Bhubaneswar, 7thAugust 2023: In a one-of-its-kind, inclusive step within the domestic manufacturing sector, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has introduced a ground-breaking ‘Gender Reaffirmation Leaves and Compensation Policy’ for LGBTQ+ employees employed at its operations. The policy extends to staff members at all its locations, including its mega aluminium smelter in Jharsuguda, Odisha, its world-class alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, and its subsidiary BALCO, India’s iconic aluminium producer based in Chhattisgarh.
The policy supports all employees contemplating the transformative journey of gender reassignment through surgery, and is a significant addition tothe company’sextensive Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) efforts. Through this, Vedanta Aluminium also seeks to inspire progressive action across the Indian manufacturing landscape, which has traditionally witnessed a low diversity ratio.Already, two transgender professionals at BALCO have availed of the support offered through the policy.
Vedanta Aluminium’s new ‘Gender Reaffirmation Leaves and Compensation Policy’ supports transgender employees with a one-time grant of 2 lakh rupees, which will help cover expenses related to gender reassignment surgery. Additionally, it offers a 30-day paid leave of absence, ensuring a comforting transition period focused on self-care to every individual who opts to avail of the policy. The company has also established world-class residential townshipswith several amenities for employees at each of its locations.Together, they add to the supportive environment created by Vedanta Aluminium, actively encouraging individual growth and self-discovery among its diverse employees.
Underscoring the importance of this cause, Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Ltd. – Aluminium Business said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we are committed to creating a workplace where each team member feels empowered to be their true selves. By ensuring that all our roles are gender-agnostic and our hiring approach remains focused only on talent and ability, we are working towards building an inclusive future for the global aluminium industry as well.”
Mr. Dilip Sinha, CHRO, Vedanta Ltd. – Aluminium Business added, “The new gender reaffirmation policy is an added demonstration of our commitment to fostering a workplace where diversity isn’t just accepted but celebrated. We recognise that these journeys are deeply personal and transformative, and therefore strive to provide a safe, nurturing environment that enables each individual to express themselves in the most authentic manner possible.”
Appreciating the initiative, Ms. Vidya Rajput, a member of the Transgender Welfare Society and the President of Chhattisgarh Mitwa Sankalp Samiti, said, “I wholeheartedly appreciate Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to supporting its transgender employees in their gender reaffirmation journeys. In recognizing the significance of gender affirmation, the company stands as a pioneering business in the country, setting a remarkable example for its peers to follow.”
Vedanta Aluminium now employs nearly 30 transgender employees across all of its locations, in diverse roles ranging from asset security to materials movement to hospitality.To ease the transgender community’s accelerated transition from the margins of society to major manufacturing operations, Vedanta Aluminium has adopted a three-pronged approach involving:
• Evaluating and identifying transgender professionals displaying the appropriate skills needed for working within a major manufacturing operation through skill mapping studies
• Comprehensive skill augmentationfor new recruits focused on operational skills, soft skills and business knowledge
Establishing an inclusive, enablingatmosphere through gender-sensitization sessions on the social and psychological challenges of transgender people, recommended ways of working and infrastructural augmentations

Bhubaneswar:  The Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar, celebrated its momentous 61st Foundation Day with grandeur and fervour. The commemoration showcased the Institute’s rich legacy of academic excellence, cultural heritage, and unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability. The event, graced by distinguished guests and attended by the staff members of the Institute, retired teaching and non-teaching staff, alumni proved to be a remarkable display of unity, creativity, and educational prowess. Demonstrating a commitment to environmental consciousness, the Institute organized plantation drive in the campus to create a sustainable and eco-friendly campus environment, symbolizing the Institute’s dedication to nurturing responsible citizens for the future.

