Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Vedanta University Project gets Environment Clearance

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Bhubaneswar, 17-04-2010: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), Govt of India has granted the Environment and CRZ Clearance to Anil Agarwal Foundation for the project recently. With this, Anil Agarwal Foundation has fulfilled another major legal requirement for establishing the university. This approval is likely to facilitate the project to move further.

Anil Agarwal Foundation is taking all efforts to establish the project as per the legal provisions of the land. The project has made it clear that it will abide by the law to set up the University. In this line, Anil Agarwal Foundation had submitted all the required reports and documents like the questionnaire, EIA, EMP and additional clarifications to get the Environmental Clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests. After thoroughly appraising the documents and its application and realizing the importance of the project in regards to the socio-economic and educational development of the State, the Ministry has granted the clearance on 16th April, 2010. While the project is facing opposition from different fields, the Environment Clearance is expected to accelerate the process of its establishment.

 

It may noted here that, Anil Agarwal Foundation, a philanthropic organization established by Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Resources Plc, is setting up this multi-disciplinary, world-class university near Puri. This not-for-profit University, being built on a global scale, has been envisaged as one-of-its-kind institution for higher education. Having provision for quality higher education and cutting-edge research facility in 95 academic disciplines for 1,00,000 students, this mega university will put Orissa and India distinctively on world education map. The project envisages construction of 2,73, 68, 959 sq. meters spread out over 6, 892 acres in Puri. This complex will have the university (academic block) on 1,500 acres, R&D Centre and Research Park on 1,200 acres, Olympic Class, Athletic Complex on 300 acres, Water Treatment Plant STP on 100 acres, green belt and open spaces on 1,092 acres, township for faculty and staff on 2,100 acres, Sports Complex on 100 acres and Exhibition Centre on 100 acres of land. The State Government is in the final stages of transferring about 4,000 acres of land, acquired by it for the project.

Posted in News, Progress | Comments Off

Successful marketing of watermelon by local farmers, under the SAFAL initiative of Vedanta University Project

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Watermelon marketing through cooperative

Puri, 30-03-2010: For the first time, farmers of Kabirajpur village, Puri have successfully sold 5.4 metric tonne of watermelon at their door step through an institutional process, at a total price of Rs. 18, 900/-, setting a benchmark in watermelon marketing in the area. This marketing has been done by the Baba Beleswar Krushak Samabaya Ltd, Chaitana, a farmers’ cooperative formed under the livelihood initiative SAFAL of Vedanta University Project with the help of ACCESS, the technical service provider. The farmers could sell watermelon at a price of Rs. 3500/- per metric tonne, as against the price of Rs. 3000/-, normally offered by the local traders. The watermelon was procured by the cooperative, which was later sold at Bhubaneswar.

The spot determination of price was done at the village itself. This marketing of watermelon was facilitated by Vedanta University Project under its SAFAL initiative. The main objective of this marketing was to avoid distress sale of watermelon, to provide a market to the small and marginal farmers at their door step and to get them some instant income in order to meet the current farming cost. The farmers’ co-operative, Baba Beleswar Krushak Samabaya Ltd could familiarize itself with the entire process of institutional marketing like, listing of the farmer’s name and the quantity of watermelon to be sold, contacting the buyer, arranging things at the watermelon collection point, listing of the sale price, etc.

This marketing process has been very encouraging to all concerned. Prashanta Nayak of Kabirajpur village, one of the farmers who has sold his watermelon says, “For the first time we have received a good price, in fact Rs. 500/- more than what the local traders offer. This marketing process has given us a lot of confidence. We have learnt how to sell our farm produce at a better price”.

It can be recalled that the main objective of the SAFAL initiative of Vedanta University Project is to increase the family income of small and marginal farmers, empower them through institutionalized community structures (farmer’s SHGs, Cooperatives, etc), facilitate their negotiation of key linkages in the value chains and thus, mainstream them. So far, 110 Farmers’ Self Help Groups (FSHGs) have been formed under this initiative comprising 1516 farmers from 23 different villages. 2 cooperatives, namely, Jaya Jagannath Krushak Samavaya Ltd and Baba Beleswar Krushak Samabaya Ltd and 6 farmers’ clubs with the support of NABARD have also been formed.

It is worth mentioning here that Vedanta University Project under the SAFAL initiative has been working immensely towards the upliftment of the farmers by providing them all technical support through ACCESS, the technical service provider for SAFAL and by organizing various facility visits of the farmers to various cooperatives so that they can learn and acquire new farming techniques for better production. Recently, Vedanta University Project’s SAFAL along with Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) organized an exposure visit for a team of 28 persons including 13 Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs), 12 Anganwadi Workers, 1 supervisor and 2 SAFAL officials to Warangal, Andhra Pradesh. During the trip, they visited the Self Help Dairy Cooperatives promoted by Cooperative Development Foundation and Wardhanapet Swakrushi Dairy Cooperative at Warangal apart from a few milk collection centers. During the visit, the members of the WSHGs gained valuable information on milk production, collection, processing and marketing. Mrs. Pramila Mohanty of Chaitana village under Gop block, a participant of the exposure trip says, “The visit has immensely helped us to facilitate and strengthen the Women dairy Cooperative that we are planning to form in the Gop block with the support of ICDS, Veterinary Department and SAFAL”.

