COMMUNITY
I BELIEVE IN 'TRUSTEESHIP'. THE ULTIMATE AIM OF VEDANTA IS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE AND ERADICATE POVERTY
ANIL AGARWAL
CHAIRMAN, VEDANTA RESOURCES
Corporates and communities thrive through cooperation and collaboration. It is a symbiotic relationship where the sustainability of one is inextricably linked to the prosperity and well-being of the other. We continue to nourish and nurture this relationship, through focused, timely and impactful investments in community development, fulfilling our responsibilities as a good corporate citizen and being a caring neighbour. Going beyond the traditional roles of business like paying the exchequer, generating employment and complying with the law of the land, we spearhead interventions in domains that have a positive ripple effect and are the building blocks of a fair, equitable and just society.
Our community interventions primarily fall under the following areas:
AREAS OF COMMUNITY INTERVENTION
Children's Well-being & Education
Community Infrastructure
Women's Empowerment
Sports & Culture
Health Care
Environment Protection & Restoration
Drinking Water & Sanitation
Skilling the Youth for new opportunities
Agriculture & Animal Husbandry
WE STRONGLY ADVOCATE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THAT IS UNDERPINNED BY COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS. A MAJORITY OF OUR INITIATIVES ARE IDENTIFIED, DEVELOPED AND CARRIED OUT IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS. THIS 'PUBLIC-PRIVATE-PEOPLE-PARTNERSHIP' (4PS) MODEL HAS INSPIRED US TO TAKE UP AMBITIOUS LONG-TERM PROJECTS LIKE PROJECT NAND GHAR.
Our community engagement journey is steered by our Group-level CSR policy and Social Investment Standard, and the roadmap is charted through
(A) baseline studies and need assessment surveys within our communities
(B) consultation with stakeholders and subject matter experts, and
(C) continual improvement in programmes based on findings of impact assessment and social audits.
OUTREACH
SOCIAL INVESTMENT
USD
17.63
million
Over 68,500 school children were served fresh, nutritious and delicious meals every day
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
3,200+
Self Help Groups
empowering almost
39,000
women
Our materiality issues are being aligned to Sustainable Development Goals and action plans are being outlined.
BENEFICIARY COUNT*
FY 2016-17
2.21 million
FY 2015-16
2.25 million
FY 2014-15
4 million
*Some of the beneficiaries could be engaged in more than one project.
Based on the comprehensive need-based assessment conducted in FY 2014-15, and the social impact assessment studies that our businesses undertake at regular intervals, we have enhanced our focus on activities that have greater positive impact on the communities around us.
For more information about our need-based assessment study, please refer to the Neighbourhood Dialogue section on page 53.
THRUST AREAS
Our commitment towards 'Social License to Operate' goes beyond regulatory compliance and we are committed to sustainable development, inclusive growth and greater value creation for all our internal and external stakeholders.
Our community development programmes are designed to provide quality education, health services and livelihood opportunities in the neighbourhood communities of where we operate.
PROJECT NAND GHAR
This is our flagship intervention in the space of children's learning and health. In FY 2015-16, Vedanta signed an MoU with the Ministry of Women & Child Development to construct 4,000 new-age Nand Ghars (Anganwadis) across India. Over and above quality preschool education, we have envisioned these Nand Ghars as a convergence point for a number of government programmes with additional services such as primary healthcare and entrepreneurship training.
Preschool Interventions
The importance of quality preschool education cannot be understated. It sets the stage for a lifetime of learning. In remote and rural areas, quite often, this stage is hampered by malnutrition in the child. Through our preschool programmes, we are working towards improving this situation.

CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING & EDUCATION

Children are at the core of communities and society – their education, health and well-being determine the future of nations. Keeping this in mind, children's well-being and education have always been at the forefront of our CSR initiatives. Ensuring the right to quality education for every child is an ambitious dream that can only be achieved through collaborative efforts across all quarters.
