Sambalpur: Hindalco Industries Limited, an Aditya Birla Group company, has been driving a socio-economic shift in Hirakud municipality in Odisha’s Sambalpur district through its support to Mahashakti Foundation.
Under ‘Project Shakti’, its flagship women empowerment and livelihood initiative, Hindalco is helping women to become entrepreneurs, artisans and service providers.
“Anchored in the belief that sustainable livelihoods are the foundation of genuine empowerment, Project Shakti focuses on strengthening women-led non-farm enterprises by formalising informal livelihoods. The initiative combines skill development, statutory compliance, access to infrastructure and strong market linkages to help women transition from subsistence activities to viable, income-generating businesses,” said Kailash Pandey, Mining Business Head and Cluster Head of Hindalco.
Launched in December, Project Shakti has so far directly benefited 55 women across 11 villages under Hirakud municipality, strengthened self-help group (SHG) networks covering 120
SHG families and influenced nearly 1,200 women-led livelihood activities, informed Pandey.
“Building on this foundation, the project has set an ambitious future target of reaching 5,000 women beneficiaries through enterprise development, skill enhancement and institutional convergence,” he added.
Among the notable success stories under the project is ‘Om Shanti Delight Catering Services,’ a women-run community kitchen in Hirakud’s New Market area.
It began as a small informal meal service by Golap and Shusama Swain for daily wage workers, but evolved into a fully-licensed catering enterprise engaging 20 SHG women.
Through structured mentoring in food safety, hygiene, pricing, portion control and service professionalism, along with facilitation of FSSAI, GST and Shop & Establishment registrations, the catering enterprise received significant support, including 70 per cent funding for kitchen and catering equipment.
Project Shakti has also played a big role in reviving Saura tribal art in Nimpali village, by transforming cultural heritage into a sustainable livelihood.
Interested SHG women were mobilised and provided training and exposure visits to Kalahandi, followed by continuous handholding, raw material support and regular practice sessions at the community hall.
They were given the chance for providing live demonstrations at a CSR event in Jharsuguda, which received widespread appreciation and market interest.