Lanjigarh : Vedanta Aluminium has launched a first-of-its-kind community initiative this Navratri, celebrating the spirit of Shakti by empowering women in its peripheral villages in Lanjigarh. Under its special ‘Navratri Milap’ programme, the company is distributing over 600 ‘Shakti Kits’, benefitting more than 1,500 women across nine villages.
Each Shakti Kit is thoughtfully curated to promote health, hygiene, and nutrition – the three pillars of women’s wellbeing. The kits include sanitary napkins, soap, handwash and other hygiene essentials; millet-based sweets to boost nutrition; and iron cookware, a traditional tool known to help reduce anaemia over time. Festive items are also included to make the initiative a celebration of strength and care.
The initiative will be carried out across the nine days of Navratri, with each day dedicated to one village. Vedanta representatives are engaging with communities through activities like rangoli-making and traditional games, turning each distribution a shared celebration. The initiative covers Putribhata, Khalguda, Balabhadrapur, Kadamguda, Kendubardi, Banigaon, Similibhata, Bundel, and Chanalima, collectively benefitting more than 600 households.
Speaking on the initiative, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya, CEO – Vedanta Alumina Business, said, “Our community development efforts are rooted in the belief that true progress is inclusive and participatory. Navratri is a celebration of Shakti – of strength, care, and resilience. This year, we wanted to honour that spirit by empowering the women in our villages. Through the Shakti Kits, we are investing in their health and wellbeing. This initiative complements our broader social impact programmes, which span education, healthcare, skill development, and livelihood generation; creating pathways for sustainable and equitable growth.”
The ‘Navratri Milap’ is a festive edition of Vedanta Lanjigarh’s flagship Community Connect – Milap programme. This platform fosters regular engagement between the company’s employees and its host communities, benefitting over 3,300 people across 16 villages. Monthly Milap events include essential distributions, shared community meals, and cultural interactions that strengthen the spirit of togetherness.
Through its integrated approach to community development, the company continues to drive positive change across its operational areas, empowering individuals, strengthening families, and building resilient communities that grow alongside industrial progress.