Three-year initiative to benefit 4,294 children across 28 schools and 28 Anganwadi centres in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

TIKIRI, OCTOBER 16, 2026

In a bid to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy among children in Odisha’s rural communities, Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries under the Aditya Birla Group, has launched Project Adhyayan, a three-year education initiative covering 28 schools and 28 Anganwadi centres in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts.

The corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, launched by UAIL’s Baphlimali Bauxite Mines in collaboration with Aid et Action at Kashipur Government High School, aims to benefit 4,294 children in Kashipur block of Rayagada district and Thuamul Rampur block of Kalahandi district. It seeks to improve foundational learning outcomes, increase school attendance, promote child-friendly learning environments and strengthen community participation in education.

The launch programme was attended by Pramod Kumar Nayak, Chairperson of the District Child Welfare Committee; Sumit Biswas, Block Education Officer, Kashipur; Pradipt Kumar Sahoo, District Inclusive Education Coordinator; Geetarani Sahoo, Child Development Project Officer, Kashipur; and Anirudh Tiwari, Principal of Aditya Birla Public School.

Representatives of Aid et Action, including Aamod Kharkhanis and Pravin Bhope, attended the event along with their team. UAIL was represented by Digant Mohanty, Head of CSR at the plant, while the Baphlimali Bauxite Mines team included Vijay Chauhan, Mines Head; Rupak Mohanty, Head of Human Resources; Manoj Dash, head of CSR; and Debjyoti Mahapatra, head of security.

Lochan Khara, Headmaster of Kashipur Government High School, teachers, Anganwadi workers, students, media representatives and community members were also present.

Addressing the gathering, Chauhan appreciated the collaborative efforts of the stakeholders in launching the initiative and expressed confidence that it would help improve the quality of education and create sustainable learning opportunities for children in the region.

Chief guest Pramod Kumar Nayak commended UAIL’s CSR initiatives and underscored the importance of corporate participation in strengthening educational infrastructure and learning opportunities in communities surrounding industrial operations. He appreciated the efforts of Baphlimali Bauxite Mines to promote educational development among children in the region.

Project Adhyayan seeks to strengthen the local education ecosystem by bringing together schools, Anganwadi centres, teachers, parents, local institutions and communities. Through these collaborative efforts, the initiative aims to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment and help children develop the foundational skills necessary for their continued education.

Education is a key pillar of UAIL’s community development initiatives. Through targeted interventions and partnerships, the company seeks to expand educational opportunities, support children's learning and contribute to the long-term development of communities in its operational areas.