Bhubaneswar: On World Tribal Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, celebrates the inspiring transformation of Kalahandi, a district once synonymous with poverty and deprivation, now emerging as a national model for tribal-led development and grassroots empowerment.
In 2001, Kalahandi’s contribution to Odisha’s Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP) was less than 1%, and the average per capita income barely touched ₹19,000. Driven by Vedanta Aluminium’s community-first approach through its alumina refinery at Lanjigarh, Kalahandi has evolved into an Aspirational District, ranking #1 in Odisha for Health & Nutrition and #2 in Education under NITI Aayog’s programme.
Between 2003 and 2015, the district’s Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP) grew by over 16%, more than double the state average.During a recent review meeting chaired by NITI Aayog in Odisha, Kalahandi was commended for achieving 100% success in five out of six key developmental indicators, including women and child health, nutrition, education, and agriculture.
Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “On World Tribal Day, we take immense pride in the transformation story of Kalahandi, a region once known for its abject poverty, which is now rising through the resilience of its tribal communities. At Vedanta Aluminium, our mission goes beyond business; it’s about building futures, especially in the rural regions we operate in. Our social impact efforts are rooted in respect for tribal identity and a belief in inclusive, sustainable development.”