Addressing the students and staff of the lead institute Padmashree Kumkum Mohanty, the famous Odishi dancer as the Chief Guest reiterated the need for focussing on art, culture and other curricular activities for holistic development of students. Appreciating the glory of the institutions, she urged the students and teachers for their active roles in character and value development. She also highlighted the benefits of upholding the Indian culture, heritage and purity as we advance into future. To explain this, she gave a beautiful metaphor of a lotus which represents humbleness and purity. The distinguished presence of Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Hon’ble Director NCERT, New Delhi, graced the event as the esteemed Guest of Honour. “The Institution has been leading in school education and teacher education in the country and all the members have to work collaboratively for its further growth and promotion of excellence in education”, he said. Prof. Sandyarani Sahoo, Dean of Instructions, briefed about the significant achievement of the Institution in lusty six decades.

Prof. P.C. Agarwal, Principal of the Institute welcomed the guests for their gracious presence. He spoke in detail about programmes that commenced in recent years, like training, research, development and extension programmes. As an anchor institution, RIE Bhubaneswar has led in promoting excellence and quality in school education and teacher education in the country. Significant contribution of the institution in development and implementation of policies and curriculum framework, G-20 Jan Bhagidari activities s and international collaborations were highlighted by Prof. Agarwal.

The programme proceeded with the felicitation of all the retired teaching and non-teaching staff. There was a captivating segment of cultural performances by the students the institution. The event was coordinated by Dr. Kalinga Ketaki. Formal vote of thanks was given by Puskar Behera, administrative officer.

Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Odisha, Prof. Chakradhar Tripathi, graced the UNMESHA (Festival of Expression) 2023, Asia’s Largest International Literature Festival held at Ravindra Bhawan, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, today on 04 August 2023. He highlighted the value of the ancient Indian Knowledge system, thought, and philosophy in his address. He said, “Indian knowledge system, Indian philosophy, Indian culture inspire for the welfare of the whole world. Our philosophy believes in one world and one family”. The creativities reflected in ancient Indian literature like the Veda, Upanishad, and Puranans, the Indian philosophy and cultural ethos enriched the social values of one world, one family. The divine relationship between Meera and Lord Krishan signifies the divine love and creativity of the world. He urged “to reflect the knowledge and thoughts of India in the literature for the betterment of the world.” He also highlighted the salient features of NEP2020 on this occasion, where the creativity of Indian knowledge has been reflected. He emphasized translating Indian books in foreign languages and foreign books in Indian languages by citing the translation work of the English Department, Central University of Odisha.

The Governor of Chhattisgarh, His Excellency Shri Biswabhusan Harichandan; Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Prof. Girishwar Mishra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India; also addressed the Festival. The festival organized by The Sahitya Academy was started on August 3, 2023, and will continue till August 6, 2023. This is the second edition of ‘ UNMESHA’.

The ‘UNMESHA’ is India’s most inclusive literary festival, and it is not only Asia’s largest literary festival in terms of representation of the number of languages, but it is soon on its way to becoming the world’s largest literary festival. A new set of writers participated in the discussions, and their creativity got new directions. More than 575 authors from 100 languages participated in the festival. Apart from India, writers from 13 other countries also participated in the festival.

At the International Literature Festival, apart from the multilingual story and poetry recitation, many other topics were being discussed for the first time. These topics include Literature of Physicians, Ocean Literature, Rise of Machines – Authorless Literature, Creativity-enhancing education, and Translation. Other important topics to be discussed are Indian poetry, Indian devotional literature, the cultural heritage of India, unity in diversity, cinema and literature, etc.

Writers, scholars, journalists, translators, publishers, cultural workers, theater workers, and filmmakers from India and abroad participated in this International Literary Festival. Books from Sahitya Akademi and other literary institutions will also be available at attractive discounts during the festival.

Bhubaneswar : The rapid advances made by modern technology in the industry and service sectors demands a revamp in skill development programs for youth, globally. To meet this demand, the World Skill Center Bhubaneswar (WSC) has rightly designed advanced diploma programs covering different modern subjects to upskill Odisha youth.

The online applications are currently open for the September 2023 session at the World Skill Center.

As per the recent announcement by WSC, the last date of application for various courses is set as 15th August 2023. Eligible students will then be selected for various courses through a special entrance test conducted online.

