Vedanta Bags ICC Social Impact Award for its Agri. Development program: 'Back to Farming'

-          Vedanta's Sesa Goa Iron Ore Business emerged  as runner-up in the ‘Large Enterprise Category’ at Social Impact Award 2021 by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), for its CSR Program 'Back to Farming'

New Delhi, 23^rd March 2021: Vedanta’s Sesa Goa Iron Ore Business conferred with Social Impact Award   by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) for its umbrella Agriculture Development program i.e. 'Back to farming' , during recent award ceremony at ICC Auditorium, Kolkata. Vedanta secured Runner-up position in the ‘Large Enterprise Category’ for its massive contribution towards the revival of Agriculture across the Goa state. The award process comprised of three stages which included scrutiny of the award applications, presentation by applicant and voting by jury & other delegates/ Panel of experts. On Behalf of Vedanta Mr. Nilesh Zore, CSR Lead at Vedanta’s Iron Ore Business received the award.

During award ceremony Mr. Vikash Agarwal, President ICC appreciated all the Participants i.e. corporates & NGOs for huge contribution towards community Development since last several decades and special efforts towards combating COVID while continuing the efforts towards Socio-Economic upliftment, despite of difficult times.

The larger objective of Vedanta’s ‘Back to Farming’ initiative is to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and further enhance the contribution of Agriculture sector towards Socio- economic growth. The project is based on the multi-pronged approach to ensure the holistic development of Agri. & Agri. Based allied activities through financial Assistance for Agri. Equipment's, providing Seeds & fertilizers, Linkages to Govt. Agri. Schemes, Market linkages, Awareness programs, Irrigation facilities etc.

Speaking about this achievement Ms. Leena Verenkar, Group CSR Head- Vedanta Limited Said," We are extremely happy to receive this prestigious recognition for ' Back to Farming' project. This award is a testimony of our consistent efforts towards Holistic development of community.   At Vedanta Agriculture & sustainable livelihood generation is one of the major thrust area of our CSR Interventions.  We continuously strive hard to contribute towards nation building and self-reliance through our structured CSR Programs and we strongly believe that Agriculture and Natural resource industry has a tremendous potential to lead the journey towards vision of $5 Trillion Economy by 2024."

Speaking about Vedanta's 'Back to Farming' program, Dr. Govind Parab, Assistant Agriculture Officer, Sankhalim said, “We are grateful for Vedanta’s continuous support towards upliftment of Agriculture. I believe Agriculture is the most important sector to achieve the larger vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and US$ 5 Trillion economy and our constant endeavor is to facilitate PPP model for the fast track growth the Agri. Sector."

Mr. Navanath Vhatte, Head – Vedanta's  Value Added Business, congratulated the CSR team and Said, “We are thankful to the Indian Chamber of Commerce’s Social Impact Awards, for recognizing our CSR contribution towards upliftment of  Agriculture. At Vedanta Value Added Business, we believe that community development is integral to our Business philosophy and major driver of our success. At Vedanta VAB we are committed to support the communities around, through all possible means and create maximum value for all our stakeholders through sustainable growth. "

Vedanta's Sesa Goa Iron Ore Business implemented various other CSR programs for the larger benefits of the communities, such as Mobile Health Units, Community Medical Centers, Scholarship program, Sports development programs, and skill development