WE IMPACTED THE LIVES OF ALMOST 260,000 CHILDREN THROUGH OUR PROGRAMMES, AS WELL AS THROUGH GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS ACROSS LOCATIONS. WE SUPPORT MORE THAN 100,000 CHILDREN BELOW 6 YEARS ACROSS 1,900 ANGANWADIS THROUGH OUR PRESCHOOL INITIATIVES. OUR PROGRAMMES ARE ALIGNED WITH THE GOVERNMENT-LED LITERACY & EDUCATION PROGRAMMES IN THE COUNTRIES WE OPERATE IN.
Our comprehensive approach to education covers every stage from preschool to higher education.
School Education
The problems confronting higher education in India are chiefly to do with quality of learning, access and infrastructure. This section provides a glimpse of the Group-wide initiatives we are undertaking in schools.
We run about 20 schools and colleges, most of them close to our operations. Over 11,250 students are studying in these schools . Given that most of these schools are in remote parts of the country, they are contributing to bringing quality education within reach of all.
Other than running these schools and colleges, we also collaborate with existing government schools, in strengthening learning, improving infrastructure, and provisioning of mid-day meals. Over 250,000 students in government schools are reached through these initiatives.
MID-DAY MEALS
We realise the importance of proper nutrition for school-going children and contributing by providing mid-day meals in government schools every day. Over 68,500 school children were served fresh, nutritious and delicious meals every day through the three centralised kitchens supported by us. Proper government-approved diet charts are followed to prepare weekly menus to suit the tastes and nutritional requirement of children.
PROMOTING DIGITAL EDUCATION
With the objective of promoting digital education and literacy in the rural areas, Vedanta Foundation & Vedanta Limited, in collaboration with the Directorate of Education, Government of Goa and Government of Karnataka, have launched Smart Class & Science Lab pilot project for the students. The aim is to get these students oriented to smart technology in a friendly manner.
SMART CLASS
13 schools in Goa and 7 schools in Chitradurga district of Karnataka
Under the project, Vedanta is enabling innovative learning through K-Yan, a portable device which converts any wall into an interactive teaching surface. This allows students to experience interactive multimedia content, virtual experiments, curriculum-based educational videos, and facilitates training for teachers.
SCIENCE LAB
30 schools in Goa
The Science Lab incorporates a package of 55 different science interactive working models mapped to the state educational curriculum, providing a forum for children to pursue their natural curiosity and inventiveness. Further, this technology simplifies the learning process by providing vital hands-on experiences to students.
EDUCATING THE GIRL CHILD
We acknowledge that education is the single most important factor to ensure gender equality and empowerment. Our businesses have introduced a number of short as well as long-term programmes to ensure education of the girl child. The programmes are aligned with the Indian Prime Minister's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Abhiyan' (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child Programme).
Sterlite Copper's 'Ilam Mottukal' aims to ensure that girls are provided with quality school education in an enabling environment so that they can realise their fullest potential.
This project is impacting 8,046 girls across 86 schools in Thootukudi district of Tamil Nadu.
THE PROJECT, IN ITS FIFTH YEAR NOW, HAS RESULTED IN 80% IMPROVEMENT IN THE LEARNING LEVELS OF GIRL CHILDREN AND 95% PASS PERCENTAGE IN THE CLASS 10 EXAMS.
Vedanta Vidyarthi Vikas Yojana (VVVY) at Jharsuguda has significantly improved the pass percentage of girls from 18% in 2008 to 99.80% in 2016.
TILL DATE 3,031 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE AVAILED ACADEMIC SUPPORT THROUGH VVVY CENTRES AT RURAL VILLAGES OF JHARSUGUDA.
The project, in collaboration with NGO partner AJKA, is spearheaded with active involvement of the parents, village watch committees and trained teachers.
SHIKSHA SAMBAL PROGRAMME - HIGHER EDUCATION INITIATIVE OF HZL
We see a large number of young people in government schools struggle to clear their class X exams. The most difficult, and yet most important subjects for them are English, Science and Mathematics. The Shiksha Sambal porject aims to strengthen the learning of these subjects in Government Senior Secondary schools.
This year, the programme has been implemented in classes 9-12, of 57 government schools impacting the lives of 6,194 children.