The World Skill Center, a premier skill development facility of the country created under the ‘Skilled In Odisha’ vision of Govt of Odisha, offers 7 advanced one-year programs under its two departments, the School of Engineering and the School of Services.

Along with a global skill pedagogy and an industry-ready approach, the WSC offers hostel facility, uniform and logistics to the students free of cost. The Chairperson of Odisha Skill Development Authority and CEO of World Skill Center Alka Misra has invited the parents & students to take advantage of the various training programs at WSC and give wings to the youth.

The World Skill Center has 5 modern subjects under its School of Engineering namely; Mechatronics, Electrical Technology, Mechanical & Electrical Services, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration and Vertical Transportation. Students who have passed 2-year ITI or 3-year diploma from any government or private industrial training institute of the state can apply for admission.

Similarly, there are 2 market-oriented courses under the School of Services namely ‘Hair Fashion and Design’ and ‘Beauty Wellness and Spa’. The educational qualification for this training program is +2 or Diploma in any subject.

The WSC has a dynamic and industry aligned curriculum with necessary infrastructure, ultramodern labs and advanced tools, apparatus and technology. The programs at the World Skill Center are being managed in collaboration with ITEES, a Singapore based organization renowned in technical education and skill development. The center aims to create global standard human resources who can work in diverse organizations and challenging environments.

The center emphasizes subject-oriented technical training and hands-on practice in real-time projects to prepare students for the industrial needs. Additionally, students are trained in ‘Life Skills’ such as communication, computer application & digital literacy, personality development, and entrepreneurial acumen.

Opportunities for international experience are offered at WSC, with 40 students getting a chance to visit Singapore for industrial practice under a 15-day Student Exchange program every year. Similarly, every year, 24 students are selected to pursue paid international internship opportunity at renowned companies in Singapore.

Students of various industrial training institutions join the World Skill Center with an aspiration for a bright career. This world class training infrastructure developed on a finishing school model helps polish skills of the youth to make them industry ready. Additionally, the students are provided placement assistance so they get opportunity to join renowned national and international companies.

The World Skill Center with it’s unique vision & programs has become a unique initiative under the Odisha Skill Development Authority by the Skill Development and Technical Education Department, Govt of Odisha. Established at Mancheswar Industrial Estate in Bhubaneswar, the center upskills students with state of the art infra & courses.

Candidates can directly apply online through the website www.worldskillcenter.org. For more information on the application process, candidates can call on the toll-free number 1800 266 6002, the World Skill Center has informed.

Bhubaneswar,3rd August 2023:Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium,has partnered with the renowned Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) to introduce a broom-making initiative as a part of the several entrepreneurship development opportunities offered under Project Subhalaxmi Udyogini, the second phase of Subhalaxmi Cooperative,one of India’s largest rural women’s co-operatives supported by Vedanta Aluminium.

The enterprise was inauguratedat Chelliapada village in the Kirmira Block of Jharsuguda, in the presence of Mrs. Krishnapriya Sahu, Block Chairman of Kirmira Block and the board members of the Subhalaxmi Cooperative. It was also inaugurated at Taraikela village inKolabira Gram Panchayat, in the presence of Mr. ChetaniyaNaie, Gram Sarpanch. The broom-making enterprise willinvolve over 100 women from 15 villages in Kirmira and Kolabira blocks in the collection of naturally-grownbroom grass, and subsequently in producingeco-friendly brooms.The enterprise plans to manufacture nearly 12,000 brooms per month over the next six months, after which production will be scaled up further. Thebrooms will be deposited at a broom collection centremanaged by members of the Subhalaxmi Cooperative, through which the brooms will be furtherdistributed to wholesalers for sale.

By establishing an efficient broom production and marketing enterprise, the program seeks to enhance productivity, streamline distribution channels, and create a sustainable market for eco-friendly brooms.Through the program, the company also aims to empower the community with sustainable livelihood opportunities by fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship among women, in turn working towards the overall economic development of the region.

