Utkal Alumina Project ‘Kaushalya’ Empowering Women Of Odisha’s Rayagada

Bhubaneswar: Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), a unit of Aditya Birla Group’s project ‘Kaushalya’ has made a phenomenal difference to the lives of more than 150 rural women in the Rayagada district of Odisha in the past five years.  

Under this project, women are trained in tailoring and applique making enabling them to earn a livelihood.  They are also trained in the cost calculation and production requirements of a tailoring unit.  Utkal Alumina has also supported some of these women in securing fabric and other stitching accessories. The minimum earning from this tailoring venture for every woman is up to Rs 3500 every month. 

N. Nagesh, unit head, who first steered this project and has now moved to Hindalco, Renukoot comments, “This is a very heart-warming project because we have been able to help so many women lead a better quality of life through economic independence.  It has bolstered their confidence as well as self-esteem significantly.  We are much encouraged by our iconic Chairperson, Mrs. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson, Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, who believes that we must Engage, Uplift and Empower our women