Indus Valley Times

By Chitta Ranjan Beura

Bhubaneswar/Tikiri,Dec.15: In the tribal hinterland of Rayagada and Kalahandi, Utkal Alumina International Limited, a 100% subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited of the Aditya Birla Group, has been tenaciously working for the community under veracious social development projects.Recently, Utkal Alumina received numerous awards and commendations for its grassroots efforts to improve the quality of life in these two aspirational districts.Utkal Alumina has received these honors on a number of occasions in last two months for its admirable contributions to society through its CSR, CR, and Sustainability initiatives from major national groups like FICCI, CSR Times, and UBS Forum.

In the ascending order on 12^th December 2022 FICCI CSR AWARD 2020-21 was deliberated special Jury Commendation to Utkal Alumina under the category-5“Food Security &Agriculture” for its CSR project “Sugandha”. The award was presented at FICCI Federation House, New Delhi by Sri Arjun Munda, Hon’ble Union Tribal Affairs Minister, GoI and Smt. Rajshree Ji Birla, Chairperson Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development. Sugandha: Wasteland development by Cultivation of Lemon grass which has increased the income of local farmer three-fold and taken them towards a lucrative cash crop cultivation. The award was received by Sri Mazhar Beig, Unit Head and President Utkal Alumina, Dr. Lopamudra Priyadarshini, Head CSR, CR & Sustainability,Sri Manoj Das CSR Mines.

Group Executive President CSR Aditya Birla Group,,Dr. Pragnyan Ram witnessed the occasion to encourage the team.

In this series on 8^th December 2022 CSR TIMES AWARD 2022 was bestowed to Utkal Alumina during 9th CSR Summit held at New Delhi on 8th Dec 2022. The award was presented under the category of Livelihood for Project UANAT (Utkal’s Action for Agriculture Transformation). UANAT is a large scale multisectoral livelihoods initiative under its CR & Sustainability vertical of Utkal Alumina. The award was presented by Sri Janardan Singh Singriwal, Honourable Member of Lok Sabha, Sri S. Ravi Shankar, Executive Committee Member CSR Times and Sri H.E Sinisa Pavic, Ambassador of Republic of Serbia. Sri Tanmaya Mohanty, heading the sustainability and CR function of Utkal,  a futuristic Social development Wing of CSR received the award. 

Further on 8^th November 2022 Utkal was winner for the category of Best Innovative CSR project Award From UBS Forum at “6th Edition of Corporate Social Responsibility Summit & Awards 2022”.The recognition was presented for Utkal’s CSR and sustainability work in the fields of rural infrastructure, healthcare, sustainable livelihood, and education. These programs are created to address community needs that have been identified scientifically through community need assessments. Utkal works on a targeted and strategic approach to development while contributing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. .Utkal is putting every effort to bring holistic and sustainable community developmentin their operational districts of Kalahandi and Rayagada.  The award was received at Bangalore bySri Manoj Das, heading CSR at Mines.