Encouraging the entrepreneurial spirits of the cooperative members, Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Limited – Aluminium Business said “The Subhalaxmi Co-operative stands as a remarkable testament to the positive outcomes of corporate and community collaboration, fostering genuine social and economic empowerment for rural women. We at Vedanta Aluminium are committed to supporting their remarkable achievements.With the recent launch of the broom-making initiative under Project Subhalaxmi Udyogini, we are further reinforcing our commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs in the region.”

Appreciating the company for undertaking the initiative, Ms. Krishnapriya Sahu, Block Chairman, Kirmira Block, Jharsuguda,said “Efforts such as the broom-making enterprise by Vedanta Aluminium hold immense significance in empowering rural women, offering them the means to flourish as entrepreneurs and catalysing overall economic growth in the region. I wholeheartedly encourage all members of the cooperative to actively engage with this initiative and leverage the economic benefits it presents, not only to support their families but also to inspire a brighter future for the entire community.

The highlights of Subhalaxmi Cooperative’s journey so far include:


– Western Odisha’s largest &one of India’s largest rural women’s co-operatives, that is a self-governed community supporting 372 Self-Help Groups with more than 4350 members.

– Empowering more than 1,800 women entrepreneurs on farm & non-farm trades within the last 2 years alone, supportingthem with micro-finance, skill development, financial literacy, market linkages

– Created a fund base of about INR 4 crores and conducted business of INR 38.13 crores since inception, supporting the cooperative members with around 19,200 loans

– Acting as a bridge between community members and various welfare schemes developed by the Indian government for their socio-economic empowerment.

– Scaling micro-enterprises like fast food centres, poultry & vegetable farms, grocery stores, beauty parlours, tailoring centres and many more.

– ‘Subhalaxmi Mahila Kalyan Panthi’ – a unique social welfare fund providing financial support to expecting mothers, scholarships to meritorious students, support in case of demise of spouse, etc, to more than 1400 beneficiaries.

– Governed by 15 elected Board of Directors, developing a cadre of women leaders through co-operative affairs and management workshops.

Vedanta Jharsuguda’s social interventions in the domains of sustainable livelihood, quality education, women empowerment, health, water and sanitation, bio-investment and community infrastructure reach out to 80 villages in Jharsuguda and nearby areas, benefiting over 3 lakh people in a year. It empowers more than 4350 women from over 370 SHGs, provides doorstep healthcare services to about 43,000 people annually, gives educational support to more than 13,000 students.

 New Delhi -Odisha-based Centurion University of Technology & Management (CUTM) has formally announced the inception of a School of Law on its campus in Jatni near Bhubaneswar. The inaugural ceremony of the School of Law turned out to be a landmark event, graced by the presence of acclaimed dignitaries, such as former Supreme Court judges Hon’ble Justice Mr. MR Shah, Hon’ble Justice Mr. Dinesh Maheshwari and Hon’ble Advocate General of Odisha Mr Ashok Parija, among other senior officials, advocates and academicians.

Sharing her thoughts on the inception of the School of Law at CUTM, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Supriya Pattanayak said, “The colossal event displays the distinctive tradition of the Centurion University to cater to the diverse needs of students and the society. The School of Law at CUTM will focus on making students future ready to navigate the legal complexities and make a profound impact at the national and international level.”

The dignitaries acknowledged the robust infrastructure of the law school and commended the team for their phenomenal and vibrant moot court hall. The initiative of establishing a law school aimed at imparting quality legal education and experiential learning was lauded by our legal fraternity. The hands-on legal training, which would be imparted to the law students, was cited to be one of the best methodologies of disseminating legal education.

The inauguration of the School of Law comes less than a month after CUTM, the only university in India to be recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Ministry of Skill Development, inked an MoU with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the country’s top ranked central university, for institutional collaboration, enabling sharing of knowledge, experience and best practices while delivering industry-driven skill-integrated higher and vocational education.

