Vedanta Aluminium draws 30,000 visitors at Kalahandi Utsav 2026, showcases bauxite-to-aluminium journey

At the 28th edition of Kalahandi Utsav – Ghumura 2026, India's largest aluminium producer, Vedanta Aluminium, showcased its key operations and community development activities while demonstrating a clear view of aluminium production and applications.

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Held over five days in Bhawanipatna, Vedanta’s Lanjigarh refinery pavilion attracted over 30,000 people, engaging them in a walkthrough of the complex aluminium value chain. The simplified explanation of the bauxite mining to aluminium smelting process helped students, local residents, and policymakers understand how the metal is produced and where it is used in everyday life, from infrastructure and transportation to renewable energy and packaging.

The event also marked a strong reaffirmation of Vedanta Aluminium’s long-standing association with Kalahandi. The presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi underscored the festival’s importance as well as the state’s focus on aligning industrial growth with regional development.

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Beyond industrial processes, Vedanta placed equal emphasis on social impact. Dedicated zones highlighted Project ‘Sakhi’ and Project ‘Adikala’, offering visitors a window into grassroots livelihood transformation. The Sakhi marketplace showcased millet-based organic foods and handcrafted products made by over 4,000 women entrepreneurs from rural Odisha, reflecting how self-help groups are being integrated into formal value chains.

Project Adikala, meanwhile, celebrated Kalahandi’s tribal heritage through live demonstrations of Dhokra metal casting and Saura paintings. With sustained training and market access, Vedanta Aluminium has supported sustainable livelihoods for more than 200 artisan families, ensuring traditional art forms remain economically viable in a modern economy.

Education was another focal point. During the festival, Vedanta conferred the Vedanta Gyanshree Awards to eight Class X toppers from Kalahandi, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing rural academic talent. The awards were presented by Anup Ranjan Pattnaik, OJS, District & Sessions Judge, Kalahandi; Sachin Prakash Pawar, Collector & District Magistrate, Kalahandi; Madhusudan Das, Collector of Nuapada; and Nruparaj S. Sahu, Collector of Subarnapur (Sonepur), as well as Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO, Vedanta Alumina.

Speaking during the event, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO, Vedanta Alumina Business, said, “Kalahandi Utsav is a platform that celebrates the soul of this region. We are honoured by the visit of the Chief Minister, which reaffirms our belief that industrial progress and cultural preservation must go hand in hand, fostering an inclusive and sustainable future for the people of Kalahandi.”

Vedanta Aluminium has repositioned itself as a responsible industry partner through Kalahandi Utsav 2026, which connects natural resources, local culture, and inclusive growth.