Initiative across Kuraloi, Jamkhani and Ghogharpalli provides school essentials and learning aids to help children participate more confidently in education

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Access to the right learning resources can play an important role in helping children engage more confidently with education and pursue their aspirations. Reinforcing its commitment to strengthening educational opportunities in communities around its mining operations, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has provided school bags, water bottles, notebooks, geometry boxes and other essential learning materials to more than 3,000 students across Kuraloi, Jamkhani and Ghogharpalli in western Odisha.

The initiative has been undertaken under Project Vidya, the flagship education programme of Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines, which focuses on strengthening children’s learning journeys through access to educational resources, academic support and school-based interventions.

As part of the initiative, 136 students of Banjari Ashram School in Kuraloi recently received school bags, water bottles, notebooks and geometry boxes. In Jamkhani and Ghogharpalli, learning aid kits were distributed to 144 children across 12 Anganwadi centres. The interventions support both school-going children and pre-school learners, helping strengthen access to essential educational resources across neighbouring communities.

Speaking on the initiative, Amares Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines, said, “Education is one of the most powerful enablers of social and economic progress. When children have access to quality learning opportunities, they are better equipped to pursue their aspirations, contribute meaningfully to society and shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities. Through Project Vidya, we are working to strengthen every stage of the learning journey — from early childhood education and school readiness to classroom learning and academic support. By investing in education, we are not only supporting individual students but also helping build stronger, more resilient communities that can thrive for generations to come.”

Sharing her experience, Debananda Karali, a parent of a student at Banjari SSD High School, Kuraloi, said, “The school bag and learning materials will be very useful for my child’s studies and everyday school activities. Having these resources has motivated her to attend classes regularly and focus more closely on her learning. I am thankful to Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines for supporting students like her and encouraging them to pursue their education with confidence.”

Since its commencement, Project Vidya has positively impacted more than 37,000 students across Kuraloi, Jamkhani and Ghogharpalli through a range of interventions designed to support learning at different stages. These include the deployment of 21 additional teachers in government schools, support for Anganwadi centres, distribution of learning aids and reference books, improvement of classroom infrastructure, and programmes promoting holistic development through sports, science and awareness activities.

The initiative forms an integral part of Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines’ broader community development efforts. Across 26 villages in Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts, the company’s social development programmes have positively impacted more than 2 lakh people, with interventions spanning education, healthcare, livelihoods and social development.

Through sustained investments in education and community development, Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines continues to support initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for children and strengthening the social and economic resilience of communities in its neighbouring regions.