Bhubaneswar: Observing World Nature Conservation Day (July 28), Vedanta Aluminium, the largest aluminium producer in India, commenced extensive afforestation efforts, based on the unique Miyawaki method, for the first time ever in the vicinity of its Jamkhani coal mines in Sundargarh district, Odisha. Following this up on International Tiger Day (July 29) with widespread awareness efforts among community members on the crucial need to conserve the magnificent feline, Vedanta Aluminium is deploying comprehensive efforts to raise awareness and intensify actions around nature conservation.
Pioneered by noted Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, the Miyawaki method of tree plantation is an effective way to create dense, multilayered plantations using native species within a very short span. Commencing the initiative on 1 acre of land on the periphery of its Jamkhani coal mines, the company intends to quickly scale this up to cover over 61 hectares of land within just two years’ time. The resultant plantation will be self-sustaining in nature with an estimated 12,50,000 plants, including several fruit-bearing species.
In addition, on the occasion of International Tiger Day recently, employee volunteers atVedanta Aluminium’s units across Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh conducted engaging awareness sessions in multiple schools in the vicinity of their operational locations. They focused on educatingyoung minds about the importance of preserving tigers, which are an important keystone species that help preserve several other species, thereby conserving entire ecosystems. The awareness sessions were also undertaken for community members atseveral Nand Ghars, which are modernized anganwadis supported by Vedanta that act as free hubs of women and child development.
On the occasion, Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Limited – Aluminium Businesscommented, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we wholeheartedly embrace nature conservation as a fundamental of sustainable business practices. We proudly call ourselves ‘green hearts’as we pursue impactful initiatives to conserve and foster thriving natural ecosystems while simultaneously sensitizing communities about the best practices for the same. With unwavering dedication, we strive to pioneer eco-conscious approaches that safeguard our planet for the legacy of generations to come.”
Adding his views, Mr V. Srikanth, CEO (Mines), Vedanta Ltd – Aluminium Business said, “Preserving nature is not just an environmental imperative; it’s also a crucial, shared obligation and a strategic interest for both businesses and society. As joint stewards of this planet, weare consistently focusing on embracing sustainable practices and championing conservation efforts. This will help build a thriving future that respects and protects the precious resources nature has to offer.”

Vedanta Aluminium is establishingscientifictargets towardsresource efficiencies and conservation, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development. The company undertakes its environmental stewardship efforts aligned with the philosophy of ‘Lifestyle for Environment – LiFE’ a Government of India initiativeand the UN Sustainable Development Goals 14 & 15focusing on conserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems.
The company’s mega aluminium smelter at Jharsuguda, world-class alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, iconic subsidiary BALCO at Korba, Chhattisgarh and its extensive mining and port operations are also spurring collective community action to conserve nature.Recently, the company established a lush new Butterfly Park within its premises at Jharsuguda,featuring over 100 meticulously curated selections of plant species that will attract and nurture more than 30 rare and exquisite butterfly species providing them with a nurturing habitat.
Vedanta Aluminium consistentlyorganises mega plantation drives, while actively engaging employee volunteers and local communities in extensive city clean-up efforts across its operations. Furthermore, the company has alsodeployed electric vehicles for on-site travel alongside organising awareness rallies and online workshops aimed at fostering informed, sustainable lifestyle choices to conserve and foster nature.The company undertook the restoration of over 40 waterbodies around its business units to rejuvenate the aquatic life and support the livelihoods of the local communities.
The company has embarked on an extensive range of natural conservation projects across its business units, achieving several milestones in the journey:
Planted around 2.5 lakh saplings in FY23 towards enhancing community access to green cover
Recycled 13.69 billion litres of water in FY23, in the journey towards water-positive operations
Partnered with global environment conservation firm ERM, to bolster the company’s biodiversity management plan
Conservation awareness talks for employees, their families and community members, led by notable conservationists such as Ramveer Tanwar (Pond Man of India) and Rakesh Khatri (Nest Man of India)
Planting saplings of Chloroxylon Swietenia, commonly known as Ceylon satinwood, to help conserve the vulnerable species
Substantial contributions to the conservation of Schedule 1 species, such as through community awareness sessionon the need to protect the yellow monitor lizard species.
Training women under the Vedanta Sakhi project in beekeeping and honey production as a remunerative avenue for livelihood
Installation of birdhouses and nests in the company’s residential townships to support bird conservation at and around operations. Watering stations were installed across peripheral areas to provide hydration for birds and animals during hot weather.

