Empowerment of women goes far beyond individual progress—it lays the foundation for transforming entire communities. In India, where women’s participation in the economy holds immense potential for growth, deep-rooted socio-economic barriers often limit that progress. However, in the remote Kalahandi district of Odisha, Vedanta Aluminium—India’s largest aluminium producer—is working to break these barriers through its flagship women empowerment programme, Project Sakhi.
Launched in 2015, Project Sakhi has been a catalyst for quiet yet powerful change. To date, over 4,600 women have been brought together through 444 self-help groups (SHGs), collectively mobilising more than ₹5 crore in financial resources. These funds have helped women establish and grow small enterprises—from being economically dependent to becoming entrepreneurs and community leaders. What began as a support initiative has now evolved into a grassroots movement, empowering women to become the CEOs of their own lives.
Building Livelihoods, Shaping Leaders
The core philosophy of Project Sakhi is simple yet impactful: empower women with the skills, knowledge, and resources to earn independently. The programme integrates financial literacy, credit access, vocational training, and leadership development. It promotes both farm and non-farm income-generating activities such as mushroom cultivation, goat rearing, running grocery shops, food processing, and even services like printing units. By marrying skill-building with financial inclusion, the initiative ensures these businesses are not only launched but also sustained over time.
The results are telling. In the past year alone, SHGs in the region secured nearly ₹3.84 crore in funding from banks and financial institutions, benefiting more than a thousand women. To date, over 1,880 women have launched more than 1,300 micro-enterprises, generating steady income streams and stimulating the local economy with new jobs, markets, and opportunities.
Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya, CEO of Vedanta’s Alumina Business, highlighted the deeper value of the initiative, stating, “The success of this project isn’t just about the numbers; it reflects the transformational power of a focused, grassroots approach. We’re witnessing a new era of self-reliance where women are the architects of their own futures.”
A Case in Point: Balabhadrapur Village
In Balabhadrapur village, the women of Maa Shivani SHG embody the spirit of Project Sakhi. After undergoing training in poultry management, the group established a poultry unit that has already generated over ₹1.27 lakh in revenue. Beyond increasing household incomes, this venture has enhanced the women’s standing in their families and communities. Once sidelined in decision-making, these women are now recognised as contributors and role models, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
Strengthening Social Security
In addition to economic empowerment, Project Sakhi also focuses on social protection. More than 3,000 women have been linked to essential government welfare schemes, including life and accident insurance, child savings plans, and labour welfare benefits. These safety nets are crucial in ensuring that the gains women make are resilient and long-lasting.
As the country observes the festive season—symbolising the triumph of good over evil—Project Sakhi celebrates a quieter, yet equally profound victory: the triumph of opportunity over adversity, and independence over dependence. In Kalahandi, women once known for their hardships are now celebrated for their resilience, entrepreneurship, and leadership—rewriting the narrative of their communities, one success story at a time.
