THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

JHARSUGUDA, JUNE 20, 2026

Several women beneficiaries associated with Vedanta Aluminium’s VedKala Project participated in the District Level Outreach Programme (DLOP) organized by the Government of Odisha in Jharsuguda, where they showcased a diverse range of handcrafted Saura art, bamboo craft and sabai grass products. The exhibition provided a valuable platform for the rural women artisans to promote their products, expand market access and demonstrate the significant impact achieved by the VedKala initiative in creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through traditional crafts.

The exhibition attracted several distinguished visitors, including Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, District Magistrate & Collector Kunal Motiram Chavan, representatives from Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) and other government officials. The dignitaries interacted with the artisans, appreciated the quality and craftsmanship of the products on display and commended the efforts being undertaken by Vedanta to preserve indigenous art forms and strengthen women-led enterprises.

Speaking on the occasion, C Chandru, CEO - Vedanta Aluminium, Jharsuguda said, “Sustainable development is rooted in creating meaningful livelihood opportunities for our communities. Through VedKala, we are enabling women artisans to transform traditional skills into sustainable sources of income while preserving Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. Platforms such as these provide valuable market exposure and help strengthen the entrepreneurial journey of rural women, fostering greater economic independence and confidence.”

Sharing her experience, Rashmita Sunani, a VedKala artisan from Siriapali Village, said, “Participating in the exhibition gave us an opportunity to showcase our work before government officials, buyers and visitors. The support received through VedKala has helped us improve ourskills, increase our earnings and gain confidence in taking our products to larger markets. It is encouraging to see our traditional craft being recognized and appreciated.”

VedKala is among Vedanta Aluminium’s key livelihood generation initiatives in Jharsuguda, focused on reviving traditional art forms, strengthening artisan capabilities and creating sustainable income opportunities for rural communities. Through structured training, product development support, design interventions and market linkages, the programme is helping women artisans enhance product quality, access new markets and build resilient micro-enterprises. The initiative also contributes to the preservation of Odisha’s unique cultural traditions by promoting indigenous crafts among wider audiences.

In FY26, Vedanta Aluminium’s community development efforts in Jharsuguda positively impacted the lives of more than 7 lakh people across 61 villages, ensuring sustainable, inclusive growth. Through targeted interventions in education, healthcare, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, rural infrastructure, and grassroots arts and sports, the company is working to improve the quality of life of local communities. These initiatives are guided by a commitment to shared value creation, ensuring that development is both meaningful and enduring.