Bhubaneswar, 30th July 2023 : Startup India, in collaboration with Startup Odisha, concluded a transformative two-day workshop tailored exclusively for women entrepreneurs in the state. The workshop offered aspiring and existing women entrepreneurs a unique platform to learn, network, and seek guidance from industry leaders, with an emphasis on empowerment and growth.

Startup Odisha kicked off the first day with an informative discussion premised around the journey to building a robust startup ecosystem in the state. Startup India followed it by highlighting its programs and efforts, such as the 80-IAC Tax Exemption and DPIIT Recognition. There were many expert sessions focused on the importance of digital marketing as well as financial modelling for startups. Women founders also conducted insightful sessions on their individual business path and the value of strong female role models. The day came to a close with a presentation on “How to Raise Funds for Your Startup” by Mr. Manoj Agarwal, Founder & Managing Partner of SEA Fund, and Mr. Anil Joshi, Managing Partner of Unicorn India Ventures.

An interesting session for selected women entrepreneurs on pitching to investors and incubators wasoverseenbyManyeminentleadersonthesecondday.IncludingtheGovernmentE-Market place’s(GeM) Business Facilitator, provided participants with in sight ful information on the GeM followed by an insight ful presentation on harnessing the NITIA ayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform to wrap off the program.

The program’s objective was to encourage and promote women entrepreneurs in Odisha, just as it succeeded in fostering a thriving startup community. Startup Odisha continues to be dedicated to supporting the growth of the state’s entrepreneurial community through its curated knowledge-led programs. The project is resolute in its commitment to helping women entrepreneurs, offering constant encouragement and motivation to fuel expansion and prosperity. As it did with its ground-breaking workshop, Startup Odisha is persistently advancing Odisha toward being a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.

India’s best private skill university Centurion University added another feather to its cap by inaugurating School of Law at Jatni campus. Hon’ble Mr. M.R. Shah, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, Hon’ble Mr. Dinesh Maheshwari, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, Adv. Ashok Parija Hon’ble Advocate General of Odisha inaugurated this school.
We have been approved by the Bar Council of India for two under graduate courses like BA LLB integrated, BBA LLB integrated course, LLM in Maritime Law, LLM in Commercial Law and Ph.D in Law. We have smart classrooms, hi-tech Moot court hall, and legal aid clinic. I am happy to share that, we will soon start with international exchange programmes for our students and faculty and we already have an MOU for academic exchange with National Law University, Odisha said Dr. Pallab Das, Dean, School of Law, Centurion University.
Honorable Justice Mr. Dinesh Maheshwari expressed his elation saying, “I am deeply honored to be a part of this joyous occasion as Centurion University takes a giant stride towards nurturing legal education and excellence. The establishment of the School of Law reflects the University’s commitment to empowering the next generation of legal professionals and imparting knowledge that will contribute to a just and fair society. I commend the vision and dedication of the university in creating this platform for aspiring law students to thrive and make a positive impact on the world. I have great faith that this institution will continue to be a beacon of knowledge and transformation, and I extend my best wishes for the success of the School of Law. Let us together look forward to witnessing the promising journey of Centurion University’s legal education.”
Honorable Justice Mr. M R Shah said, “The legal profession holds a profound responsibility in upholding the principles of justice, equality, and fairness in society. I am delighted to see institutions like Centurion University taking proactive steps to nurture and shape the legal minds of tomorrow. The blend of traditional and applied learning, along with a focus on real-world impact, promises to equip the young legal aspirants with the necessary skills and knowledge required to excel in this field. I am optimistic that the School of Law will become a hub for legal excellence, producing graduates who will not only be competent professionals but also advocates for positive societal change. My heartfelt congratulations to Centurion University for this endeavor, and I extend my best wishes to the faculty and the students embarking on this educational journey. May this institution continue to shine as a beacon of legal enlightenment and contribute significantly to the rule of law and justice in our nation.”
Prof. Supriya Pattanayak, Vice-Chancellor, Centurion University, Prof. Mukti Mishra, President, Centurion University, students and faculties were present in the event.

