BALCO Promotes Inclusivity on International Day of People with Disabilities
6th December 2023
Balconagar; 6th December 2023: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminum producer and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, organized a series of impactful initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity and empowering differently-abled children. The company arranged a host of sessions, including training on menstrual health management and cloth stitching, for differently-abled children. Additionally, the company provided a platform for its employee volunteers to encourage and engage these children with inspiring stories and hand paintings.
Understanding that adolescents with disabilities often confront the dual stigma surrounding menstruation and disabilities, BALCO unveiled a specially designed learning module on menstrual health management. This module was introduced under BALCO’s flagship project Nayi Kiran, which aims to demystify menstrual myths and taboos, and develop sustainable hygiene practices during menstruation through awareness and capacity building. Directed to meet the unique needs of differently-abled children, this module thoughtfully equipped tailored teaching materials and methods specifically designed to educate differently-abled adolescents on menstrual health management.
In addition, BALCO also conducted an exclusive capacity-building program called ‘Stitch My Own Pad.’ Addressing the challenges associated with menstrual health management, particularly due to period poverty, this training empowered differently-abled adolescent girls to stitch their own reusable cloth pads, offering them a sustainable and hygienic solution for their menstrual needs.
In a concerted effort to address the unique needs of visually, speech, and hearing-impaired children, this event also aimed at encouraging these individuals facing sensory challenges to believe in their abilities. The company, through employee volunteerism, offered an interactive session with its employees that instilled hope and motivation in these differently-abled children. Several employees engaged in the event through activities such as inspirational storytelling and hand painting, bringing smiles to these children.
The event saw participation from over 120 differently-abled children from Divya Jyoti School, a government institution for differently-abled children in Korba, Chhattisgarh.
Underscoring the importance of this initiative, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director of BALCO, said, “BALCO believes in the power of inclusivity and its positive impact on the holistic growth and development of society. At BALCO, we are committed to fostering an environment that gives equal opportunities to everyone. On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are proud to contribute to building an inclusive society with our initiatives that aim to not only provide education and support but also foster a sense of empowerment among the differently-abled. Through these programs, we hope to break down barriers and create a more equitable future for all.”
Mr. Akash Kaushik, a differently-abled employee from BALCO who volunteered during this event, said, “Volunteering for this initiative has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to share with these children my personal journey of excelling in both my personal life and career, illustrating that our disabilities are not limitations but are distinct abilities. Together with BALCO, we painted a narrative of inclusion, breaking stereotypes, and proving that each of us, with our distinct abilities, contributes to a more diverse and resilient world.”
BALCO diligently organizes sensitization workshops and training, fostering a workplace culture that thrives on understanding and respect. The company practices an inclusive hiring approach, ensuring a merit-based selection process and actively seeking talent from diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and identities, strengthening its commitment towards diversity and inclusion. Notably, the company has employed 5 differently-abled employees and 18 transgender employees into its ranks to date.
About BALCO:
Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) is a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, operating a 0.57 million tonne per annum aluminium smelter in Korba, Chhattisgarh. It is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium, i.e., 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow. For more information, please log on to www.balcoindia.com
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Disclaimer:
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” – that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “should” or “will.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets including the London Metal Exchange, fluctuations in interest and or exchange rates and metal prices; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.
About Vedanta Limited:
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil
& Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver,
Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa, Namibia, and
Australia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building.
Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong
focus on health, safety, and environment. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is
focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Under the aegis of Vedanta Cares, the
flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars have been set up as model anganwadis focused on
eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with
skill development. Vedanta and its group companies have been featured in Dow Jones
Sustainability Index 2020, and were conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020,
CII Environmental Best Practices Award 2020, CSR Health Impact Award 2020, CII National
Award 2020 for Excellence in Water Management, CII Digital Transformation Award 2020, ICSI
National Award 2020 for excellence in Corporate Governance, People First HR Excellence Award
2020, ‘Company with Great Managers 2020’ by People Business and certified as a Great Place
to Work 2021. Vedanta’s flagship Nand Ghar Project was identified as best CSR project by the
Government of Rajasthan. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the
National Stock Exchange in India and has ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com
