RNS: With the aim of making womenfolk around its operational areas self-sufficient and independent, ESL Steel Limited, a Vedanta Group Company and a key national steel player have been dedicatedly working on various CSR initiatives and rolling out new projects.
Project JIVIKA by ESL ensures socio-economic empowerment of 1500 SHG women in three years through bank linkage and inter-loaning activities to strengthen their position in the community. The intervention is aimed at multi-level livelihood impact on women and their families in Textiles, Mushroom Cultivation, Phenyl Production, Puffed Rice Production, Bamboo Products, and other livelihood interventions with implementing NGO Drishtee Foundation.
The projects not only support training but also help the women through market linkages. Under the initiative, ESL has already reached 584 SHGs women so far. They have produced more than 3000 liters of Phenyl, 160 kgs of mushroom, 800 bottles of Spawn, 5500 masks etc. Under the project, SHG women have already got FSSAI Certificate for mushroom and puffed rice production.
Under this project, ESL has already established Spawn production Unit, Phenyl Production Unit, Puffed Rice Production Unit, Mushroom Production Unit, Textile Centres, and Bamboo Products Unit, including others, to promote sustainable livelihood to rural SHG women. The Project JIVIKA is also supported by the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society. Recently, a webinar on COVID Awareness was also organised by ESL in which more than 300 SHG women have participated.
Speaking on the occasion, N.L. Vhatte, CEO, ESL Steel Limited said, always believed that women’s bright minds and children in Jharkhand have not been exploited fully. They have great potential and can make the state proud if they get the right direction.
“We, therefore, help in launching various initiatives to make the state shine and India proud by empowering adolescent girls and young women. We would be forever grateful to all our partners, including the State Government of Jharkhand that has always supported us in all our endeavours,” he added.
Anita Kerketta, DPM, JSLPS said, ESL’s women-centric initiatives are aimed at preparing talents that qualify them to become independent entrepreneurs.
“We are extremely happy to have contributed and benefitted by their hard work, which is aimed at empowering women and giving them wings to fly high. I am hopeful that their projects will greatly contribute to making girls and women self-dependent. JSLPS will always extend our support by promoting such wonderful initiative for empowering women.”
ESL has been working on its women-centric projects with sheer determination to fight gender discrimination and instill a level of confidence and courage among the womenfolk. The company has constantly been rolling out newer initiatives for their development across Jharkhand and plans to get better in their reach and outlook in the future.
