Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) will be the umbrella entity of Vedanta’s social initiatives to provide allround development over the next five years.
A first-generation industrialist, Anil Agarwal has in just three decades built a globally diversified natural resources group committed to sustainable development with operations in India, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Liberia, Australia and Ireland.
Vedanta Limited is a diversified mining and metals company with presence in copper, aluminium, zinc, steel and iron ore among others. The hallmark of Agarwals’ business has been the ability to create stakeholder value, specifically for the local communities with women empowerment, education and healthcare being the three core areas of his vision. His passion for inclusive growth has resulted in extensive benefits to the local communities. Vedanta is actively engaged in sustainable development and philanthropic activities. About 3,000 aangwandis supported by the Group cater to 1.25 lakh children, while as many as 2.5 lakh children receive nutritious meals every day through the mid-day meal programme at schools. Investments in providing computer education have benefitted about 10 lakh students.
Hospitals and mobile health centres and rural health posts have provided healthcare to over 22 lakh people. The Group also supports more than 2,000 women empowerment and self-help groups in setting up micro-enterprises involving more than 35,000 women.
The Vedanta Group recently announced a Rs 5,000-crore social impact programme with focus on nutrition, women and child development, healthcare, animal welfare and grass-root level sports. It included investments in a corona-free village project across several states to combat the pandemic. KPMG will be the strategic partner of Anil Agarwal Foundation in implementing this massive programme.
The ‘Swasth Gaon Abhiyaan’ initiative will be a mega project which will enhance ‘immunity in community’ to ensure minimum impact of Covid-19, as part of the Group’s overall objective of providing social development and infrastructure as an essential service to the nation. In addition, the programme will also enhance job opportunities, reskill the youth and help bring in stability and progress. “We aim to strengthen our efforts and facilitate sustainable and inclusive growth, which is the need of the hour to protect and provide for our communities,” said Anil Agarwal, who has already pledged to give 75 per cent of his wealth towards social good and uplift of the masses.
“The Swasth Gaon Abhiyaan initiative is the first step in our journey to provide end-to-end healthcare solutions across the rural landscape covering 1,000 villages. This programme will also complement Vedanta’s flagship Nand Ghar project which aims to impact 70 million children and 20 million women,” added Agarwal. The Foundation plans to support and strengthen healthcare services across 1,000 villages within 24 districts and 12 states in the country, impacting over two million lives.
The initiative will follow a model of interventions at the district level, such as oxygen generation plants, telemedicine services, upgradation of medical and diagnostic infrastructure and mobile medical vans/ambulances. Efforts are being made to promote vaccination through special medical and wellness camps being held in remote areas. Provisions of medical amenities are also being made in district-wise hospitals and healthcare centres to ensure quality treatment.