AS PART OF THE PROGRAMME, ADDITIONAL TEACHERS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED, LABS & LIBRARIES STRENGTHENED, NEW PEDAGOGIES & BOOKS PROVIDED, AND PERIODIC LEARNING CAMPS WERE ORGANISED. THE PROGRAMME IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VIDYA BHAWAN SOCIETY.
CASE STUDY
TAKING NAND GHARS TO THE NEXT LEVEL
PROJECT NAND GHAR IS DESIGNED IN LINE WITH PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA'S VISION OF ERADICATING MALNUTRITION, PROVIDING EDUCATION AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT.
A detailed baseline study has been initiated at Barmer to understand in greater detail the advantage brought by a Nand Ghar to the community vis-à-vis an Anganwadi. The progress and impact of Project Nand Ghar, going forward, will be monitored through a mobile application which will be one of the largest deployments of real-time data collection software, enabled through mobile devices and tracking an estimated 120,000 children and 20,000 women start-ups spread across 11 states in India.
QUALITY EDUCATION
We have developed a 40-week intensive course curriculum incorporating interactive e-learning, learning kits, critical thinking and wall designs for preschool education at our Nand Ghars. This is the first time such a massive effort has been undertaken in India.
HEALTHCARE
Each cluster of 25-30 Anganwadis will have access to a fully functional Mobile Medical Unit (MMU).
MMU's provide essential primary healthcare services. During the reporting period, two such MMUs were operationalised.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Modelled on the lines of Nobel Peace Prize-winning microfinance organisation Grameen Bank, women are provided end-to-end support for promoting entrepreneurship at each Nand Ghar through the following steps:
Mobilisation of women for training
Mobilising credit without seeking collaterals
Handholding in identification of local business opportunities, creating a business plan
Providing basic orientation on entrepreneurship, including identification of business opportunities & basics of marketing
Handholding the women through the ventures and providing marketing support
More than 1,600 women benefited from these training programmes in this year and 158 women have started their micro enterprise
The following aspects of the project will be tracked in near real time basis:
Attendance of children
Improvement in learning outcomes
Training for women
Income enhancement for women
Use of facility for health and immunisation
What started out as a pilot project in FY 2015-16, is now being scaled up on a large scale.
STATE
DISTRICT
COMPLETED
GREENFIELD
BROWNFIELD
Rajasthan
Barmer
Udaipur
Ajmer
50
-
-
2
2
Uttar Pradesh
Pilibhit
Varanasi
15
25
-
-
Madhya Pradesh
Ratlam
5
-
Goa
North Goa
South Goa
1
1
-
-
TOTAL
97
4
There was a target of 100 Nand Ghars in greenfield out of which 97 were achieved. For brownfield, there were 4 pilot projects.

HEALTH

Our development programmes are devised to serve specific needs of the community. During the comprehensive business-wide need based assessment conducted two years ago, it was observed that access to medical and sanitation facility, and awareness of personal hygiene were the two glaring lacunae in rural India. In addition to providing support to local governments for ensuring access to Health & Sanitation facilities in remote locations, in FY 2015-16, we proactively extended WBCSD's WASH pledge from just our operational locations to encompass surrounding communities.
Drinking Water & Sanitation
Improving water and sanitation infrastructure for the nearby communities is one of the Company's focus areas.
217,000 villagers
benefited through access to safe water and sanitation initiatives.
Cairn is providing safe drinking water for the rural population in operational vicinity by setting up water kiosks using RO technology. This also involves implementing one of the largest community drinking water projects of its kind in India, in partnership with PHED, Government of Rajasthan, where around 330 water purification units will be set up to provide safe drinking water to the community.
The operating model will ensure community ownership, usage of renewable energy to run the units, doorstep delivery of water and reject disposal through evaporation pits.
In Lanjigarh, under Project Swachhta,
124 Indian Household Latrines
were constructed in 13 villages in partnership with Health and Sanitation Department.
'WASH' Pledge Implementation at Vedanta
As a signatory to the WBCSD 'WASH' (Water & Sanitation Hygiene) pledge, Vedanta strives to provide access to safe drinking water and promote best hygiene practices among its employees and the community.
