Vedanta Foundation to strengthen Computer Education Programme in Orissa

May 3, 2011 - PRLog -- Press Release for Immediate Publication
Vedanta Foundation to strengthen Computer Education Programme in Orissa; begins with the implementation of Vedanta E-Shiksha progamme in Rayagada and Kalahandi

Bhuvaneshwar, May 3, 2011:  Vedanta Foundation along with the SC/ST Development Department, Government of Orissa and Vedanta Aluminium aims to strengthen the Computer Education in the rural areas across the State under the programme, ‘Vedanta E-Shiksha @ Schools.  The implementation of the initiative began with its introduction at two tribal schools, one in Rayagada and Kalahandi respectively with a ceremony that was held today. The Foundation delivers e-content to the schools, thus supporting the State Government’s computer aided learning and computer education programme. It will provide pre and post Baseline Survey/Analysis, Computer Labs – with PCs. Monitors, Computing Devices, UPS, Furniture, Projector, White Board, Multimedia content for core subjects like Maths, Science, Social Science, English and Basic Computer Education. The training of teachers and monitoring of the programme by the Vedanta E-Shiksha team has already been completed.

Senior officials from the State Government Department, Vedanta Aluminium and Vedanta Foundation were present at the ceremony, including Honorable Minister (SC/ST Department, Orissa State), Shri Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha; Director of SC/ST Department, Orissa Government, Mr Sanjeev Chadha; Rayagada Collector, Dr Nitin Bhanudas Jawale; Kalahandi Collector, Mrs Roopa Mishra; Kalahandi District Welfare Officer, Mr Shaikh Majeed;  Mr Mukesh Kumar, COO, Vedanta Aluminium; Dr Ram Rout, CSR Head of Vedanta Aluminium and Mr Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Foundation.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sanjeev Chadha, Director SC/ST Department, Governmnent of Orissa, said, ‘The Vedanta E-Shiksha programme aims to rejuvenate the Orissa Government’s initiated Computer aided education drive in 20 Tribal schools of rural areas across the district benefitting more than 8,000 students every year. Care has been taken to train teachers to impart qualitative learning to the discerning children.  Today’s event is only a beginning and we will reach out to other schools across the State in a phased manner.’

The SC/ST Development Department, Government of Orissa had earlier signed the MoU in August 2010 for the Vedanta E-Shiksha Programme with Vedanta Foundation, the prominent not-for-profit organization and Vedanta Aluminium, a leading producer of metallurgical grade alumina and other aluminium products, which cater to a wide spectrum of industries.

Mr Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Foundation stated, ‘India being a developing country still has issues to be addressed, specially in the areas of strengthening the economic and social conditions of the lesser privileged.  We at Vedanta Foundation contribute in this area through many social and educational programmes. The aim of our programme, Vedanta E-Shiksha @ Schools on the whole is to reach out to 10,000 rural schools, benefitting 1 million students in 3 years’.




‘Our programme will provide the right opportunity to the less privileged rural children in the district and nurture them to be better acquainted with computers, improve their competence in core subjects and overall pass percentage, besides decreasing the school dropout rate.  This will bridge the great digital divide and make computer literacy accessible to all’ explained Mr Mukesh Kumar, COO, Vedanta Aluminium.  

The first phase of the Vedanta E-Shiksha Project has already been successfully implemented in other States, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Goa at many rural schools.

Mr Taher Vohra, National Head, Vedanta Foundation said ‘The Foundation will ensure that this 3 year long Vedanta E-Shiksha Project will be made more effective, interesting and long lasting by constantly motivating and awarding teachers and students suitably’.

About Vedanta Foundation
Vedanta Foundation is an ISO 9001-2000 certified organisation striving for the development of the less privileged through its Computer Education, Child Care, Women Empowerment and Tribal Welfare projects, since its inception in September 1992.  The Vedanta Group financially supports Vedanta Foundation to perform its philanthropic activities.  It has reached out to more than 9 lakh beneficiaries through its various projects and aims to enhance the potentials of the beneficiaries. The Foundation envisions helping the society
achieve substantial growth and human progress through education and vocational training. The mission of the Foundation is to strengthen the economic and social condition of the lesser privileged through focused social and educational programmes.
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