Archive for July, 2009

Vedanta University Project’s pilgrim friendly services during Rath Yatra

Distribution of biscuits and water pouches

Puri, 13^th July, 09: Taking cue from its well received service initiatives last year, Vedanta University Project has diligently served lakhs of pilgrims and devotees during Ratha Yatra at Puri this year also. Under the supervision of the Director and senior Management of Vedanta University Project, a whole gamut of services were planned and successfully implemented. A team of more than 800 volunteers comprising Vedanta employees and youth of the affected areas of Vedanta University Project at Puri was instrumental in delivering various services to the pilgrims.

The 12000 square feet rest shed at Talabania, on the outskirts of Puri town, was a major attraction for visiting pilgrims. Thousands took shelter here during Rath Yatra, Bahuda, and Sunabesha. Many of them used this facility since the evening of 23^rd June till 3^rd July. This water proof rest shed was equipped with electric lights, fans and floor mats. All those coming here were provided with safe drinking water and biscuits. There was provision for emergency medical care and first aid centre, where about 900 patients were attended to. The entire place was also guarded round the clock for the safety of people and the Vedanta officials were present there round the clock to take personal care of the pilgrims.

During Rath Yatra, Bahuda and Sunabesha 5, 00,000 ISI marked water pouches and 1, 00,000 ISI marked biscuit packets were distributed amongst the people at 11 locations like Balagandi, Badasankha, Gajapati Nagar Chhak, Marichi Kot Chhak, sea beach, etc. Some local NGOs also partnered with Vedanta for this purpose. Ambulance services were provided at Talabania on the Rath Yatra day and near the Gundicha temple till Bahuda, 2^nd July. From 25^th June, the day after Rath Yatra till 2^nd July, an information kiosk and a first aid centre remained open near the Gundicha Temple. While the information kiosk attracted a whole lot of people who were interested to know all about the proposed Vedanta University, 1192 patients were treated at the first aid centre.

In order to create the right ambience and heighten the devotional mood, several arrangements for rendering of devotional songs were also made in association with local cultural organisations all through the festival where thousands of people participated with a lot of enthusiasm. Banners and hoardings carrying devotional messages were put up at several places by Vedanta University Project so as to add to the pomp and ceremony of the festive occasion.

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Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik joins hands with Vedanta University Project

Puri, 1-7-09: Internationally acclaimed sand artist from Puri, Sudarsan Pattnaik has joined hands with the Vedanta University Project of Anil Agarwal Foundation as a public relations adviser and associate. The objective of this association is the promotion of his distinct art form and the popularisation of the traditional art and culture of Orissa in different places in our country and abroad.

Born and brought up at Puri, Sudarsan Pattnaik has been able to establish himself as an extraordinary sand artist of international repute, by dint of hard work and perseverance. Apart from winning the World Champion title in the international sand art championship at Berlin in 2008, this self taught artist has won many a national and international award already, taking the local sand art tradition to an unprecedented level. To keep alive this beautiful art form and also to provide training to budding artists, Sudarsan Pattnaik has started the open air Golden Sand Art Institute at the sea beach at Puri, since 1994. He has also been travelling to different parts of India and abroad, holding workshops and demonstrations, in order to popularise this art from. Giving this art form a new social relevance, among other things, Sudarsan has also been using it to create public awareness about various events and issues of local and global importance. All this has made Sudarsan very popular and he has emerged as a youth icon.

Expressing happiness about his association with the Vedanta University Project of Anil Agarwal Foundation, Sudarsan Pattnaik says, “As Vedanta University will take education in our state and country to a new height, their association and support will also give a further boost to my mission of propagating and popularising our tradition and culture through sand art”. Commenting on the association with Sudarsan Pattnaik, the Director of Vedanta University Project, Sanjeev Anand Zutshi  says, “We are extremely happy and proud to join hands with such an eminent artist of Puri and Orissa. Our commitment to the growth of local art and culture will be further strengthened. And this will help us reach out to the people of Puri and Orissa in a more meaningful way, so as to create a lasting bond”.

It may be reiterated that Anil Agarwal Foundation, a not-for-profit philanthropic organisation established by the Chairman of Vedanta Resources Plc, is building a world class multidisciplinary University near Puri. When complete, Vedanta University will have provision of quality higher education and cutting-edge research in 95 academic disciplines for 100,000 students. While endeavouring to build this world class and global scale University, the Vedanta University Project of Anil Agarwal Foundation is also taking up various measures in the areas of health, education, livelihood peripheral development, sports and culture, in order to enrich the life of the local community. Its people-friendly programmes and policies during the last two and half years have been greatly appreciated by one and all.

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