Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 25th September 2026: When children are empowered to learn, their communities are better positioned to grow, progress and prosper. Supporting this journey, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has distributed school bags, water bottles and other essential learning materials to more than 3,000 students living in the vicinity of its mining operations in Odisha. The initiative was undertaken under the aegis of Project Vidya, the flagship education programme of Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines, which supports children through access to learning resources, academic support and school-based interventions.
Launched across Kuraloi, Jamkhani and Ghogharpalli in western Odisha, the initiative is helping ensure that children have the resources they need to participate more confidently in school. Most recently, 136 students of the Banjari Ashram School in Kuraloi received school bags, water bottles, notebooks and geometry boxes, while learning aid kits were distributed to 144 children across 12 anganwadi centres in Jamkhani and Ghogharpalli, contributing to the milestone of over 3000 students being extended support so far under the initiative. By supporting both school-going children and pre-school learners, Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines is helping strengthen wider educational access across its neighbouring communities.
Speaking on the initiative, Amares Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines, said, “Education is one of the most powerful enablers of social and economic progress. When children have access to quality learning opportunities, they are better equipped to pursue their aspirations, contribute meaningfully to society and shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities. Through Project Vidya, we are working to strengthen every stage of the learning journey, from early childhood education and school readiness to classroom learning and academic support. By investing in education, we are not only supporting individual students but also helping build stronger, more resilient communities that can thrive for generations to come.”
Sharing her experience, Debananda Karali, the parent of a student at Banjari SSD High School, Kuraloi, said, “The school bag and learning materials will be very useful for my child’s studies and everyday school activities. Having these resources has motivated her to attend classes regularly and focus more closely on her learning. I am thankful to Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines for supporting students like her and encouraging them to pursue their education with confidence.”
Since commencement, Project Vidya has positively impacted more than 37,000 students across Kuraloi, Jamkhani and Ghogharpalli through initiatives that support learning at every stage. These include the deployment of 21 additional teachers in government schools, support for Anganwadi centres, learning aids, reference books, classroom infrastructure and programmes that promote holistic development through sports, science and awareness activities. The initiative forms an integral part of Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines’ broader community development efforts, which have positively impacted more than 2 lakh people across 26 villages in Jharsuguda and Sundargada district, through programmes spanning across education, healthcare, livelihoods and social development. Through sustained investments in people and communities, the company remains committed to creating lasting social impact and enabling inclusive, sustainable growth across its neighbouring regions.
