THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, MAY 23, 2026
Ashok Ramachandran, Director-HR, Aditya Birla Group, visited the
Meenakshi Coal Mine at Hemgiri in Sundargarh district, a unit of Hindalco
Industries under the Aditya Birla Group, and reviewed mining operations along
with ongoing community development initiatives in the region.
He was accompanied by Kailash Pandey, Business Head - Mining and Head of Hindalco Sambalpur Cluster and Head of Primary Aluminum Business; Bijesh Jha,
President-Coal & Bauxite; Krishna Padhi, Head-HR, Sambalpur Cluster; and Biswanath
Mukherjee, Head-HR, Ranchi.
During the visit, the dignitaries also toured nearby Kiripsira village,
where they interacted with local people and discussed various developmental
initiatives being implemented by Meenakshi Coal Mine under its Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
The guests were accorded a traditional welcome by the villagers. They
also interacted with women members associated with the Natural Silk Fiber Craft
Project, which has been providing livelihood support and skill development
opportunities to rural women in the area. On the occasion, Artisan Cards issued
by the Government of India were distributed among the beneficiaries.
Highlighting the company’s focus on sustainable rural development and basic infrastructure enhancement, Ashok Ramachandran performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a Solar Drinking Water Project in the village. In the subsequent phase of the programme, the dignitaries inaugurated the Solar Street Light Project aimed at improving public convenience and enhancing safety in the village.
The visit underscored the commitment of the Aditya Birla Group and Hindalco Industries towards inclusive growth, community engagement and sustainable development in the mining-affected regions of Odisha.
