Vedanta Aluminium, India’s leading aluminium producer, marked International Daughters’ Day by celebrating the success of its flagship initiative, Project Panchhi. Launched under the guidance of Vedanta’s Chairman, Anil Agarwal, Project Panchhi aims to empower 1,000 young girls from underprivileged backgrounds across India by providing them access to higher education and career opportunities.
Since its inception in March 2023, Project Panchhi has enrolled 190 girls from rural regions of Odisha and Chhattisgarh into undergraduate courses like B.Com, BBA, B.Sc, and B.Tech at OP Jindal University, Raigarh. The initiative is designed to help these girls—many of whom are first-generation learners—overcome financial and social barriers to education, equipping them with the tools for financial independence and personal growth.
The project’s primary goal is to encourage young women from economically disadvantaged families to pursue higher education and become self-reliant. Many participants, who might have otherwise abandoned their studies due to financial or societal constraints, are now on a path toward successful careers thanks to the initiative.
Speaking on the project, Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer at Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we are committed to empowering young women through education, which we believe is key to driving positive change. Project Panchhi is not only helping these girls achieve their dreams but also contributing to our broader goal of having women make up 30% of our workforce by 2030.”
One of the participants, Lakshmi Pradhan, shared her experience, saying, “In the last six months with Project Panchhi, I’ve expanded my academic knowledge and explored various extracurricular activities. As the first daughter in my family to pursue higher education, I’m excited to contribute to my family’s success.”
Benu Mahar, a parent of one of the students, expressed his appreciation for the program: “I am incredibly thankful to Vedanta Aluminium for launching Project Panchhi. It has not only given my daughter the chance to follow her passion but has also instilled confidence in her to chase her dreams.”
Vedanta Aluminium’s efforts to support women’s empowerment extend beyond Project Panchhi. The company has also introduced Project Shakti, which facilitates the inclusion of women in night shifts at its smelting plants, promoting a safe and flexible working environment. These initiatives are part of Vedanta Aluminium’s broader commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce, aiming for women to constitute 30% of its workforce by 2030.
As India’s largest aluminium producer, Vedanta Aluminium manufactures over half of the country’s total aluminium output, producing 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. The company is a leader in value-added aluminium products that are critical to key industries and has been recognized for its sustainable practices, ranking 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 for the aluminium sector. Vedanta Aluminium remains dedicated to fostering innovation and shaping the future of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a more sustainable world.
