Subhalaxmi Cooperative is among Odisha’s largest self-help groups for rural women
Jharsuguda, Odisha; 26th September 2025: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, announced the felicitation of 48 meritorious students by Subhalaxmi Cooperative, one of Odisha’s largest women-led cooperatives and self-help groups that is extensively supported by the company. The recognition was part of an annual event to honour academic brilliance and encourage students to aspire for greater scholastic excellence in the region.
Academic awards were presented to students who secured scores ranging from 70 percent to an impressive 96.5 percent under the Mahila Kalyan Panthi Fund, a unique community initiative created and managed entirely by the women of Subhalaxmi Cooperative. This fund not only extends financial assistance to families in need but also celebrates academic milestones of students, showcasing how empowered women are actively shaping a brighter future for the next generation.
The award distribution ceremony was presided over by dignitaries including Dr. Radhakanta Gartia, District Education Officer of Jharsuguda; Aditya Parida, Bank Manager, IDBI Bank; and senior members of Subhalaxmi Cooperative. They spoke about how education can help the youth in building a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
C. Chandru, CEO – Vedanta Jharsuguda, said, “Education plays a vital role in shaping individuals and communities, and we are proud to support initiatives that make learning more meaningful. Through Subhalaxmi Cooperative, we see empowered women entrepreneurs creating opportunities not just for themselves, but also for the next generation. This felicitation ceremony is a powerful example of how community-led efforts can uplift entire ecosystems and drive long-term positive change.”
Pankajini Oram, President – Subhalaxmi Cooperative added, “We are proud of each child who was honoured today. As women who have worked hard to build better lives for our families, we understand the value of education. The Mahila Kalyan Panthi Fund is our way of encouraging children to dream big and letting them know that we are here to support them.”
Founded and nurtured under Vedanta Aluminium’s community development initiatives, the Subhalaxmi Cooperative has grown into a formidable force for socio-economic empowerment, impacting more than 5,000 women in rural Odisha through entrepreneurship development, skill-building, and financial inclusion. Beyond economic progress, the cooperative is actively creating avenues for educational advancement, particularly within underserved communities.
Vedanta Aluminium’s social interventions in the domains of education, healthcare, livelihood, skill development, grassroots sports, art & culture, with a focus on women and child development, reach out to nearly 70 villages in and around Jharsuguda, benefiting over 3.5 lakh people each year. Through such initiatives, the company continues to foster grassroots development, driving positive change in the lives of local communities while nurturing a sustainable future.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, 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.