New Delhi;28thJuly 2023:Vedanta Aluminium, the largest aluminium producer in India, also has among the largest captive thermal power portfolios in India,with a massive capacity of about 5500 MW of thermal power spread across Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh in Odisha and BALCO in Korba, Chhattisgarh. The responsibility of keeping this complex and extensive aluminium production at peak performance has been entrusted to the company’s 5,500 thermal engineers and technical staff, who together comprise one of the largest pools of thermal power professionals in the country. Aluminium is the second most important metal in the world today and its production is a continuous process that relies on a non-stop supply of high-quality power. Together, they ensure that Vedanta Aluminium’s extensive power needs are met through a consistent and stable supply of thermal energy, helping it cater to the nation’s needs. The company’s power plants also provide critical power to the state electricity grids through designated power plant units.
On the occasion of National Thermal Engineers Day, Vedanta Aluminium recognizes the importance of nurturing and empowering these thermal engineers who drive the sector’s progress and contribute significantly to India’s energy safety and security. The robustness of the country’s energy sector and the expertise of its engineers is underscored by the fact that, during the severe energy crisis that recently engulfed several developed countries, India was able to ensure continued supply to billions of individuals and businesses.

Vedanta Aluminium is a strong proponent of Industry 4.0 and Web3 technologies to lead the adoption of smart manufacturing practices within the domestic industry. It is actively leveraging the possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML),Industrial internet of things (IIoT), digital twins, computer vision etc. to achieve increased resource efficiencies, reduced water consumption, an overall improvement in power plant efficiency, and enhanced asset management. This tech-led transformation is a three pronged effort through partnerships with (i) established global players,(ii) emerging tech startups and(iii) in-house digital experts and innovation cells.

For example, it recently augmented its Jharsuguda power plant operations with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)-based devices within the fabric filters in its stacks, which helped enhance emissions control. Other noteworthy initiatives include the successful R&M (Renovation and Modernization) of its 600MW units, performance overhauls of turbines, digitalization of coal handling, and predictive & prescriptive maintenance of boilers and turbines. By deploying GPS-enabled tracking and machine learning models trained on near-real-time satellite imagery, the company is now closely monitoring coal logistics to ensure consignment safety and eliminate any supply leakages.
This keen focus on best-in-class technologies has allowed the company to ensure industry-best sustainability that have made it the 2nd most sustainable company in the global aluminium industry, according to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index rankings for 2022.

The company is also experimenting with alternate fuels such as biomass and has successfully piloted such low-carbon fuels at all its power plants. Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Limited – Aluminium Business also said, “We are increasingly also making renewable energy a part of our power portfolio, enabling us to produce India’s first low carbon, ‘green’ aluminium, branded ‘Restora’ for global customers focused on ensuring the sustainable provenance of their raw materials. With a constant focus on the judicious management of resources and the phased integration of renewables into our energy mix, we are actively leading the industry’s transition to a Net Zero future.”

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Sunil Kumar Satya, CEO – Power, Vedanta Limited – Aluminium Business said, “Energy security is a vital benchmark of a country’s progress, and thermal engineers play a crucial role in ensuring its achievement. At Vedanta Aluminium, our talented team of engineers are implementing tech-led interventions to optimize our processes. This mix of top-level talent backed by world-class technologies has resulted in perhaps the country’s most sustainable thermal operations. We are committed to nurturing our workforce of thermal engineers, providing an environment that fosters innovation and empowers them to shape the future of our operations and contribute to India’s energy security.”

With this close focus on ensuring excellence, Vedanta Aluminium’s operations have witnessed exceptional growth and achievements. With each of its business units being recognised as a ‘Great Place To Work’ several times over, the company is dedicated to strengthening its pool of thermal engineers through comprehensive training programs, exposure to the latest technologies, and industry-leading career growth opportunities.