From Hardship to Hope: DAV Vedanta International School re-shaping education in Kalahandi

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 26, 2025

Kalahandi, once synonymous with deprivation and despair, has undergone a silent revolution in recent decades. With the establishment of Vedanta’s alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, the seeds of development were sown — and at the heart of this transformation lies DAV Vedanta International School, the first English-medium school in the district. Since its inception in 2006, the school has played a pivotal role in turning aspiration into achievement, especially in the region’s tribal communities.

From its earliest days, the school’s mission was clear: education must not only inform but also uplift. In a region where access to learning was limited, the school aimed to create a nurturing space for children from early childhood through senior secondary levels. Today, it serves over 1,300 students, with 83 percent coming from surrounding villages. Many of these students are first-generation learners who now engage with modern tools such as smart classrooms, computer labs, and hands-on science experiments. A well-stocked library fuels their curiosity, while dedicated educators guide them on their journey.

The results of these efforts are striking. In 2023, DAV Vedanta International School secured the top position among DAV institutions, with its Grade XII students achieving an average score of 90.7 percent. The school celebrated a 100 percent pass rate in board examinations, with a significant portion of students scoring above 80%, reflecting both academic excellence and effective pedagogy.

Stories like that of Saloni Prasad highlight the school’s impact on individual lives. A former student, Saloni graduated from Grade X with a 9.6 CGPA and participated actively in extracurricular activities. She went on to earn a master’s degree in biotechnology and hold position as a Project Associate at ICMR-NIN in Hyderabad. “My alma mater nurtured my skills, values, and a lifelong love of learning,” she reflects — a sentiment echoed by many alumni.

Beyond the school’s own campus, its influence continues to grow through meaningful collaborations. Under the Mo School Abhiyan, DAV Vedanta and the Government of Odisha have jointly transformed 22 government schools into modern learning centres, integrating digital tools and updated infrastructure. The establishment of the Vedanta Mini Science Centres has introduced hands-on STEM learning to students in classes 5 to 10, making science accessible and engaging. Meanwhile, initiatives like the Vedanta Gyanashree and Meritorious Scholarships help ensure that both academic talent and financial need are recognized and supported.

The ripple effects of these efforts are evident across Kalahandi. What was once a region marked by scarcity is now a place where young people walk with confidence, their futures shaped not by circumstance but by opportunity. The transformation led by DAV Vedanta International School is a powerful reminder that education, when thoughtfully delivered, can unlock the potential of entire communities. The spark that was lit in Lanjigarh is now a beacon of hope for the region — proof that even in the most remote areas, education remains the most powerful agent of change.