In October 2014, Vedanta Group CEO, Tom Albanese, signed the WASH pledge, followed by individual group companies' CEOs signing or endorsing the WASH pledge in support of the group's commitment. Progress on implementation of WASH pledge is monitored by the Group's central sustainability team.
Vedanta commits to implement access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene at the workplace for all employees in all premises.
FOR COMMUNITIES
Various awareness programmes were conducted at the site as well as the nearby villages including in schools. Signs displaying proper handwashing methods and hygiene messages were provided in schools and shop floor areas.
Curative Health Services
Health camps/mobile health units in rural areas not only help in diagnosing and treating diseases at an early stage, they also enhance awareness about the diseases and the means to prevent them. We join hands with the public health system as well as NGOs and hospitals that have a proven record of working in rural areas. While these camps mostly function as Out Patient Departments (OPDs), we refer complicated cases to nearby hospitals and, on a case to case basis, also extend support for treatment.
Eye camps
Cataract and Glaucoma are major causes of blindness in the Northern Cape Area. Black Mountain Mining (BMM) supports the World Health Organization (WHO) and South African Government's 2020 strategy which focuses on improving the health status by preventing illness and disease, and eliminating avoidable blindness.
Between January and March 2017, BMM has helped restore eyesight of 197 people in De Aar, Calvinia, Aggeneys, Upington and Kuruman. In partnership with the Northern Cape Department of Health and the South African National Council for the Blind, BMM ensures that eye surgeons specialising in cataract removal continue to reach these remote communities.
OTHER THAN CAMPS, WE RUN HOSPITALS AT VARIOUS COMPANY LOCATIONS, THAT PROVIDE QUALITY CARE TO NOT JUST THE EMPLOYEES, BUT ARE OFTEN OPEN TO PUBLIC AT LARGE.
During the year, across our businesses, more than
500,000
people
including employees, benefited through these clinics, hospitals, camps and mobile health units.
LAST YEAR, THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGY RECOGNISED THIS LIFE-CHANGING INITIATIVE BY PRESENTING BMM WITH A HEALTH AND WELLNESS AWARD.
Addressing Health through Awareness Programmes
For all of us, when it comes to health, prevention really is better than cure - and especially so for communities living in remote parts. And the first step to prevention is awareness. Our awareness programmes, most often in conjunction with a health camp, cascade this awareness using easy-to-understand local language idioms and medium.
TSPL conducted 23 Health Awareness Sessions in Punjab which were attended by
1,374 people,
across 12 villages.
SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE ALSO PROVIDED WITH DENTAL CARE PRODUCTS UNDER THIS PROGRAMME.
Celebrating Health & Raising Awareness, One Day at a Time
GOOD HEALTH MAKES EVERY DAY WORTH CELEBRATING. DURING THE YEAR, VARIOUS VEDANTA BUSINESSES CELEBRATED AND RAISED AWARENESS IN CONJUNCTION WITH GLOBALLY OBSERVED 'SPECIAL DAYS'.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO MINIMISING INCIDENCE OF MALARIAL DEATHS FROM 40 VILLAGES AROUND PLANT PERIPHERY IN THE LANJIGARH BLOCK.
WORLD MALARIA DAY | APRIL 25
Vedanta Lanjigarh organised an awareness session on malaria along with a blood test camp in Basantpada, catering to a catchment of 12 villages. Over the years, through the Zero Malaria Drive, Vedanta has reached out to 50,000 people including pregnant women,infants and senior citizens.


INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY | JUNE 21
SESA GOA IRON ORE CONDUCTED YOGA SESSIONS FOR ITS EMPLOYEES
SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE ALSO PROVIDED WITH DENTAL CARE PRODUCTS UNDER THIS PROGRAMME.
