Vedanta Aluminium champions women empowerment at ICC INWEC Business Mela 2025

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 09, 2025

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, reaffirmed its commitment to women empowerment by showcasing a broad spectrum of its pioneering women development initiatives at the ICC INWEC Business Mela 2025. Organized by the Indian National Women Entrepreneurs Council (INWEC) under the aegis of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the event celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit and leadership of women across Odisha.

At the heart of Vedanta Aluminium’s participation was a vibrant display of products crafted by women entrepreneurs from several Self-Help Group (SHG) initiatives supported by the company. These included Project Subhalaxmi in Jharsuguda, one of Odisha’s largest SHG projects with over 5,000 women members; Project Sakhi in Lanjigarh, which has empowered nearly 5,000 women; and Project Unnati in Chhattisgarh, which boasts a growing network of over 5,800 women members.

The exhibition featured an impressive array of regionally inspired products, including Saura art and Dhokra figurines from Kalahandi, Gonkra paintings and traditional snacks from Korba, as well as terracotta statues and natural honey from Jharsuguda. Each product served as a testament to the creativity, cultural richness, and entrepreneurial drive of the women empowered through Vedanta’s community development efforts.

Speaking at the event, Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Vedanta Aluminium, remarked, “India’s full potential can only be harnessed if its women are provided with equitable opportunities for progress. At Vedanta Aluminium, we are committed to ensuring our roles are gender agnostic and that all hiring is based solely on skill and aptitude. Beyond our operations, we are actively working to empower women in our communities through avenues like skill development, entrepreneurship, and improved healthcare access.”

Adding a personal touch to the company’s commitment, three outstanding women professionals from Vedanta Aluminium were felicitated for their exemplary contributions. These included Sindhu Pandre, who leads operations at the all-women potline at the Jharsuguda smelter; Sasmita Samal, Head of the Technical Cell; and Bhumika Khare, Lead of Advanced Analytics at the Lanjigarh alumina refinery. Their recognition underscores Vedanta’s inclusive workplace culture and the increasing representation of women in leadership and technical roles within a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Vedanta Aluminium’s women-centric programs focus on long-term, sustainable development. Since its inception in 2008, the Subhalaxmi Cooperative has played a crucial role in enhancing women’s financial literacy and economic independence by offering microfinance loans, market access, and industry-relevant skill training. Additionally, the company undertakes regular health camps and menstrual awareness campaigns in rural regions to ensure that women in even the most remote areas have access to appropriate healthcare. Together, these efforts are enabling women in diverse spheres to take independent charge of their progress and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of their communities.

The INWEC platform, established in 2020, brings together women ranging from grassroots entrepreneurs to industry leaders with the shared goal of fostering empowerment, education, and entrepreneurship. The 2025 Business Mela proved to be a powerful forum for Vedanta Aluminium to spotlight its far-reaching efforts toward building a more inclusive and equitable future for women across India.