Dongria Kondhas attend Ratha Yatra at Lanjigarh

Hundreds of devotees poured in with religious fervor and enthusiasm to take part in the grand Rath Yatra (Car Festival) at Lanjigarh which was organized by Lanjigarh Yubak Sangh in association with Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL).
Amidst chanting of mantras and bhajans, the holy chariot of Lord Jagannath, Balram and Subhadra was taken out from the temple on Sunday evening to Mausima temple. Thousands of devotees including the Dongria Kondha people beheld the Pavitra Ratha Yatra which was also attended by Dr. Mukesh Kumar, President & COO – VAL. Dr. Mukesh Kumar participated in rolling out the holy Rath along with Dongria Kondha people like Jitu Jakasika and other employees of VAL.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukesh Kumar said, “Vedanta Always support and nurture the local culture of the region. People of Lanjigarh and its periphery are like family members to us and we are always with the community to celebrate such festivals.”
Among others also present from VAL were, Mr. Venkat Reddy – Head, Power Plant, Suvendu Panda, Sandeep Sethi, Sweety Mukherjee, Niharika Sahoo, Bhagaban Hota, Sweta Upadhyaya, Binaya Pattnaik and Alka Minj.
Safe drinking water and first Aid facility was provided by VAL at the venue for the devotees. Lanjigarh Anchalika Vikash Parishad President–Sridhara Pesnia conveyed his thankfulness to Vedanta for extending support to organize sucha a grand festival. Many local leaders were present during the festival including, Himadri Pesnia, Sanatan Rout, Srimukha Agasti, Kamraj Dalbehera, Satya Narayan Naik, Subas Mohapatra, Krushna Moharana. Other members of Lanjigarh yuvak Sangh were present to organize the festival.
Apart from Lanjigarh, Vedanta celebrated Rath Yatra with the local community in many nearby areas like Ambodala, Muniguda, Bissumcuttack and Narla which was attended by many tribal people and Dongria Kondha people.

Hundreds of villagers attend Health Camp at Chandanpur of Kalahandi

Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh organized a free Health Camp at Chandanpur village in Lanjigarh block of Kalahandi district, Orissa on June 22, 2011 at which nearly 300 villagers were examined and were distributed with medicines free of cost. The health Camp catered mostly people of nearby villages like Jodabandha, Gopinathapur, Nutanbaterlima, Khamankhunti and Chandanpur.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Mukesh Kumar said, “Vedanta Aluminium is concerned and will always take care the health care of tribal people in the region. We regularly organize health camps at nearby villages to make a healthy society around Lanjigarh. Recently we organized camps at Chhatrapur, Basantpada etc.”

Present on the occasion from VAL were Dr. R C Rout – Head-CSR, Ms Niharika Sahoo, Sweety Mukherjee, Surya Panigrahi and Padmini Sahu of CSR department. CDPO Pragyan Rani Barik was also present along with many Local leaders of Chandanpur.

Dr. Sabita Swain, Chief Medical Officer of Vedanta Hospital, Dr. Malaya Tripathy, MO (I/c) Govt. Hospital, Biswanthapur, Dr. S. K. Mishra, MS (Ortho), Dr. A. K. Sahu, Vedanta Aluminium Limited were present at the Health Camp to treat the patient.

Health & MHU Team of VAL went to nearby villages of the venue as a part of pre-publicity step to inform the villagers about the camp and doctors availability during the Health Camp about a week back.

VAL organizes health camps at nearby villages around Lanjigarh regularly which is a part of its aim to make a healthy society.

Ministry of Environment: No Toxic Leakage From Vedanta Aluminium's Refinery

NEW DELHI -(Dow Jones)- The ministry of environment and forests late Tuesday said there is no evidence of toxic leakage from the alumina refinery of Vedanta PLC's (VED.LN) India unit.

The London-based miner's Indian unit, Vedanta Aluminium Ltd., operates a 1 million metric tons a year alumina refinery in the eastern town of Lanjigarh.