MALCO ENERGY LIMITED CONDUCTED A YOGA SESSION FOR OVER 750 SCHOOL STUDENTS OF 15 SCHOOLS IN METTUR, TAMIL NADU
CAIRN ENCOURAGED 'DESK YOGA' COMPRISING 'ASANAS' THAT EMPLOYEES CAN PERFORM AT THEIR WORKSTATIONS
WORLD TOILET DAY | NOVEMBER 19
Sterlite Copper dedicated three school sanitation complexes at TNDTA School, Meelavittan, TNDTA Primary School, Periyanagayapuram and R.C Primary School, Vadakkusilukkanpatti schools.
WORLD AIDS DAY | DECEMBER 01
In support of the United Nations' HIV Prevention 2016 campaign to end the epidemic by 2030, Vedanta observed World AIDS Day by creating awareness among employees, contractors and the entire community about the disease.
PINK DRIVE
BMM, South Africa
The Khai-Ma region in Northern Cape, South Africa is a hotbed for various forms of cancer and has inadequate access to primary and secondary health facilities. The Black Mountain Mining partnered with Pink Drive, a non-profit company to create awareness on breast cancer and make a difference in the Khai-Ma Municipality
The mobile clinic remained active through the year and conducted 262 clinical breast exams, 52 mammograms, 152 pap smears and 85 PSA tests.
The clinic also raises awareness on other potentially fatal diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and cancer. During the year, 6 cases of breast cancer were referred to tertiary care hospitals and 2 cases of HIV/AIDS were identified.
CREATING MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
With the objective of improving medical facilities for the community and medical education in the region, Vedanta has partnered with the State Government of Odisha to set up a Government Medical College in Bhangabari at Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi District at an estimated investment of INR100 crore.
Vedanta will provide infrastructural support and the college is scheduled to be completed by 2018. The state-of-the-art hospital, being built as part of the college, will provide easy access to medical treatment for the communities residing in the region.
CASE STUDY
HARNESSING THE SUN TO PROVIDE WATER
ONE OF THE KEY HURDLES IN ENHANCING ACCESS TO WATER, IS AVAILABILITY OF POWER. INTERMITTENT SUPPLY OF POWER IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE PUMPS THAT EXTRACT, PURIFY OR TRANSPORT WATER. HERE IS HOW VARIOUS VEDANTA BUSINESSES HAVE OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE.
THE SEWNIWALA PROJECT CAIRN
Cairn India, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) of Rajasthan is establishing 331 RO plants across Barmer District. These plants, with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 litres per hour are being installed to provide
safe drinking water to more than 1 million people living in 800 villages
Since power availability remains unreliable in some areas of Barmer, we are harnessing its abundant, year-round sunlight to power the RO plants. The first plant based on this pioneering initiative has been installed at Sweniwala in Baytu Tehsil. This is India's largest solar operated community based RO Plant. The plants' MNRE certified panels generate a power of 5KW and store the same in batteries – adequate for 8 to 10 hours of plant operations.
The Sewniwala plant also serves devotees who weather harsh conditions and walk hundreds of kilometres to reach Ram Devra, a local pilgrimage spot in the Jaisalmer area. In order to make the plant self-sustaining in the long run, a nominal amount of INR 0.25 per litre is being charged from the local community.
To maximise use of this renewable source of energy, some of the water purification plants are also being operated with solar energy.
Under this initiative, we plan to set up around
35 solar operated plants
THE CHINGOLA PROJECT - KCM
During the reporting period, KCM installed a solar powered bore-well comprising a water purification system in Shimulala, benefitting 2,000 people. Being solar powered makes the system independent of the electrical grid and thus, more dependable. Looking at the positive response, KCM has decided to scale up the project to 4 additional communities, eventually benefitting 6,000 people in some peri-urban areas of Chingola.

WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT

With over 70,000 employees, Vedanta is not only a natural resources company but also a human resources company.
World over, the Self Help Group (SHG) movement has successfully and systematically empowered marginalised women through awareness raising, capacity building, economic empowerment and solidarity. At Vedanta too, we are working with women's Self Help Groups across several of our locations.
DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT THROUGH SHG SUPPORT FY 2016-17
Total number of SHGs 3,216
Total members in SHGs 38,765
SHGs engaged with livelihood activities 470
SHG members engaged in income generation activities (includes agriculture/animal husbandry/outsource activities) 3,815
No. of women who established micro enterprises (small scale business) 1,464
Here is a snapshot of some select SHG-related activities initiated by our businesses during the reporting period:
At BALCO, under Project Unnati, 187 SHG women were linked with various income generating activities like mushroom cultivation, paper bowl making, snacks making, etc.
TILL DATE 1,144 SHG WOMEN HAVE BEEN COVERED AND 365 WOMEN HAVE BEEN LINKED TO INCOME GENERATION ACTIVITIES.
At HZL, the Sakhi Self Help Group (SHG) programme was re-launched in partnership with Saheli Samiti and Manjari Foundation. The programme is working in a saturation mode, aiming to cover at least 60% households in the chosen villages.
ACCORDINGLY, THIS YEAR 505 SHGS WERE FORMED WITH ABOUT 6,600 WOMEN MEMBERS.
A few production centres have also been set up that are making garments, papad, spices, etc.
The high point of the programme this year was the International Women's Day celebration across all HZL locations, in which over 6,500 women participated.
The celebrations consisted of discussions, songs, theatre, sports – all designed to reinforce women's self-confidence.
At Lanjigarh, under Project Sakhi, during the reporting period, approximately
INR 2.5 MILLION WERE DISBURSED AS INTERNAL LOAN TO VARIOUS MEMBERS, OUT OF THE CUMULATIVE SAVING OF INR 7.3 MILLION.
In addition, the SHGs created credit linkages worth INR 6.9 million resulting in around 620 women being engaged in various income generating activities. Till date, around 2,183 women have been engaged through 196 SHGs across 45 villages.
Sterlite Copper's Sakhi project helped create 112 SHGs comprising 1,464 women members.
CREDIT LINKAGES AMOUNTING TO INR 24.6 MILLION WERE MOBILISED THROUGH NATIONALISED BANKS.
20 new SHGs with 242 members were formed by MALCO Energy Ltd. (MEL). Credit linkage of INR 5 million was facilitated through banks.
CASE STUDY
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT IN WOMEN
Vedanta Ltd. at Jharsuguda, under the aegis of 'Vedanta Integrated Jana Jivika Yojana (VIJJY)', promoted Subhalaxmi Cooperative Society (SCS) - one of the largest all women cooperative society in the region. The project provides capacity building support, business development services (BDS) as well as financial services to its members for augmenting their diversified livelihoods.
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2008-09, SCS HAS FORMED OVER 277 SELF HELP GROUPS CONSISTING OF 3,226 MEMBERS IN 63 PERIPHERAL VILLAGES OF JHARSUGUDA, KOLABIRA AND KIRMIRA BLOCKS. IT HAS ALSO PROMOTED MORE THAN 2,392 MICRO ENTREPRENEURS IN ITS OPERATIONAL VILLAGES.
Here are some of the success stories:
SUSHMITA PATEL
Sushmita Patel, 32, lives in Keldamal village in Kolabiar Block. Her husband used to work as a daily wage labourer with a sponge company. But the wages were both meagre and irregular. To augment the family income, Sushmita took up membership in SCS and took a loan of INR 5,000. With additional credit support from the cooperative, she gradually established herself as a good entrepreneur and started a paper plate unit in her house.
SUSHMITA BOUGHT A MACHINE WITH A CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF INR 16,000 AND STARTED SUPPLYING DIFFERENT KINDS OF PAPER PLATES TO WHOLESALERS.
Her husband now supports the venture by helping in procurement of material and selling the products. The family income has now crossed INR 15,000 per month.
HIRAWATI PURUWA
Whenever Hirawati found time from her household responsibilities, she would help her family cultivate vegetables in the one acre of land they owned. In October 2013, she decided to become financially independent and became part of an SHG at Bhimior village. She took an initial credit of INR 7,000 to start her own chilli and tomato cultivation. SCS, in partnership with Horticulture Department and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, provided her with all the necessary training support to enhance the quality of yield.
TODAY, SHE SELLS CHILLI GROWN BY HER TO A WHOLESALER AT BHUBANESWAR AND EARNS APPROXIMATELY INR 15,000 PER MONTH.

