THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JULY 27, 2026
Marking the successful conclusion of Rath Yatra and Bahuda
Yatra 2026, Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest producer of aluminium, undertook
a large-scale seva-led outreach initiative across Odisha and Chhattisgarh,
benefiting over five lakh devotees through hydration, food distribution and
medical support.
Working in close coordination with local administrations and
community stakeholders, the company distributed 3 lakh water bottles to the
Puri district administration, along with 40,000 glucose drinks, 10,000
community meals, 5,000 ORS packets and 3,000 packets of Nirmalya (dry prasad of Lord Jagannath) to devotees. In addition,
more than 200 umbrellas were provided to on-duty government officials engaged
in managing festival operations and ensuring the well-being of pilgrims.
Extending beyond Puri to Vedanta Aluminium's operational
regions in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the initiative reflected the company's
commitment to community care and public service. Around its Lanjigarh and
Koraput operations, strategically located refreshment points in Laxmipur and
Kakriguma distributed 40,000 glucose drinks and 5,000 ORS packets, providing
hydration and wellness support to over 30,000 devotees navigating the
festivities amid large crowds and summer conditions.
At BALCO in Korba, Chhattisgarh, the spirit of Rath Yatra
brought together nearly 4,000 employees, business partners and community
members for traditional rituals, cultural performances and a community Bhandara
that served over 4,000 devotees, reinforcing the festival's enduring message of
devotion, service and togetherness.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajesh Kumar, CEO, Vedanta
Aluminium, said, "The sacred Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra represent the
cultural heartbeat and spiritual identity of Odisha, and it is our privilege to
extend our support to the lakhs of devotees participating this year. Beyond
industrial growth, our commitment lies in serving the health, safety, and
well-being of the people in our communities. Through these multi-faceted ground
initiatives, we are honored to contribute to a comfortable, safe, and
meaningful festival experience for pilgrims and hard-working civic officials
alike."
Expressing gratitude for the arrangements on the ground,
Durga Debi Sahu, a devotee from Laxmipur, Odisha, said, "Standing in the
heat for hours among huge crowds during Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra is really
exhausting. Having volunteers right there handing out cold glucose drinks and
ORS was a massive relief for my family and everyone around us. It’s small, practical
help like this that makes a huge difference when you're out on the streets all
day."
Echoing similar sentiments, Suresh Naik, a pilgrim who travelled from neighbouring Chhattisgarh, shared, "Traveling from another state with family for the Yatra can be stressful, especially when it comes to finding basic food and water in the middle of lakhs of people. Getting hot meals, clean drinking water, and sacred Nirmalya served so smoothly made our entire trip much easier. It was great to see such genuine hospitality extended to visitors like us."
Beyond supporting one of the region's most cherished cultural celebrations, the initiative reflects Vedanta Aluminium's broader vision of community development rooted in participation, care and shared progress. In FY26 alone, the company's social impact programmes reached over 8 lakh beneficiaries across healthcare, education and livelihood enhancement. Through sustained partnerships with local communities, Vedanta Aluminium continues to create long-term social value while preserving and celebrating India's rich cultural heritage.
