Jharsuguda: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, conducted a book collection drive for employees to donate books for local children in Jharsuguda.
The initiative, undertaken on the occasion of International Children’s Book Day, saw employees donating more than 600 books to the District Library in Jharsuguda and also to mini libraries set up in Nand Ghars, which are modernized anganwadis run by Vedanta, supported by the company in Badmal, Bhurkhamunda, Harijanpada, and Bhagipali villages.
Employees also volunteered to conduct book reading and storytelling sessions with children studying at Nand Ghars.
Book donation drive is one of several initiatives undertaken by Vedanta Jharsuguda to improve access to quality education, augment education infrastructure in schools and enhance the learning experience of students in the region.
These initiatives have played a significant role in bringing down illiteracy by 60% in the region in 2022 from 2019 baseline, with 36% more students completing class 5 (primary education), 10% more completing class 8 (high school education) and 96% more class 12 (senior secondary education).
Speaking about the company’s education initiatives for local communities, Vedanta Ltd Jharsuguda CEO Sunil Gupta said: “We, at Vedanta Aluminium, firmly believe that education is a powerful tool for social and economic transformation. Our employees were delighted to be part of the children’s book donation drive and help the young ones discover a large treasure trove of stories and new things to learn. Through our robust education programs, we remain committed to supporting the students and local academia community in strengthening this foundation of growth and progress.”