SKILL ENHANCEMENT

Investments in human resource assets are the most impactful and long-lasting investments. Various national governments, mindful of this fact, have started putting great emphasis on education and skilling programmes aimed at making youth more employable. In solidarity with this impetus, Vedanta conducts high impact skilling programmes for youth (in partnership with government as well as non-governmental bodies), leading to enhanced family incomes while also boosting the economy
DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT THROUGH YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
17,091
youths were provided vocational skills training in FY 2016-17
2,750
youth linked to earning opportunities in FY 2016-17
INITIATIVES
VEDANTA SKILL SCHOOL
BALCO, CHHATTISGARH
Since 2010, Vedanta's Skill School at BALCO (Korba, Chhattisgarh), in partnership with International Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), has trained nearly 6,120 youth and linked marginalised sections of society with the mainstream economy. During the reporting year, it trained
947 youth.
TAMIRA MUTHUKKAL
STERLITE COPPER, TAMIL NADU
At Sterlite Copper, the 'Tamira Muthukkal' project mobilises, motivates and trains unemployed, unskilled youth and facilitates suitable employment linkages. Since 2014, in association with IL&FS, 811 youngsters have been trained as electricians, tally cum data entry operators and sewing machine operators.
71% of students trained, have also found employment.
BRIDGING THE SKILL GAP
BMM, SOUTH AFRICA
25 artisan learners
(1 woman and 24 men) from the Khai-Ma and Namakwa districts are being given three-month practical training at the Black Mountain Mines to become electrical and construction engineers, diesel mechanics, boilermakers, fitters and turners. The learners are part of 'Decade of the Artisan', an initiative of South Africa's Department of Higher Education and Training, co-sponsored by the National Skills Fund (NSF) and implemented by the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA).
THE LEATHER PROJECT
KCM, ZAMBIA
KCM signed an MoU with the Copperbelt Leather Industry Cluster to set up a Leather Sector Cottage Cluster and Incubation Project. The project aims to train local community members in producing leather products such as industrial gloves, aprons and shoes which they can then supply to the mining industry. During the year, 23 entrepreneurs from various communities and markets in Chingola were provided with a three-week basic training. Eventually, the project aims to directly benefit 400 households and indirectly impact another
2,400 people
from 20 self-help groups including women, shoe makers, cobblers and youths in particular.
YUVANTARAN MINING ACADEMY
HZL, RAJASTHAN
Underground mining is the future of mining, but there is a dearth of enough skilled manpower in this area. HZL is working to change this and has initiated possibly the largest such initiative, focused on preparing manpower for underground mining. Some of our early pass-outs have even joined international mining companies, on the strength of this training. We are currently running 2 programmes – one is an intense 18-month residential training for Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (with 110 rural youth), and the other is an 8-month residential programme for Winding Engine Drivers (with 47 rural youth). Both programmes are being implemented in partnership with the Skill Council of Mining Sector (SCMS) & Indian Institute of Skill Dveelopment (IISD).
SESA TECHNICAL SCHOOL
SESA IRON ORE, GOA
Since its inception in 1994, the Vedanta-Sesa Technical School (STS) in Sakhali, Goa has trained
1,341 youth
in trade skills like Machinist, Fitter, Electrician and Instrument Mechanic. Both STSs have maintained a 100% result rate in the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) trade examinations and have recorded successful placements every year.
Another unique initiative by the Sesa Iron Ore is the Sesa Football Academy (SFA). Established in June 1999 in Goa, on a rehabilitated mine, SFA has till date produced 123 footballers at the national and international level. Presently 36 boys are under training in the four-year long residential coaching programme that includes formal schooling.
ALL TRADE COURSES ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING, NEW DELHI AND STATE COUNCIL OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING, GOVT. OF GOA.
