Odisha’s Sundargarh district gets VeDakshata skills training centre

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step toward youth empowerment, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has inaugurated a new skills training centre named ‘VeDakshata’ at Bileimunda village in Odisha’s tribal-dominated Sundargarh district. The centre aims to provide placement-linked vocational training to underprivileged youth from Sundargarh’s Hemgir block and the nearby Lakhanpur block in Jharsuguda district.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dasarathi Saraboo, Sub-Collector, Sadar, Sundargarh, alongside notable guests including Gopal Padhan (Ex-Chairman, Hemgir Block), Sanyasi Bag (Sarpanch, Garjanjore) and Sunanda Kalo.

With 105 students already enrolled in its first batch, ‘VeDakshata’ has received a strong response from the local community. The centre boasts modern infrastructure, including a multipurpose hall, a digital training room, specialized trade classrooms, and separate hostel facilities for boys and girls.

Speaking on the occasion, Dasarathi Saraboo lauded Vedanta Aluminium’s initiative, stating, “‘VeDakshata’ skills training centre is a transformative initiative for this region. I appreciate Vedanta Aluminium for equipping young minds with industry-relevant training and facilitating placement opportunities. This initiative not only uplifts the youth but also drives economic progress in the district.”

Sunil Gupta, COO of Vedanta Aluminium, highlighted the company’s commitment to socio-economic development, saying, “Skilling the youth lies at the heart of our mission to uplift the socio-economic fabric of the region. The ‘VeDakshata’ skills training centre embodies our steadfast commitment to equipping youngsters with market-relevant skills, empowering them to seize sustainable earning opportunities and thrive in a competitive world.”

Kanshajit Bhaumic, COO of Coal Mines, Vedanta Aluminium, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the centre aligns with the company’s vision of fostering self-reliant communities through targeted skill-building initiatives.