Vedanta Sesa Goa : Nurturing the ‘Future of the Nation’

Goa Khabar : Vedanta Sesa Goa, through its community-driven initiatives, is committed to nurturing the future of the children – the future of the Nation. The Company has been actively addressing critical areas like nutrition, education, sports development and affordable digital access. Believing that children are the true stakeholders of the future, Vedanta Sesa Goa supports their holistic development through initiatives such as Nand Ghar, ‘Back to School’, Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarships, Computer Labs & Centres, Sesa Football Academy & #RunForZeroHunger among others.

 program, which aims to tackle challenges such as stunted growth and malnutrition among children, ensuring they receive the proper nutrition and care needed for a healthier tomorrow.

Prioritising nutrition for children and the well-being of the young mothers, Vedanta Sesa Goa , under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, provides logistical and infrastructural support to Nand Ghars across Goa & Karnataka. With over 6000 ‘aanganwadis’ covered under the Nand Ghar Movement set up across the country, it is the flagship project of Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) and has been working towards ensuring that no child goes to bed hungry. The ‘aanganwadis’ are also supported with infrastructural support to upgrade educational and other basic facilities. Further focussing on striking back at hunger among children, the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, under the banner of #RunForZeroHunger, contributed over 10 million meals for underprivileged children. 

Clubbing its educational initiatives under Project ‘Vriddhi’, Vedanta Sesa Goa identifies the need to nurture futures through timely and meaningful support for education with the aim of aiding the Government’s effort to limit the dropout rate. The Company through its ‘Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarships’ has extended support to meritorious students from economically weaker sections (EWS) & has helped transform the future of ~ 800 students across states. Also, under the ‘Back to School’ it furthers the aim by providing ‘welcome school kits’ wherein >3000 students have benefitted in the current academic session. Under this initiative, the Company also undertakes infrastructure upgrades at schools by constructing hygiene & sanitation blocks. 

Furthermore, the Company has been focussing on providing access to affordable IT education through its Vedanta Computer Labs & Centres, established under the aegis of the AAF. Initiatives such as the Vedanta e-Siksha, which was run in collaboration with the Govt. of Goa upto 2018, and those being run presently, the IT initiatives have so far helped transform over 80000 students in more than 350 schools across states. Vedanta Sesa Goa, under the aegis of the AAF is currently operating 10 computer centres and 14 computer labs across states.

Vedanta Sesa Goa’s CEO, Navin Jaju, stated, ” We, at Vedanta Sesa Goa, recognise the societal necessity of supporting the well-being of children and the role it plays in nurturing the future of our Nation. Our initiatives are holistic in nature and cover a wide range of issues related to children including from nutrition to education to digital access to sports. Through Project Vriddhi’ we have successfully supported children & students through their educational journey, with our Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarships making a transformational impact and numerous Vedanta computer labs & centres are successfully providing them access to affordable digital education . ‘Nand Ghars’ are a unique concept which looks at nutritional needs of children and fosters their general well-being. Identifying sports as a medium of excellence, through Sesa Football Academy we have been successful in nurturing the future of many a talented child & its residential programme has contributed immensely to Goan and National football. We believe in, and our committed to #TransformingCommunities by creating strong foundations for children, the future leaders of our society.”

Vedanta Sesa Goa’s flagship CSR initiative, Sesa Football Academy, in the past 25 years developed a resilient and impactful grassroots residential football coaching program, which supports youth from rural areas. ~200 children have successfully passed through its portals to carve a niche in Goan and National football, with 11 players having represented India. In addition, the SFA also runs ‘Girls’ Football Centres’ in Goa in an effort to replicate its success with the boys. The Academy has further extended its expertise to schools by setting up ‘Grassroots Training Centres’ in Goa, which aim to promote football among the children and to revive the popularity of the sport.

Ms Leena Verenkar, Head CSR, Sesa Goa, said “Children are the future and it is important to focus on their holistic well-being. At Vedanta Sesa Goa we have tailored our CSR initiatives such that this important segment of the society gains and benefits from our expertise in making a lasting impact. The Nand Ghar initiative along with the focus on education through Project ‘Vriddhi’, as also the wide network of computer centres and labs has helped transform the future of the children in the communities we operate in. SFA has been instrumental in taking forward our intent and has persevered to help reclaim the lost glory of Indian football while also providing children with a pathway to future success.”

Vedanta Sesa Goa has endeavoured to bring about long-term and enduring transformation through its CSR initiatives and its focussed initiatives for children are making a meaningful impact in fields as diverse as nutrition, education and sports.