyst for growth, helping women unlock their entrepreneurial potential and gain access to wider markets, all while preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, stands as India’s largest producer of aluminium, responsible for over half of the country’s aluminium production. The company is a leader in value-added aluminium products, which are essential for numerous industries. Furthermore, Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 for the aluminium industry, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. With state-of-the-art aluminium smelters, alumina refineries, and power plants across India, Vedanta is shaping the future of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future,’ supporting a greener tomorrow.