THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

JAIPUR, JANUARY 19, 2026

Vedanta’s Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) Bagaan emerged as a vibrant confluence of literature, living traditions and community voices at the Vedanta Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) 2026, which concluded here on Monday, reaffirming the idea that culture and community lie at the core of sustainable development.

Designed as a dedicated cultural and literary space within the five-day festival, AAF Bagaan hosted a series of curated literary conversations alongside immersive workshops and performances that celebrated India’s rich and diverse craft traditions. From lac bangle-making and block printing to puppetry, folk music and dance, the space transformed heritage into a lived experience, bringing artisans, performers and audiences into direct and meaningful dialogue.

Beyond artistic engagement, AAF Bagaan also became a forum for deeper conversations on culture, identity, social change and the preservation of traditional knowledge systems. By seamlessly blending literature with hands-on cultural participation, the initiative demonstrated how responsible social investment can sustain heritage, empower communities and keep India’s artistic traditions relevant for future generations, an organisers’ spokesperson said.

Adding an industry-focused dimension to the festival, the Vedanta Pavilion functioned as a knowledge-led engagement space aimed at raising awareness about the role of metals, minerals and energy in everyday life. Through interactive installations, gamified learning formats and storytelling initiatives such as ‘Kaun Banega Metal Head?’ and ‘Bust the Myth’, the pavilion attracted curious visitors keen to understand how natural resources underpin modern infrastructure, technology, mobility and the energy transition.

A major attraction at the pavilion was a cutting-edge virtual reality experience that offered visitors a rare inside view of Vedanta’s Rampura Agucha Mine in Rajasthan, the world’s largest zinc-producing mine. The immersive journey traced the lifecycle of metals, providing insights into large-scale mining and metal production while reframing perceptions around the sector as an enabler of progress and innovation.

Meanwhile, stalls set up by Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) and Cairn Oil & Gas showcased Vedanta’s commitment to inclusive growth by offering a market-facing platform to company-supported self-help groups and community entrepreneurs. Women-led collectives and grassroots producers from Vedanta’s operational regions displayed and sold handcrafted and locally made products, gaining exposure to a diverse national and international audience.

These stalls highlighted how livelihood programmes, skill development initiatives and enterprise support can translate into sustainable income opportunities and long-term community empowerment. By bringing grassroots entrepreneurs into a global cultural forum, HZL and Cairn reinforced the message that industrial growth and social development can advance together, creating value not only for markets, but for people and communities on the ground.