Tikiri/Kalinga Voice: Project “UDYAMEE” a unique and innovative project of Utkal Alumina International Limited, a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited of Aditya Birla Group has been awarded along with its five promoted women entrepreneurs in the 2nd National Conclave on Financing Women Entrepreneurs organized by Odisha Corporate Foundation on 12TH June 2022 at Bhubaneswar. To promote 300 youth entrepreneurs from Kashipur Block of Rayagada and Thuamul Rampur Block of Kalahandi in non-farm and agri-allied sector Utkal Alumina has partnered with EDII (Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India) and launched project UDYAMEE at Tikiri, Kashipur, Rayagada. The award was conferred for the unique corporate project which is focused to promote women entrepreneurship.
Shri Tusharkanti Behera, Hon’ble Minister of Electronics & Information Technology, Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha has inaugurated the programme and highlighted the role of corporates in strengthening women entrepreneurship ecosystem. Post-Inaugural session Hon’ble Minister has personally interacted with the team members of UDYAMEE, the winner entrepreneurs and Dr. Lopamudra Priyadarshini, Head CSR, CR & Sustainability, Utkal Alumina to understand the Project UDYAMEE it’s Model and its impact at community level. Shri Behera highly appreciated the unique intervention initiated under the corporate / CSR project under Utkal Alumina at Tikiri.
Shri Hemant Sharma, IAS, Principal Secretary Industry Department Government of Odisha has specially mentioned the partnership model of intervention of Utkal Alumina and Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India for strengthening Entrepreneurship ecosystem in Odisha. Mr. Sharma has cited the best practices of systematic and convergence approach of Project UDYAMEE to promote entrepreneurs in rural and tribal areas. Mr Shama also resounded on scalability of Project UDYMAEE model across Odisha. Shri Sharma personally interacted with the Project UDYAMEE team and entrepreneurs, and highly motivated the team for the effort made in the tribal and remote areas for the local area’s economic development.
Five successful women entrepreneurs (1) Jashoda Jhodia (Sleeper Making Unit), Tikiri (2) Pramila Naik (Tailoring Services), Dangasil (3) Sanjukta Khora (Phenyl Making Unit), Tikiri (4) Sarojini Majhi (Puffed rice unit), Chandragiri (5) Aparajita Naik (Refreshment shop), Adri, Kalahandi have received the awards from the Chief Guest of the occasion.
The deliberation of Head CSR, Utkal Alumina on project objective, approach, and model in pursuance of creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem in this region was highly regarded and appreciated by the forum. Women Entrepreneurs from project UDYAMEE also shared their entrepreneurial journey and expressed their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the OCF and government of Odisha for the recognition with awards.
Quoting on Project UDYAMEE, the Unit Head of Utkal Alumina Mr. Mazhar Beig has expressed his intent that UDYAMEE should act as gleaming beacon of light in the Entrepreneurship Development and should set a benchmark for others to follow.
Dr. Subrata Kumar Biswal, Regional Head, EDII of India and Mr. Kusala Chandra Behera, Project Leader, Project UDYAMEE were among the dignitaries joined the occasion along with the team.
Report : Baikuntha Duria
