Lanjigarh: Vedanta Limited (Lanjigarh unit) concluded its ten day long program for Women’s Day in Lanjigarh Block of Kalahandi district. The biggest ever International Women’s Day celebration in Kalahandi was held at Lanjigarh Ground on 9th March 2019. The program started with the lighting of the lamp and witnessed a gathering of more than 3000 women from nearby 60 villages of Lanjigarh.
Women’s Day celebrations were underway over the past ten days where many activities and fun games including Rangoli competition, tug of war were undertaken. In addition, an intensive two-day training program was conducted for 36 Child Care Centre teachers in aligning them with best practices towards child care and teaching skills. All of these culminated in a grand celebration on 9th March, 2019.
Commenting on the grand closing ceremony, Mr. Rakesh Mohan, Chief Operating Officer, Vedanta, said, “We are delighted to be part of this community that works and lives with us here in Kalahandi. Each year, our extended family and all our employees take this opportunity to celebrate women, their contributions to our economy, community and our lives. They are an integral part of our existence and success on ground and we salute their contributions to the growth story of Kalahandi. We endeavour to continue our efforts in making an impact in the lives of these women and keep empowering them”.
The day was filled with cultural programs like Sambalpuri dance, Adivasi dance, singing, a skit on women and its development, 10 stalls with games, food, tribal art and sand art being showcased along with free health check-up camps set up by Vedanta Hospital.
Amongst others, many local officials, beneficiaries, opinion makers and leaders, government personnel were present at the event. Vedanta also invited the world renowned Odissi Dancer, Shrimati Swapna Sinha, who along with her team, enthralled the audience with her performance.
In line with its community engagement outreach, Vedanta has been conducting this event for the past many years with great success. The event saw a 100% increase in presence this year over the last year and the company is only expecting this to increase. Over the course of the program, women from 8 panchayats who had participated in seven smaller events and contests conducted this year, were also awarded.
The closing ceremony witnessed around 2500 people in attendance including over 1500 women. The winners were felicitated in contests held earlier in the week in singing and dancing.
There was also a unique experience sharing session where local women from the Self Help Groups, various beneficiaries from projects including Dhokra Art and Tribal Painting, Shiksha Sambal spoke to the audience about their lives and stories which were well received by the audience. Kabita Bhoi from Banipanga village, studying in 8th standard under Vedanta’s Shiksha Sambal project, spoke about Children’s will for studying and how Vedanta’s intervention has resulted in more teachers joining the Banipanga High School. Jasoda Behera, who runs a paper plate making business successfully said, “Vedanta supports and involves us in income-generating activities which have made me and others like me self-employed and financially independent.”
All the women who shared their personal experiences were applauded for their courage and resilience, while the company resolved to further support them in their respective fields.
The winners of the contests are as follows:
Best ANM Puspalata Sethi, Lanjigarh Best AWW Parvati Takri, Kendubardi Best support to school teacher Nilendri Harijan, Chhatarpur Best teacher under Shiksha Sambal Lopamudra, Muniguda Best CCC worker Ms Pratima Sahu, Chanalima; Subarna Dei, Harekrushnapur Best ASHA Chandrakanti Kumbhar, LanjigarhBest police officer Jamuna Beshra Best CISF women Tapaswini Kumar, Peregrine Guarding Pvt. Ltd. Best OISF Deepika Ghosh – Constable, OISFBest SHG promotor Basanti Swain and Subarna NayakBest hospital Lady staff Ms. Anjana Hial Best CHC staff nurse Mamtamayee Pradhan Best SHG 1. Maa Mahalakshmi, Gopinathpur 2. Taratarini, Asurpada 3. Maa Thakurani, Pujaripada, Lanjigarh
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