 

Posted in In the Press, News, Progress | Comments Off

Vedanta University Project conducts capacity-building training programmes for local farmers

Friday, November 27th, 2009

Posted in News, Progress | Comments Off

Impressive success of Vedanta University Project sponsored industrial trainees

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

27-10-2009, Puri: The Vedanta University Project sponsored trainees have done exceedingly well in their 1^st year term ending examination at Sri Industrial Training Centre, Patrapada, Bhubaneswar where  they are pursuing a two-year industrial training certificate course. Whereas the average mark scored by these trainees is more than 60 %, Sridhar Baral and Rajendra Sahoo have been able to top the list in the Electrician and Fitter trade, respectively, from amongst 126 students in each category. Expressing happiness about his success, Rajendra Sahoo of Chaittana village who has topped in the Fitter trade, says, “I am extremely thankful to Vedanta University Project for giving us the opportunity to pursue such a professional course. We are sure that with sincere efforts we can find good jobs and do well in life.” Sridhar Baral of Kantigorada village, who has topped in the Electrician trade, nods in agreement.

Since last year, 38 young people from the project impacted families have been sponsored by the Vedanta University Project of Anil Agarwal Foundation for a two-year industrial training course at Sri Industrial Training Centre, Bhubaneswar.  Out of these 38 sponsored students, 19 have been admitted in the Electrician trade and the remaining 19 have been admitted in the Fitter trade. The main objective of this initiative is to equip these youths with some employment oriented technical skills so that they can find better earning opportunities. This is part of the on-going community development/empowerment initiatives of the Vedanta University project and Anil Agarwal Foundation is taking care of all expenses of these sponsored students. These students have been doing quite well in their studies and extracurricular activities, and their performance in the regular monthly examinations has been impressive also.

Along with the technical training and the usual extracurricular activities like sports and yoga, care is also taken to develop the personality of the students and their social consciousness, by involving them in various community welfare programmes. As the Principal of the industrial training centre says, “The idea of this training is not only to provide technical education to the students but also to develop their soft skills for an improved personality. That is why, these students are actively taking part in activities like blood donation, flood relief, etc”. As part of their training programme, the students are also sent on exposure trips to different organizations in order to gain hands-on job experience. During the last academic term, the students of Fitter Trade have visited Hirakud Power Project and the students of Electrician Trade have visited Gopalpur Port.

It may be noted here that Anil Agarwal Foundation, a not-for-profit philanthropic organization established by the Chairman of Vedanta Resources Plc, is setting up a world class, multidisciplinary University near Puri that will provide quality higher education to 100, 000 students in 95 academic disciplines. While endeavouring to build this University, the Vedanta University Project of Anil Agarwal Foundation is also taking up various community development initiatives in the areas of health, education, livelihood, peripheral development, sports and culture, in order to enrich the life of the people residing in the vicinity. The much appreciated SAFAL (Sustainable Action for Farmers’ Livelihood) and the provision of industrial training for the youths of project impacted families, are amongst the initiatives currently undertaken in the livelihood sector. The success of Vedanta University Project sponsored industrial trainees underscores the point that given the right opportunity, people and especially the youth will be able to make good use of their talent and do well in life.

For more information, please contact:

Kishore Chandra Das

Head, Communications

Contact No. : 9437012258

E-mail id: Kishore.das@vedanta.edu.in

 

Ashis Kumar Acharya

Public Relations Officer

Contact No. : 9937107444

E-mail id: ashis.acharya@vedanta.edu.in

Posted in In the Press, News, Progress | Comments Off

VUP sponsors fresh batch of students to study at DAV School, Puri

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

Puri, 19-08-2009: Vedanta University Project of Anil Agarwal Foundation has sponsored a fresh batch of 139 children from the project impacted villages, to study in DAV Public School at Puri in the current academic session of 2009-10. Out of them, 100 have joined the DAV Oriya medium school and 39 have joined the DAV English medium school, passing the entrance test and fulfilling all criteria for admission. With the induction of these 139 children, the total number of Vedanta University Project sponsored students studying in DAV Public school, Puri, has risen to 414. Total number of students studying in the DAV English medium school has thus risen to 140 and the total number of students studying in the DAV Oriya medium school has gone up to 274. This is very much in line with the commitment of Vedanta University Project to facilitate quality education for 500 children from the project impacted villages. Some more students are expected be admitted in the next phase.

