Vedanta’s “Swarna Prashan” drive enhances lives of school students in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to benefit over 6,400 students across 15 government schools in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has further expanded its ‘Swarna Prashan’ initiative.

Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Through our collaboration with the Government of Odisha and the Ministry of AYUSH, we aim to promote the health and well-being of children in underserved regions by leveraging time-tested traditional practices. Investing in children’s development is critical for shaping vibrant and thriving communities, and we are excited to witness the programme’s positive impact in Kalahandi and Rayagada.”

Mr. Nitin Kumar Tiwari, CEO, Bauxite Mines, Vedanta Aluminium, added, “The Swarna Prashan initiative has been warmly received by the community, benefiting students across 25 government schools. With plans to extend the programme to Koraput, we aim to reach more than 30,000 children, from infants to 16-year-olds, by the end of the year. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering child health and holistic community development.”

The main event held at GCD Zilla Girls’ High School in Rayagada was graced by District Education Officer (DEO) Basant Kumar Nayak, Additional DEO Bhajan Lal Majhi, Block Education Officer (BEO) Sudipta Kumar Das, Ayurvedic Doctor VJP Rao, and Atal Bihari Guru.

In his reactions, DEO Basant Kumar Nayak highlighted, “Swarna Prashan is a time-honoured Ayurvedic practice with proven benefits in boosting immunity and cognitive function in children. Vedanta Aluminium’s efforts in bringing such impactful health interventions to remote regions are highly commendable.”

Since launching the initiative in partnership with the Ministry of AYUSH in September 2024, Vedanta Aluminium has positively impacted more than 10,600 students in Odisha. Under the guidance of the Government of Odisha and senior officials from the Ministry of AYUSH, the programme currently operates in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, with plans to extend to adjoining Koraput district.

This ancient Ayurvedic practice involves administering a blend of gold particles, honey, and ghee to children, a formulation renowned for enhancing memory, boosting immunity, and supporting holistic development during their critical growth years.