THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
JHARSUGUDA,
JULY 11, 2026
Reinforcing its
commitment to transformative community development, Vedanta Aluminium-supported
Subhalaxmi Cooperative recently felicitated 50 meritorious Class 10 students
from across Jharsuguda for their outstanding performance in the latest board
examinations. The initiative was organised under the aegis of the Mahila Kalyan
Panthi Fund, a unique welfare initiative of the Subhalaxmi Cooperative that
channels members' contributions into a range of community development
programmes.
The felicitation
ceremony, held at the District Cultural Office in Jharsuguda, celebrated the
students' academic achievements while highlighting the vital role of women-led
institutions in promoting education and strengthening community welfare. The
event was attended by Yuvraj Singh, CEO, Odisha Rural Development and Marketing
Society (ORMAS); Aditya Parida, Branch Manager, IDBI Bank; members of Self Help
Groups (SHGs); representatives from Vedanta Aluminium; and the students along
with their families.
Subhalaxmi
Cooperative, one of Odisha's largest women-led self-help cooperatives, is
extensively supported by Vedanta Aluminium. The cooperative has enabled
thousands of rural women to become entrepreneurs, access affordable financial
services, and build sustainable livelihoods. The scholarships were facilitated
through the cooperative's Mahila Kalyan Panthi Fund, an innovative community
welfare mechanism financed by a one per cent contribution from every loan
disbursed to its members. The fund has created a dedicated welfare corpus that
provides educational scholarships, maternity assistance, funeral support, and
loan waivers to member families. Over the years, it has benefited more than
1,700 members and their families through financial assistance exceeding ₹35 lakh.
Speaking on the
occasion, C. Chandru, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium – Jharsuguda, said, "The
remarkable academic achievements of these young students reflect the strength
of the support systems within their communities. The Mahila Kalyan Panthi Fund
demonstrates how collective action can create meaningful opportunities,
strengthen social security, and inspire the next generation to dream bigger. We
are proud to partner with Subhalaxmi Cooperative in advancing rural education
and empowering communities through sustainable, women-led development."
Sharing his views,
Yuvraj Singh, CEO, ORMAS, said, "Subhalaxmi Cooperative has demonstrated
how women-led institutions can become powerful agents of social change. The
Mahila Kalyan Panthi Fund not only provides a vital support system for member
families but also encourages education and inspires young students to aspire
higher. Initiatives like these are instrumental in building stronger and more
resilient rural communities."
Today, Subhalaxmi Cooperative empowers more than 5,000 women through 440 Self Help Groups (SHGs). It has disbursed over ₹2.55 crore in microfinance, supported more than 1,500 women entrepreneurs, and continues to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities through initiatives such as honey production, terracotta enterprises, and other community-based businesses.
Through pioneering initiatives like the Mahila Kalyan Panthi Fund, the cooperative has evolved into a successful model of women-led community welfare, fostering education, financial resilience, and collective well-being. Supported by Vedanta Aluminium, Subhalaxmi Cooperative continues to empower rural communities and drive inclusive development through sustainable, member-led solutions.
