Vedanta promotes Culture and Livelihood of Tribal People in Orissa

April 5, 2010 - PRLog -- Vedanta Aluminium Limited, a subsidiary of global mining and metal group Vedanta Resources is committed for protection and promotion of culture and livelihood of tribal people at its vicinity. In order to promote the culture and lifestyle of Dongria Kondhs, an indegenous tribal group near near its Alumina Refinery at Lanjigarh, Kalahandi (Orissa), the Aluminium maker has developed a thematic notebook with excellent photography by Mr. Satyaki Ghosh, the well-known photographer.

The thematic scrapbook, entitled as ‘Kalahandi – A way of life’ gives information about the unique lifestyle, culture and heritage. The natural photographs by renowned fashion and people photographer Mr. Satyaki Ghosh narrates the stories more lively. These Scrapbooks are distrbuted to people across various walk of life to have a feel of Dongria Kondhs lives. In addition, the company also disseminates the live photographs of Dongria Kondh tribe to the global audience though its website.

“Indigenous tribe like the Dongria Kondh with their unique culture are close to Vedanta’s heart. We respect their uniqueness and realise the need to preserve their reach cultural heritage. Publication of the thematic note book is the beginning,” said Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh.

Not only culture, but also enhance the quality of life of the tribal people is the focus of the Company. With a vibrant Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Team the company has various interventions for improvement of livelihood, health, education and local infrastructure. And as per  the Supreme Court’s order to invest Rs. 10 Crore or 5% of the profit per year for local area development, the development activities for Dongria Kondhs would be enhanced further. “We have learned tradition and growth can coexist in a peaceful and harmonious manner”, adds Dr. Mukesh Kumar.

At present, the company has been undertaking a host of development programs, contributing to improvement in health, education and employment. The company has renovated the Health Center at Lanjigarh and is providing regular health service in 53 villagaes through the mobile health unit. Through a specialized project called Project Ujjala, the company is providing electricity to the villages at the periphery of the Alumina Refinery at Lanjigarh. Simultaneously, Vedanta has adopted all the 400 anganwadi centre in six blocks of Kalahandi district under its Bal Chetana project in association with the Sterlite Foundation and the Government of Orissa through private-public partnership. Children in these centers are getting nutritious food and health checkup, besides education. Child Care centers have been opened in the villages, which do not have the access to Anganwari. It has opened 40 childcare centers where about 1,500 children are getting education. Similarly, the company is promoting agriculture in the area by providing capacity building and technical support to the farmers. One of the most successful achievements of the company is cultivation of Strawberry in Lanjigarh, first time in Orissa.

Source: blog.vedantaaluminium.com