The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
JHARSUGUDA, MAY 31, 2025
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, marked World No Tobacco Day by organizing a series of awareness camps across Keldamal, Barhamunda, and Gudigaon villages near its Jharsuguda operations. Conducted through its Mobile Health Unit (MHU) initiative, the campaign aimed to educate rural communities about the dangers of tobacco consumption and promote healthier lifestyle choices. Over 200 residents actively participated in the programme.
As part of the initiative, medical experts from Vedanta’s MHU team led interactive sessions on the adverse health effects of both smoking and smokeless forms of tobacco. Awareness leaflets, aligned with IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials from the Jharsuguda District Health Department, were distributed to reinforce key messages. A thought-provoking skit performed by Vedanta employees illustrated the long-term consequences of tobacco addiction, particularly its impact on families and future generations.
Speaking about the campaign, Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer – Vedanta Aluminium, said: “At Vedanta, we are committed to empowering communities through impactful health interventions. Initiatives like this are designed to inspire behavioural change and build a healthier, tobacco-free future, especially for our youth.”
Adding a medical perspective, Dr. Jayanarayan Pujari, Medical Officer – MHU, Vedanta Aluminium, said: “Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular ailments, and respiratory disorders. Awareness is the first step towards prevention. Through these outreach sessions, we aim to equip people with the knowledge needed to make informed health decisions.”
Reflecting on the session, Surekha Purohit, a resident of Sunarimunda village, shared: “Before attending, many of us didn’t realise how harmful tobacco really is. The doctor’s explanation and the skit helped us understand its serious impact. I now feel more confident in encouraging others to quit tobacco.”
Vedanta Jharsuguda’s Mobile Health Units provide essential primary healthcare services to over 100,000 individuals annually across 28 villages. The World No Tobacco Day campaign is part of Vedanta’s broader community development efforts, which span healthcare, education, livelihood promotion, women’s empowerment, and skill development.
A business of Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium is India’s largest aluminium producer, accounting for over half of the country’s output with 2.42 million tonnes produced in FY25. The company is a leader in value-added aluminium products used across critical industries. Ranked second globally in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 for the aluminium sector, Vedanta Aluminium continues to drive sustainability through its advanced smelters, alumina refineries, and power plants—paving the way for aluminium’s role as the ‘Metal of the Future’ in a greener world.