Like the 275 children admitted last year, all the newly admitted students are being provided with free school bags, uniforms, shoes, books and water bottles so as to make them ready and eager  for regular schooling. Four 40-seater buses have been provided, since last year, for the transport of these students from their respective villages to school and back. Vedanta University Project is bearing all the educational expenses of these children. Nutritious mid-day meal is also provided to all the students of DAV school, since last year. As of now, the daily mid-day meal scheme caters to as many as 830 students.

Vedanta University Project has also contributed towards the improvement of infrastructure in the existing DAV school at Puri, including construction of a new block of classrooms. It is worth mentioning here that on the initiative of the Vedanta University Project of Anil Agarwal Foundation, an Oriya medium school, named DAV High School, has been started by the DAV society at Puri since last year. This school is catering to the educational needs of a majority of children from the Vedanta University Project impacted villages.

At present, the Oriya medium school is functioning in the same premises as the English medium school. But the University project of Anil Agarwal Foundation has plans to construct a separate building of 10,000 sq ft on 3 acres of land, for this new school. This new school will have all facilities like modern classrooms, staff room, laboratory, library, activity room, computer room, toilets as well as space for sports and games.

It may be recalled that Vedanta University Project of Anil Agarwal Foundation has signed an MOU with the DAV society to provide quality education to 500 children from the project impacted villages. The main objective of this initiative is to provide quality education to the children of the project impacted villages so that they can have better opportunities for progress in life and  can also join the world class Vedanta University later.

 

For queries, please contact:

Kishore Chandra Das

Head, Communications

9437012258

kishore.das@vedanta.edu.in

 

Ashis Kumar Acharya

Public Relations Officer

9937107444

ashis.acharya@vedanta.edu.in

 

Posted in News, Progress | Comments Off

Vedanta University Project sponsors Arm Wrestler from Puri, to participate in the world meet

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Puri, 5-8-09: In keeping with its endeavour to promote sports in Orissa and the country as a whole, Vedanta University Project of Anil Agarwal Foundation has come forward to sponsor Ms. Rasmirenu Guru of Puri, Orissa, to participate in the 31^st World Arm Wrestling Championship scheduled to be held in Italy from 6^th to 13^th September, 2009.

The support provided by Vedanta University Project is based on the huge potential of this local sportsperson as far as the sporting discipline of Arm wrestling is concerned. The support is intended to relieve this competitor of financial worries so as to help her concentrate on the game and perform better. Success of Ms Guru in a world sporting event will encourage other sportspersons of Puri and Orissa to perform well and succeed in other national and international sporting arenas, bringing laurels to themselves and to our state.

While presenting the sponsorship cheque to Ms. Rasmirenu, Mr. Sanjeev Anand Zutshi, Director, Vedanta University Project said, “I believe that sports represent the most spirited and energetic facet of a society. Arm Wrestling is a popular sport and has tremendous potential in India like some other power sports. Such sportspersons need support and encouragement. I wish Ms Rashmirenu all the very best for the World Championship.”

Accepting the cheque Ms. Rasmirenu Guru said, “I am extremely thankful to the Vedanta University Project of Anil Agarwal Foundation and its Director Mr. Zutshi for helping me out. I could not have got a chance to participate in the world championship without their support. I am working really hard to be successful there and bring a good name to my state”.

It is worth mentioning here that Ms. Rasmirenu Guru is the only participant from Orissa taking part in the World Arm Wrestling Championship to be organized at Italy. Born and brought up at Puri, Ms. Guru has been able to establish herself as a sportsperson of repute by dint of hard work and determination. She has won competitions like All India Arm Wrestling Championship, 2008 and All Orissa Arm Wrestling Championship, 2009. She has also won the 2^nd position in the National Arm - Wrestling Championship, organized by the National Arm Wrestling Federation in 2009. Apart from this, she has also successfully participated in various district and state level competitions.

It may be reiterated that Anil Agarwal Foundation, a not-for-profit philanthropic organization 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.

Posted in News | Comments Off

Vedanta University Project’s pilgrim friendly services during Rath Yatra

Monday, July 13th, 2009

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.

Posted in News | Comments Off

Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik joins hands with Vedanta University Project

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

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.

Posted in News | Comments Off

Vedanta University Project facilitates farmers’ exposure trip to Maharastra

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

Puri, 5^th June 2009: 16 farmers of Gop and Puri Sadar blocks of Puri district are out on a 8-day hands on exposure trip to Maharastra, from 3^rd to 11^th June. This exposure trip has been sponsored by Vedanta University Project, Puri under its livelihood project, ‘SAFAL’ (Sustainable Action for Farmers’ Livelihood), being implemented in collaboration with ACCESS, the specialized NGO partner. These 16 farmers from villages like Chhaitana, Goindol, Utaraswarapada, Paikapada, Kabirajpur and Podotara are accompanied by three project officials. All these farmers are members of various SHGs formed under the SAFAL project.