CASE STUDY
PROVIDING NEW AVENUES THROUGH TRAINING
CAIRN CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Sumit Parihar, a B.Tech from Jodhpur, Rajasthan was unable to utilise his academic qualifications well, by teaching at a private school. His quest for using his technical knowledge made him look for new avenues. When Sumit came to know about Cairn Centre of Excellence (CCoE), a state-of-the-art vocational training centre, established as a CSR venture by Cairn, he left his job and enrolled in the Wind Energy training course at CCoE. Post the completion of his training, he was placed with a major wind energy company.
SUMIT IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. CCOE HAS NOT ONLY BEEN GIVING THE EXPOSURE TO PRACTICAL HANDS-ON LEARNING TO SUCH STUDENTS BUT IS ALSO PROVIDING THEM A PLATFORM TO USE THEIR EXISTING KNOWLEDGE.
The centre also focuses on the soft skills through dedicated modules, organises seminars and debates on campus, and encourages student interact ions with industry professionals through guest lectures, site visits and project work.

AGRICULTURE & ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Agriculture forms the basis of food security globally. For developing countries, agriculture is key to poverty alleviation and a key driver of growth. Vedanta promotes agriculture, livestock & livelihood development programmes in the countries of its operation, especially in India and Africa.
UPLIFTING RURAL NAMIBIA, ONE GOAT AT A TIME
SKORPION ZINC, NAMIBIA
Skorpion Zinc's Karas Goat Project is a beacon of hope for the economic emancipation of rural people in Namibia. The project, started in March 2012, aims to accelerate poverty eradication in Namibia by offering rural, underprivileged families a sustainable entrepreneurial opportunity through goat farming.
The Goat project was launched in collaboration with the Office of the Governor and the Nama Traditional Authorities after a needs assessment was carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture. It is designed to be sustainable and to provide cascading benefits. In order to set off a cascading effect, after three years, some of the offspring are given to a second set of beneficiaries who, in turn, replicate the entire process. This essentially creates a virtuous cycle that can endure for many years to come.
In FY 2016-17, we assisted
90,000  farmers
for agriculture and allied interventions.
IN FY 2016-17, THE PROJECT ADDED 5 NEW FAMILIES, BRINGING THE NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES TO 21. EACH BENEFICIARY RECEIVES 31 GOATS. MORE THAN 60% OF THE BENEFICIARIES ARE WOMEN – A DELIBERATE INTERVENTION TO ASSIST WOMEN HEADED HOUSEHOLDS IN RURAL NAMIBIA.
CASE STUDY
PLACING WOMEN IN THE DRIVING SEAT
GAMSBERG
Mining is still widely regarded as a man's profession. Thus, we see fewer women working in the mining areas. While setting up the Gamsberg project, we saw great potential in training the women from Khai-Ma region to work in an open pit mine as Haul Truck Operators. Roux Mining, our contractor and business partner, joined forces with us on a pilot project to provide the required training.
More than 180 applications were received. The shortlisted women were interviewed by a panel comprising representatives from Roux Mining management, Gamsberg Project HR, and the National Union of Mineworkers.
14 candidates were selected and given a 4-hour tour of Gamsberg. During this tour, they had the opportunity to ride in a 100-tonne Haul Truck while observing an experienced operator. Of these candidates, 9 women were ultimately selected for the pilot programme. The remaining candidates will be given an opportunity in the future.
The programme consists of theoretical and practical training that includes
50quality hours of operating a Haul Truck.
INTEGRATING AGRICULTURE & LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT
HZL
Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in most of our neighbouring communities. Given this, Samadhan Project was launched to ensure sustainable livelihoods through integrated farming systems, and livestock development. The programme is being run in partnership with BAIF Institute of Sustainable Livelihood Development.
This year, the agriculture interventions reached
1,100 families through capacity building of farmers on improved methods of agriculture
including Rabi crop initiatives and high value vegetable production, supporting them with quality inputs, technical know-how and also
formation of 238 farmers interest groups in 117 villages.

The livestock development programme reached out to
2,600 families with doorstep services of artificial insemination, consultations with subject matter experts, and timely veterinary & vaccination camps.
This year, National Farmers' Day – December 23, was celebrated with great gusto at all HZL locations wherein about 800 farmers participated.
Cairn Oil & Gas - CSR Film
Sterlite Copper - CSR Film