Raygada (Odisha): Today Vedanta Foundation, a charitable trust under the aegis of Vedanta Group, handed over cheques and deliverables like multivitamin syrup, nutrition powder, nutritive cereals & pulses for children in 1100 Anganwadi Centres of Rayagada district in Odisha.
The deliverables were handed over to the programme co-ordinators by the Minister Revenue & Disaster Management, Sh Surjya Narayan Patro.
The Foundation aims to spend Rs 6 crores in 2500 centres during the current year for underprivileged children in Odisha.
This is a unique initiative adopted by Vedanta Foundation in partnership with the Government run Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), for the holistic development of children in the districts of Kalahandi & Rayagada.
Vedanta Bal Chetna Anganwadi Project, initiated work under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode in the states of Orissa and Rajasthan and presently covers about 3000 Anganwadi centres by addressing the needs of 1,25,000 children.
Vedanta Foundation, in partnership in ICDS scheme, also runs its own Day Care Centres for pre-school children all over India.
The children are nurtured with breakfast, lunch and evening snacks, with joyful pre-schooling and doorstep health care services enabling them to excel in formal schools later.
The program also marked distribution of two sets of uniforms to children in 36 Day Care Centres which are being run by the Foundation in Odisha since 2004.
The Foundation has plans to expand this program to other districts in future. Vedanta Foundation, under the stewardship of Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group, has a vision of contributing to the overall well-being of more tha
Speaking on the occasion Shri Surjya Narayan Patro, Minister for Revenue & Disaster Management, commended the initiatives of Vedanta Foundation and urged other corporate houses to emulate the same.
During his address, he said that one Rourkela Steel Plant has transformed the entire Sundergarh district and one MIG factory in Sunabeda has changed the complexion of Koraput district.
He hoped that the only mega industry of Vedanta Aluminium at Lanjigarh will bring about a socio-economic change in Kalahandi and the entire region.
Balabhadra Majhi, Chairman TDCC & BJD President, Kalahandi and Mr. Sanjeev Chaddha, Director SC & ST Dept., Govt. of Odisha also spoke on the occasion and appreciated various ongoing welfare activities of Vedanta Foundation in the state and promised to extend all support.
Mr. A. K. Samal, Sr. Vice President of Vedanta reiterated the commitment of the Group towards doing more and more for welfare of the under – privileged in the state. Calling this initiative a small gesture, he said, “Big changes will happen someday. Till then we will keep making small beginnings.”
Sh Balakrushna Ratha, Project Head, Vedanta Foundation in Odisha, apprised the audience about the various activities carried out by Vedanta Foundation in Odisha through its Anganwadi & Child Care Development Programmes.
Vedanta Foundation initiated on 15th September 1992 strives for the development of the less privileged through its Computer Education, Child Care, Women Empowerment and Tribal Welfare projects. These areas have been chosen with the conviction to support the vulnerable and underprivileged sections of society so that they gain authority over their own destinies and join the main stream.
The Foundation is a public charitable trust registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950. Over the past 15 years, the organization has reached out to more than 9 lac beneficiaries through its various projects.
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.
