Bhubaneswar: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, presents the transformative impact of its educational initiatives in the Kalahandi region following a major win by students from DAV Vedanta International School, Lanjigarh.
Class XI students Lokesh Lal Majhi and Amay Prasad Mahakud secured the First Prize at the prestigious ATL Spark Tank – Future Maker Ideathon held at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar.
Their victory brought immense pride to Kalahandi, as they competed against 108 innovative projects from schools across Odisha. The duo’s winning idea, “DHRISHTI – An AI-Powered Personal Assistant for the Visually Disabled,” is a pioneering, AI-leveraged solution designed to empower visually impaired individuals with independent and safe navigation, both indoors and outdoors.
The innovation reinforces the potential of technology as a tool for social inclusion and earned the students a Champion’s title, a cash prize of ₹15,000, and the trophy.
Mr. Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya, CEO – Vedanta Alumina Business, emphasized that this success is a reflection of Vedanta’s commitment to nurturing young minds and promoting purpose-driven innovation.
He stated, “Lokesh and Amay’s success embodies the spirit of creativity, compassion, and purpose-driven innovation that we strive to nurture through our education initiatives. Their remarkable achievement not only makes Kalahandi proud but also inspires others to harness technology for social good.”
The DAV Vedanta International School, established by Vedanta Lanjigarh, stands as a beacon of educational transformation in the region.
It is Kalahandi’s first English-medium school, created specifically to bridge educational gaps and ignite aspirations among the rural youth. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, including smart classrooms, and well-equipped science and computer labs, the school provides a vibrant learning environment for nearly 1,400 students, the majority of whom are from local communities.
Over the years, the school has played a pivotal role in the region’s development, contributing significantly to a rise in literacy levels—from 38.4% in 2001 to 59.22% in 2011—and inspiring a generation of students to dream big and lead change.
This achievement by the young innovators underscores Vedanta’s unwavering commitment to quality education, community empowerment, and inclusive development in the Kalahandi region.