Report by OD bureau, Bhubaneswar: Women Empowerment Initiatives seems to have taken a big leap at Lanjigarh and its periphery in Kalahandi district of Odisha as 117 women of 11 Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the region will be engaged in income generation activities like Applique work, Leaf and cup plate, Hill broom binding, Phenyl making and Agarbatti making etc. Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL) initiated the programme in collaboration with the District Industries Centre (DIC), Kalahandi.

These women, mostly tribal, are expected to earn Rs 1000-1500 per month after the start of the income generation activity. The training programme was started in October, 2012 at the Niyamgiri Vedanta Nagar and Basantpada where member of three SHGs participated. Women in villages of Basantpada, Kenduguda, Kansari, Parvatipur, Baterlima and Bandhguda will be part of the programme initially.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Mukesh Kumar – President & COO, VAL, said, “Strengthening women of Lanjigarh region is one of our prime focus. In the time to come, we will bring more women in this income generation programme.”

Two well experienced Master Trainers Mr. Narayan Yadav and Mr. Saroj Manhira, identified by DIC, were present to impart training on the different trades. Mr. Avilash Dwivedi – Head-CSR, VAL was instrumental in organizing the programme along with other CSR members like Sweety Mukherjee and Niharika Sahu.

Earlier, an inaugural session for the skill development training Programme was organised on 12th Sept, 2012 which was attended by General Manager District Industries Centre (DIC), Kalahandi Miss Meena Kumari Behera and Mr. K R Kundu, Head-HR (VAL).

VAL, Lanjigarh has taken up the project to enhance the quality of life of the SHG members and ensuring their empowerment in family and social decision making process. So far 22 SHG’s have been strengthened covering 238 women in 12 villages.