Tag: Project Vriddhi

EduConnect

Through Education and Inclusion, Vedanta Sesa Goa Reaffirms Commitment to Nation Building

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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.

EduConnect

Powering Futures: Vedanta Honours Bicholim Scholars at ‘Utkarsh’ Event

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Reaffirming its commitment to education and youth empowerment, Vedanta Sesa Goa – Iron Ore Goa (IOG), under Project ‘Vriddhi’, organised the Vedanta ‘Utkarsh’ Scholarship Programme for the financial year 2025–26 at Bicholim. The initiative aims to support meritorious students from mining-affected and rural communities in pursuing higher education and building sustainable futures.

The programme, held at the Bicholim Municipality Hall, saw nearly 30 students from villages across Bicholim Taluka being felicitated and extended financial support through the Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarship. The event was graced by Ms. Shridevi B. V., IPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bicholim, along with Mr. Vijay Natekar, Chairperson of the Bicholim Municipal Council, Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO – Iron Ore Goa, and Mr. Santosh Mandrekar, Head Operations – North and Central Cluster.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Shridevi B. V., IPS, highlighted the transformative role of education, stating that when organisations invest in education, they contribute directly to nation-building. She noted that the Vedanta ‘Utkarsh’ Scholarship is a meaningful intervention that empowers students to rise above limitations and pursue their aspirations with confidence and discipline.

Mr. Vijay Natekar, Chairperson of the Bicholim Municipal Council, emphasised the importance of sustained educational support for community progress. He appreciated Vedanta Sesa Goa’s consistent community development efforts, noting that such initiatives create opportunities for deserving students while strengthening the region’s social fabric.

Reflecting on the programme’s impact, Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO – Iron Ore Goa, said education plays a critical role in transforming lives and communities. Through the Vedanta ‘Utkarsh’ Scholarship, he said, the company seeks to ensure that students from areas surrounding its operations receive the necessary support to pursue higher education, reinforcing Vedanta Sesa Goa’s commitment to meaningful and inclusive growth.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, scholarship recipient Ms. Sadiya Choudhary, a B.Com student at Narayan Zantye College of Commerce, shared that the scholarship had significantly eased her financial burden. She noted that while she had been conducting tuition classes alongside her studies to support her education, the scholarship has allowed her to focus more fully on her academic goals and support her family.

To date, the Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarship has benefited over 1,200 students across Vedanta Sesa Goa’s operational areas. The company’s initiatives under Project ‘Vriddhi’ continue to reflect its long-term commitment to education, youth development and inclusive socio-economic progress within the communities it serves.

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Vedanta Sesa Goa Boosts Women Participation in ITI through Scholarships

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Vedanta Sesa Goa-Value Added Business (VAB), continues to drive meaningful change by promoting education and empowering women both in the workplace and society.

Recognizing the need to support women to pursue skilling in technical fields, VAB has provided scholarships to 11 girls to pursue ITI courses in Diesel Mechanic, Electrical, Instrument Mechanic, and Machinist at Sesa Technical School (STS). The initiative is part of Vedanta Sesa Goa’s Project ‘Vriddhi’ and is aligned with the aims of the recently launched #IronLadiesIndia’25 campaign, which aims to enable women such that they are able to maximise their potential & contribute to the fullest to the goals of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. This is the third iteration of the #IronLadiesIndia campaign.

The scholarships have been instituted in 2023 and women trainees identified for the scholarship are being provided regular mentoring and guidance so that thy can fully benefit from the course curriculum. As part of their orientation process, they also interacted with Mr. Saptesh Sardesai, CEO, VAB, and Ms Leena Verenkar, Head CSR, Sesa Goa and were provided valuable insights which will help the trainees be better prepared and industry-ready. The trainees also interacted with several other Vedanta executives and benefited from a free-flowing exchange of ideas.

Speaking on the occasion, Saptesh Sardesai, CEO- VAB said “At VAB, we believe that education and skill development are key drivers of empowerment, especially for young women aspiring to build careers in technical fields. Through our scholarship programs, we are creating opportunities for these talented individuals to break barriers and thrive in industries traditionally dominated by men. It is inspiring to see their determination, and we remain committed to fostering an inclusive and skilled workforce for the future.”

Many of these young women are the first in their families to receive formal technical education, making their achievements a testament to resilience and progress. They expressed gratitude for the initiative, which is not just supporting their academic journey but also empowering them with the skills and confidence to build independent, successful careers in industries.The STS reconfigured its curriculum to include courses for women in 2023 and the first batch of women trainees passed out in 2024, with a 100% pass result.

Ms. Afsana Patvi, Scholarship awardee for pursing Machinist course said “It was a wonderful experience to sit and have an interaction with the senior management where great insightful discussions took place. It is very inspiring to see the journey they have covered, and we are motivated enough to aim for the best ahead. I sincerely thank Vedanta for supporting us in making a strong career for ourselves that will make us empowered and independent women.”

Sesa Technical School (STS), a flagship project of Sesa Goa, has been a cornerstone of skill development, equipping students with industry-relevant expertise for over Three decades. With a legacy of educating 2000+ students,and a 100% placement record, the STS continues to break barriers and inspire more women to pursue careers in mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation trades.

By equipping them with industry-relevant skills, Vedanta Sesa Goa impactfully pursuing its objectives related to fostering equal opportunities & capacity building & helping confront long-standing stereotypes. This initiative ensures that it will effectively bridge the gap between opportunity & aspirations.