Concerns were raised by Amnesty International and allegations in a section of the press regarding a leakage from the red mud pond of the alumina refinery because of heavy rain fall which polluted nearby water bodies, causing a high acidic level, the ministry said in a statement.

But the ministry said an investigation of water bodies around the refinery didn't show any increase in levels of acidity nor was there any breach in the red mud pond, which holds toxic refinery waste.

The federal government had earlier rejected Vedanta's proposal to mine the Niyamgiri hills near Lanjigarh to supply bauxite for the refinery. It has also declined permission to expand the refinery's production capacity to 6 million tons a year.

Source: FOX BUSINESS

Lanjigarh Observes World Environment Day

Loud slogans to care environment and to plant trees were heard from hundreds of school children and local leaders of Lanjigarh periphery area who participated in a ‘Green March’ organized by Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh to mark the World Environment Day-2011. Dr. Mukesh Kumar, President & COO – VAL, Lanjigarh made the flag up of the march who also led the rally.

The ‘Green March’ started from the VAL Township and covered villages like Jagganathpur, Kendubardi and Niyamgiri Vendanta Nagar. They made the villagers aware about the importance of environment and planting trees.

Initiating to convert dry lands into green valley, Dr. Mukesh Kumar announced that the time from June 5 to July 5, 2011 will be marked as ‘Green Month’ where thousands of saplings will be planted. “Since four to five years we have been organizing World Environment Day, likewise this year also. This year we have a special plan of planting more than 35,000 trees in 50 acres of land at and around Lanjigarh area.”

Dr. Mukesh Kumar planted a lot of trees along with other employees of VAL like Rajesh Mohata, Head–Commercial; G Venkat Reddy, Head–Power Plant; Dr. R C Rout – Head CSR & Environment; Satya Sahu from Environment and also local leaders like Sridhara Pesnia–President Lanjigahr Anchalika Vikas Parishad, Chandra Pesnia, Senapati Naik, Lanjigarh Sarapanch Saraswati Munda and several school children.

These plantations were organized at the VAL alumina refinery area, Chhatrapur village and other nearby areas. Dr. Mukesh Kumar encouraged the employees and local people of the nearby villagers to save environment and to plant trees to make the area green and beautiful.

The locals of Lanjigarh area were contended looking at the initiative taken by VAL-Lanjigarh. “Vedanta’s decision to plant 35 thousand trees at Lanjigarh area is a noble initiative. Every year they observe World Environment Day and plant trees but the idea of ‘Green Month’ is very impressive which will definitely make Lanjigarh greener.”

Dilip Tirkey attends Annual Day of DAV Vedanta International School

Former Indian hockey captain Padma Shri Dilip Tirkey was the star attraction of the 4th Annual Day Celebration of the DAV Vedanta International School at Lanjigarh whereas scintillating cultural programmes of Dongria Kondha dance–‘Kui Karisma’ and Rajsthani folk dance made the audience spell bound on the cultural fest on Saturday.
Stalwart Dilip Tirky graced the grand occasion as the Chief Guest and Dr Mukesh Kumar, President & Chief Operating Officer–Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh presided over the function. The function commenced with the lighting of the lamp, followed by the welcome speech by Ms. Sukla Chakraborty, Principal-DAV school. Mr. Sanjay Pattnaik, Vice president-HR, Mr. TPK Patro, Head-Finance of VAL were also present on the occasion.
Dillip Tirkey, in his address in epitome, appreciated the atmosphere around the school and said inspiring words to the students for the future endeavors.
Dr Mukesh Kumar in his motivating speech said, “There will be no constraint of abundant facilities in the form of infrastructure and finance. We will ensure the students here get the latest infrastructure/technology available in the country. Looking at the huge response from nearby tribal areas we constructed a pre-primary block.”
The prizes for excellence in different scholastic and co-scholastic areas were also given away by the invited guests. During the function, the 3rd issue of school magazine, VARTIKA, was released.
The atmosphere was quite enthralling with a variety of entertaining cultural programmes like songs, skits and dances performed by students. The audiences of about 1000 people were captivated by Kui Karisma, Genesh Gatha, Rangeela Rajsthani, Cricket Dance etc. The children also played a short drama – ‘Haal Behaal’ condemning the sky-rocketing price rise of essential commodities and burgeoning scams.
The DAV Vedanta International School, Lanjigarh is the only English medium school in Lanjigarh region with more than 350 students. The school has benefited a number of tribal students in the periphery area along with children of employees of Vedanta Aluminium limited.