The group of farmers is expected to gain valuable exposure on cash crop cultivation, micro-irrigation, water management, horticulture, floriculture, dairy etc that will help them to generate a much better yield and more income. Among other things, the team will visit Jain Irrigation System Limited (JISL), Jalgaon, where they will be given training on micro irrigation, water management and horticulture. They will also visit SACRED, a national level NGO at Jalna, Aurangabad, where they will learn about the various aspects of seed production; collective purchase of inputs and marketing; contract farming and watershed development processes. The trip includes a visit to places like Telegaon, where they will interact with the farmers of Abhinav Farmers Club (AFC) which, since 2004, has emerged as a platform of information sharing on all the aspects of farming - what to farm, what to grow, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and marketing of produce. They will be imparted training in Horticulture Training Centre at Telegaon, Pune on floriculture, green house farming and other improved practices. During the trip, they will also be exposed to the Central Research Station of ‘BALF Development Foundation’ in Urulikanchan, Maharastra.

Sending off the farmers’ group at Puri, Mr. P.K.Hota, General Manager, CSR & PR said, “Our farmers will surely benefit from this exposure trip in which they will interact with more successful farmers there. This is part of Vedanta University Project’s developmental efforts that aim to make community life in the region much better than what it is today”.

 It may be noted here that the SAFAL project is expected to benefit about 4000 farmers from 29 villages through cash crop cultivation and allied activities. So far, 799 farmers from 19 villages are already part of the initiative. The main objective of SAFAL is to progressively take the farmers away from the traditional paddy cultivation and introduce them to the more lucrative cash crop cultivation. Under this project, the local farmers have already been trained in marigold, tube-rose and watermelon cultivation. The demo cultivation of marigold, tube-rose, etc has shown quite encouraging results. To take advantage of collective endeavour the farmers have formed as many as 57 SHGs. Cash crop cultivation and allied activities are expected to considerably increase their average family income.

Posted in News | Comments Off

Setting the stage for optimum medical education

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Puri, 12-4-09: A national seminar on “Optimum medical education & ethics in clinical practice” has been organised by Vedanta University on 5 April at Bhubaneswar. It marked the launch of the multi-specialty hospital as part of the Vedanta University project near the Puri-Konark marine drive in Orissa. The seminar was quite contextual given the fact that of late there has been a lot of disillusionment in public mind about the quality of medical education, what with so many medical colleges mushrooming. At the same time, with growing public awareness, questions about clinical practices, doctors’ services and the expenses involved are also cropping up now and then. If medical education is to keep up with the ever-expanding frontiers of medical research and clinical technology, something appropriate surely needs to be done. Allied with this is the issue of quality, accessibility and affordability of medical education. These were the issues and concerns that the national seminar sought to address, bringing together some of the stalwarts and leading lights of medical education and profession.

Padma Bibhushan Prof. Dr. M V S Valiathan, world renowned Cardiac Surgeon and Professor of Cardiology presided over the seminar in which Padma Bhushan Prof. Dr. N K Ganguly, Advisor, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India; Dr Vasantha Muthuswamy, Member, Central Ethics Committee on Human Research, UNESCO,UNAIDS & Founder Secretary, Forum for Ethics Review Committees in Asia-Pacific; Dr G D Ravindran, Professor of Medicine & Medical Ethics, St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore; Dr S K Sarin, Professor & Director, Gastroenterology, G B Pant Hospital, New Delhi; Dr Omkar Nath Mohanty, Vice Chancellor, Biju Pattnaik University of Technology, Orissa; Jean Mah, Principal & Healthcare Planner, Perkins+Wills Health Design Group were the main speakers. In keeping with the theme of the seminar, presentations were made on topics like Excellence in Medical Education, Ethics in Medical Research, Clinical Ethics and Interdisciplinary Study in Medicine. The interactive seminar was attended by more than a hundred distinguished doctors and educationists.

As expected, the quality of presentations was exceptional and the ideas generated were quite engaging, conforming to the ‘out-of-box solutions’ that Dr Valiathan mentioned in his keynote address. There was a general agreement on the urgent need to make medical education more qualitative, accessible and innovative as well as to make it affordable. Not only medical education needs to be in sync with contemporary and futuristic thinking and practices, the issues of health economy and biomedical or clinical practices also need to be in tune with the social context. The seminar was coordinated by Dr K P Misra, cardiologist of international repute and Dr Dipika Mohanty, the award winning former Director of the Institute of Immunohaematology, ICMR, Mumbai. Among other things, the seminar generated a lot of interest in Vedanta University’s upcoming world class multi-specialty hospital and the school of medical sciences that will be based on the core objectives of service, training and research. 

Posted in News, Progress | Comments Off

Top