THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
MARCH 13, 2026
“Respect for human rights, safe and inclusive
workplaces, and dignity for every individual are central to Hindalco’s
values-driven approach to sustainable growth,” said Samik Basu, Chief Human
Resources Officer of Hindalco Industries Limited, while addressing a
National-level Human Rights Sensitization Conference organized by the company
in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
Reinforcing its
commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and inclusive development,
Hindalco hosted the conference at Mayfair Convention in collaboration with
Human Rights Front. The event brought together policymakers, jurists, corporate
leaders and civil society representatives from across the country to deliberate
on rights-based development and ethical governance.
The conference aimed
to create a common and deeper understanding of human rights standards across
industries. It facilitated knowledge sharing on best practices for integrating
human rights principles into business operations while strengthening corporate
responsibility frameworks aligned with national and international expectations.
By enabling cross-sector collaboration, the initiative also sought to identify
emerging risks, bridge institutional gaps and support the development of
resilient, human rights-conscious organisations committed to responsible
business conduct.
Delivering the
keynote address, Basu emphasized the importance of embedding human rights
values within corporate governance and development initiatives. “At Hindalco,
respect for human rights is fundamental to how we operate. Anchored in our
values of Integrity, Commitment and Seamlessness, we remain dedicated to
building safe, inclusive and responsible workplaces. Safety and well-being lie
at the core of our people philosophy, and this conference reinforces our belief
that sustainable growth is only possible when dignity and care for every
individual guide every decision,” he said.
He further
highlighted that respect for human rights is an integral component of the
company’s responsible business practices, helping build trust, reduce risks and
strengthen long-term resilience. Hindalco’s leadership in global ESG indices,
he noted, reflects this commitment. The company has been ranked the world’s
most sustainable aluminium company with an 87-point Corporate Sustainability
Assessment (CSA) score and has also achieved a high ESG score of 89 in the
S&P Global ESG assessment, reinforcing investor confidence and operational
credibility while generating broader social impact through community
development and ethical operations.
Hindalco has also
been ranked the world’s most sustainable aluminium company in the Dow Jones
Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for six consecutive years, highlighting its
ability to compete in global markets where sustainability increasingly
determines access and competitiveness.
The inaugural session
featured Dr. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Member of the National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC); Justice Bimala Prasad Das, former Chairperson of the Odisha
Human Rights Commission; Asim Amitabh Das, former Member of the OHRC; Dr.
Nibedita Nath, Vice Chancellor of Maa Manikeswari University, Kalahandi; and
Samik Basu, Chief Human Resources Officer of Hindalco Industries Limited. Also
present on the occasion were V.R. Shankar, Senior President and Chief Legal
Officer of Hindalco, and T. M. Prakash, President–HR of Hindalco and Convener
of the conference.
The conference
featured three thematic panel discussions addressing key human rights concerns.
The first session, titled “Rights-Based Development: Advancing Equity,
Inclusion and Institutional Accountability,” was moderated by senior journalist
and former BBC Bureau Chief Sandeep Sahu. The panel included Prof. (Dr.)
Kumarbar Das, former Vice-Chancellor of FM University; V.R. Shankar, Senior
President and Chief Legal Officer of Hindalco; Jagadananda, former State
Information Commissioner; Dr. Kalpana Mallick, Member of the Odisha State
Commission for Women; and Dr. Debasish Mahapatra, Associate Professor and Head
of the Centre for Social Research & Innovation at KIIT University.
The second panel
discussion explored “Corporate Responsibility and ESG,” focusing on ethical
business practices and compliance with national and global human rights
standards. Moderated by Nageswar Pattanaik, former Bureau Chief of The Economic
Times, the panel featured Pratul Narayan, Associate Director – ESG Advisory;
Dr. Justice D. P. Choudhury, former Judge of the Orissa High Court; Dr. Rina
Routray, Chairperson of Mahila Atmanirvar Abhiyan; and Dr. Ambika Prasad Nanda,
Mentor at the Centre for Research & Community Action.
The final panel
discussion examined “Labour Codes and Human Rights: Balancing Ease of Doing
Business with Worker Protection.” Moderated by Ganga C. Sharma, MD and CEO of
Cetizion Verifica Pvt Ltd, the panel featured K. N. Gopinath, National
Secretary of CITU; Daniel Umi, South Asia Head of Aide et Action; Girish
Chandra Arya, All India Secretary of BMS; and Dr. Ashok Kumar Sahu, former
Executive Director (H&A) of NALCO.
During the
conference, several Human Rights Defenders were also felicitated for their
contributions to promoting social justice and protecting human dignity.
The valedictory
session was attended by Sitansu Mohan Dwibedy, Chairman of the Odisha State Bar
Council; Smt. Namrata Chadha, former Member of the Odisha State Commission for
Women; Basudeb Bhatta, President of Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangha; Dr. Supriya
Pattanayak, Vice Chancellor of Centurion University; and T. M. Prakash,
President – HR of Hindalco.
Notably, the
initiative builds upon Hindalco’s earlier efforts to create a platform for
dialogue on human rights. The journey began in 2024 when the company organised
a similar conference in collaboration with the Odisha Human Rights Commission.
With the present edition expanded to the national level, Hindalco aims to
strengthen the platform further as a forum for dialogue, collaboration and
collective action to advance human rights and responsible business practices
across industries.