Mountaineer Jogabyasa eyes Mt. Everest without Oxyzen

He has started his dream expedition on April 15. He will create history if he accomplishes the task. He is Jogabyasa Bhoi – an inspiring mountaineer from Rupra, a small pocket in the interior of Kalahandi district of Orissa. Jogabyasa, who works as a primary school near his village, has aimed to scale Mt. Everest without help of oxygen this time.

Jogabyasa loved climbing mountins since his childhood. He has also been lauded by former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Recently the young Kalahandia lad conquered the highest peak in South Africa Mt. Khilimanjaro in January 2011.

For his expedition to climb Mt. Everest he needed financial assistance and it was Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL), Lanjigarh – situated near his place – came to him. Dr. Mukesh Kumar, President and COO, VAL, Lanjigarh handed over a cheque of Rupees two lakhs to the promising mountaineer Jogabyasa.

On the occasion, Kumar said that Jogabyasa is pride of Kalahandi and also of VAL. Vedanta family wishes him best of luck for his novel mission.

"On prior expeditions also we have helped Jogabyasa and this time it is our prime responsibility to help as he is going to climb Mt Everest. We hope he will successfully accomplish his expedition and come back safely," Kumar expressed.

In a mixed tone of joy and emotion, Jogabyasa said, "This is the most important task of my life. I am thankful to my god and also to my parents. I am also thankful to Vedanta for helping me. Vedanta has always been with me and also helped me for my previous expeditions."

Jogabyasa has many feats of mountaineering in his kitty. Recently he climbed Mt. Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in South Africa and Stock Kangri (6137m) in Ladakh. The temperament of this local lad from Kalahandi shows that he has bigger dreams to achieve.

Source: www.orissadiary.com

Health Camp at Lanjigarh elicits huge response

Lanjigarh: Hundreds of patients attended a day-long free Health Camp organized by Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL), Lanjigarh at Basantpada area of Lanjigarh Block in Kalahandi district of Orissa on the occasion of World Health Day 2011.

VAL conducted the camp with a vision to make a healthy society while the main objective of the camp was to cater to the community at large. Patients who attended the health camp were provided medicines free of cost.

Dr. Mukesh Kumar, President & COO, VAL, inaugurated the health camp and said, “To make a healthy society around Lanjigarh is VAL’s prime objective; that is why we organize Health camps regularly. Vedanta Hospital also commits to the same purpose and this health camp specially aims to cater to the poor families in the nearby areas.”

Along with Dr. A. K. Sahu of Vedanta Hospital other specialized doctors were present on the occasion to treat the patients. Doctors present on the camp were Dr. Narsingha Charana Das – TB & Chest Specialist, Berhampur, Dr. Manoranjan Rout – Pediatric, Muniguda, Dr. N. Patro – Dentist, Rayagada, Dr. Nagendra Rai Samant – MO, Lanjigarh, Dr. Malaya Tripathy –MO I/C, Biswanathapur, Dr. S. K. Mishra – Orthopedic.

People from villages like Basant Pada, Bandhaguda, Dengsargi, Kapaguda, Belamba, Sindhbahal, Kansari, Rengopali, Kendubati, Jagannathpur, Bundel etc. attended the health camp.

Through medical outreach program Vedanta Aluminium has been providing health services to people in remote tribal areas who are deprived of healthcare service. Through mobile medical units and outreach camps the company is reaching the unreached and providing health services at door step of tribal people, informed Dr. Sabita Tripathy, Chief Medical Officer of Vedanta hospital.