Vedanta Limited has recently launched a pioneering talent acquisition program called “Project Panchhi,” which aims to recruit 1000 girls from its communities throughout India. The initiative has a two-fold objective: to recruit young women from remote areas in the company’s operational areas of metals, mining, and oil & gas businesses in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Goa, and other states, and to increase diversity in its workforce by specifically focusing on recruiting girls, who are underrepresented in the metals, mining, and heavy engineering industries.
Vedanta Ltd, a leading natural resources company in India, has recently announced the launch of Project Panchhi, a unique talent acquisition program aimed at recruiting 1000 girls from remote areas across the country. The company has initiated this pathbreaking project to increase diversity in its workforce by focusing on the recruitment of girls who are underrepresented in the metals, mining, and heavy engineering industries. Through this program, Vedanta aims to identify talented girls from marginalized communities, support their higher education in leading institutions, and train them to become future leaders in its operations.
In the first phase of this project, Vedanta has selected 40 girls from its communities in Odisha to join its Alumina Refinery operations at Lanjigarh, Kalahandi. What sets Project Panchhi apart is that it aims to recruit girls from marginalized communities, many of whom are first-generation learners with aspirations for further study to pursue professional careers. Vedanta is undertaking a rigorous selection process to identify the right candidates based on various criteria and will support their higher education in leading institutions. Upon graduation, these girls will join Vedanta’s operations as graduate trainees.
The program was inaugurated at Vedanta’s Alumina Refinery in Lanjigarh, Odisha, where the first phase has identified 40 girls. Vedanta’s Chairman, Anil Agarwal, believes Project Panchhi will give young girls wings to soar, enabling girls from remote parts of the country to pursue higher education, learn skills and financially empower themselves. He proudly looks forward to seeing these girls succeed and emerge as tall leaders in their organization. “Vedanta’s motto ‘Transforming for Good’ embodies our mission to bring positive change in the lives of our communities. I proudly look forward to seeing these girls succeed and emerge as tall leaders in our organization”, said Anil Agarwal.
Madhu Srivastava, Group CHRO, Vedanta Ltd, stated that Project Panchhi is a unique initiative towards inclusive development of their communities and aligns with their overall vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion. They are confident that these upskilled young girls will emerge as leaders and become shining examples for others in their communities, states, and country at large. “We are confident that these upskilled young girls would emerge as leaders and become shining examples for others in their communities, states and country at large”, shared Madhu Srivastava.
Vedanta’s Lanjigarh operations, which houses a world-class 2 MTPA alumina refinery, feed the company’s state-of-the-art aluminum smelters at Jharsuguda (Odisha) and BALCO (Chhattisgarh). The refinery is currently undergoing expansion to 5 MTPA, offering immense opportunities for the recruits to gain hands-on learning experience. This initiative will inspire thousands of other girls and women across India to aspire to a career in the manufacturing industry.
Chakri Majhi, the father of Suriyakanti Majhi, one of the girls selected under this program, praised the initiative, saying that Vedanta has come up with a wonderful initiative that gives young girls the opportunity to pursue higher studies. He is delighted to see his daughter selected as part of the program and believes it will not only help his daughter grow personally and professionally but will also go a long way in improving their quality of life. Vedanta has contributed immensely to the growth of its communities and the Kalahandi district.
