Bhubaneswar, July 14, 2026: For women and adolescent girls across India, menstruation remains one of the least discussed aspects of health despite being a natural part of life. Conversations are often limited by stigma, misinformation and discomfort, leaving many young girls unprepared and many women hesitant to seek guidance on issues affecting their wellbeing.
Recognising this challenge, Vedanta Aluminium has been promoting preventive healthcare and awareness through Project Arogyam across communities around its Kuraloi, Jamkhani and Ghogharpalli coal mines in Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts. As part of these efforts, the company recently conducted a week-long Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Programme, reaching more than 670 women and adolescent gilds through expert-led sessions on menstrual hygiene, nutrition, pain management, and sustainable menstrual products. The initiative encouraged participants to replace myths with informed choices. Adding a unique cultural dimension, the programme also embraced Odisha’s traditional Alta ritual associated with the Raja festival, celebrating womanhood while reinforcing that menstruation is a natural part of life.
Fourteen-year-old Bebina Sahu from Kuraloi village shared her experience, “Earlier, I only knew about menstruation from my school lessons. After attending the session, I learnt the importance of maintaining menstrual hygiene, using sanitary pads correctly, and consulting a doctor whenever needed. I now feel much more confident about taking care of my health.”
Emphasizing the importance of such interventions, Dr. Rahul Sahu, Gynaecologist at Lakhanpur Community Health Centre, said, “Creating awareness around menstrual health is one of the most effective ways to empower women and adolescent girls. Initiatives like these equip them with the knowledge to make informed decisions while helping communities overcome the stigma surrounding menstruation.”
Speaking about the initiative, Amares Kumar, CEO – Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines, we believe that empowering communities begins with access to knowledge and quality healthcare. Through Project Arogyam, we are creating safe spaces where women and adolescent girls can openly discuss menstrual health, make informed choices, and lead healthier lives. By fostering awareness today, we are building stronger and more resilient communities for tomorrow.”
Beyond community-level engagement, Project Arogyam has also been working with schoolchildren to promote informed conversations around puberty and menstrual health. In FY 2025–26, the initiative reached more than 1,400 students across the Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts through dedicated awareness sessions. Heating pads and informative books on puberty were distributed to both girls and boys, providing age-appropriate and culturally sensitive information to foster awareness, understanding, and confidence among young learners.
The menstrual hygiene awareness programme forms part of the broader impact of Project Arogyam, which has positively impacted more than 50,000 people across the Jharsuguda and Sundargarh through mobile health units, specialist medical camps, and preventive healthcare initiatives.
These efforts are complemented by Vedanta Aluminium’s broader community development initiatives around its coal mining operations, which have reached over 2 lakh people across 26 villages.
Vedanta Aluminium continues to support development across Odisha through focused interventions in healthcare, education, livelihoods, infrastructure, and social development, working closely with local stakeholders to create long-term impact. These efforts reflect the company’s commitment to inclusive growth and improving lives at the grassroots level.
