Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral
Panaji, January 2026: On the twin occasions of National Girl Child Day and the International Day of Education, Vedanta Sesa Goa reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive growth through education, skills and empowerment initiatives aimed at building resilient communities and enabling nation building.
The company’s flagship CSR programme, Project Vriddhi, continues to be a cornerstone of its social impact initiatives, with a strong focus on promoting education in remote and underserved regions, particularly for the girl child. Through the Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarship, over 1,300 meritorious students have been supported since 2018 to pursue education from Class 10 through professional courses, with girls accounting for nearly 50 per cent of beneficiaries.
Several beneficiaries have witnessed life-changing outcomes through the programme. Leela Parab from Mulgao, Goa, was able to continue her B.Pharma degree despite personal loss, while Riya Dattaram Naik from Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, pursued her passion for fashion design. Lanchana M, a resident of remote Chitradurga, successfully followed her dream of studying computer engineering with the support of the Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarship.
Speaking on the occasion, Navin Jaju, CEO of Vedanta Sesa Goa, said the company remains committed to empowering the future through inclusive education and opportunity. He said initiatives such as Project Vriddhi, Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarships, the Sesa Technical School and the Sesa Football Academy reflect the organisation’s belief in investing meaningfully in communities to build a prosperous and inclusive future.
Vedanta Sesa Goa’s education-to-employment initiatives have also played a significant role in shaping livelihoods. The Sesa Technical School (STS), established in Sanquelim, Goa, in 1994, has trained over 2,000 youth in various technical trades, maintaining a near-100 per cent placement record. Girls are increasingly encouraged to enrol in technical courses at the institute, supported through scholarships. Alumni such as Chetan Salelkar, who went on to establish his own enterprise after graduating from the fitter trade, stand testimony to the programme’s long-term impact.
Digital inclusion forms another key pillar of Vedanta’s social interventions. Under the aegis of the Vedanta Foundation, seven computer centres and 19 school-based digital labs across Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka have empowered thousands by bridging the digital divide, including learners with visual impairments. Nearly 65 per cent of beneficiaries of these initiatives are girls and women.
Infrastructure support has further strengthened access to education. The Back-to-School initiative in Karnataka supports over 3,000 children annually by providing essential school kits, while more than 120 Anganwadis have been upgraded under the Nand Ghar initiative with smart kits, solar power and digital tools. Dedicated transport facilities in Karnataka and Odisha ensure safe access to education for children from remote locations.
Extending its commitment beyond academics, Vedanta Sesa Goa has also invested in sports development through the Sesa Football Academy. The academy has empowered girls from rural areas with structured training and competitive exposure, with its senior women’s team qualifying for the Indian Women’s League 2026. Players such as Aaroshi Govekar and Pearl Fernandes, who have earned national call-ups, exemplify how opportunity and mentorship can transform potential into achievement.
Together, these initiatives underline Vedanta Sesa Goa’s long-term vision of empowering girls and youth not merely as beneficiaries, but as agents of change. By strengthening access to education, skills, infrastructure and opportunity, the company continues to support the creation of confident individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to an inclusive and sustainable future.
