In response to the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik’s appeal to honour the state’s COVID warriors by singing the state anthem ‘Bande Utkala Janani’, Vedanta’s operations in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh (Kalahandi) came together to express gratitude to the state government, district administration, private organizations, civic bodies and individuals, for their relentless efforts towards fighting the pandemic COVID-19.
Paying his respect to the COVID warriors, C N Singh, CEO – Vedanta Ltd., Jharsuguda said, “The Government of Odisha’s endeavors to confront and contain the pandemic and provide care to residents of the state, have been strategic, effective and praiseworthy. On behalf of India’s largest aluminium operations, I extend heartfelt gratitude to all COVID warriors of Odisha who are working tirelessly to ensure grassroots preparedness. We will continue to extend all possible support to the district administration and work in tandem with the state govt. to ensure health and safety within and beyond our operations.”
Thousands of employees, business partners and members of the Vedanta family gathered across the plant sites and townships in Lanjigarh and Jharsuguda to recite the state anthem in a heartfelt display of solidarity and appreciation of the state’s efforts against COVID-19, filling the air with a sense of pride and patriotism.
The event was held at multiple locations in both locations, with strict adherence to social distancing and other protocols.
Towards ensuring greater preparedness against COVID-19 at grassroots, Vedanta has rolled out a plethora of initiatives in Odisha, with special focus on communities around its areas of operations in Kalahandi, Jharsuguda and adjoining areas.
Vedanta has lent critical support to the district COVID hospitals in Jharsuguda and Bhawanipatna with medical equipment such as ventilators, corona kits, oxygen concentrators, nebulizers, specialized medical gear, other critical infrastructure PPE and other essential supplies. Both hospitals together cater to roughly 6 lakh people.
Additionally, the company is:
• Helping thousands of daily wage earners and under-served families with rations and meals
• Conducting hundreds of awareness sessions on COVID-19 across remote villages
• Helping with fumigation and disinfection of public places
• Freely distributing over 2 lakh masks, soaps and safety kits to the needy. The masks are being made by women of Vedanta-supported self-help groups, thus providing them a means of livelihood in these tough times.
• One-day voluntary contribution of salary by thousands of Vedanta employees and business partners for COVID relief.
• Helping farmers sustain their livelihhod and start the next cropping season
Vedanta is one of the largest investors in Odisha, with investment of approx. Rs 50,000 crores over the years, of which over INR 300 crores has been invested in community development initiatives. Both Lanjigarh and Jharsuguda operations have created livelihood opportunities to the tune of 5 lakhs in the state. With a contribution of Rs 11,000 crores to the state exchequer till date, Vedanta continues to be a transformative force in the state’s socio-economic landscape.
