Aluminium - Enriching A Billion Lives

Dongaria Kondh tribals are native to Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of Odisha. These are same districts which have been used as a symbol of backwardness by popular media since a long time. The ground realities too corroborate the narrative of poverty and helplessness which the people in the region have been suffering. While the country has been making steadfast progress in various fields, time seems to pass slowly for the people in these regions. The cry for development covers a gamut of areas - infrastructure, agriculture, industry establishment for job creation, schools and hospitals. On August 3, 2106, tribals and natives from the hinterland and villages gathered near the Governor House in the state Capital on the common ground of development for the people and the region. They were represented by the Kalahandi – Rayagada Development Forum which stressed on taking concrete steps to empower the poor tribals. According to Mr. Ajaya Mishra, the president of ...

‘Voices on ground’ brings together the changing outlook and demand of the villagers and tribals in Lanjigarh. For far too long, they had taken up a stance against industries propagated by the vested interest brigade. But now in Lanjigarh, where Vedanta’s Alumina Refinery is located, demonizing industrialization is no longer the dominant narrative. The demand for the right to live healthy and prosperous lives is starting to gain traction amongst the native people. For the first time, the demand for development has transcended the local villagers and percolated in tribal areas. They want their right to development and a better quality of life. They have come around the fact that industrialization is necessary for job creation and poverty alleviation. It is not by fighting against industrialization that this can be achieved but by partnering with the local industries and pushing for development. Health, education, roads and electricity are a priority in these times. It is the re...

In an effort to give a shot in the arm to the ailing domestic aluminium industry, the Aluminium Association of India (AAI) has taken a significant step forward by opening a dialogue with the federal government of India. The aluminium industry in India is going through turbulent times and the domestic manufacturers are bearing the brunt of the downturn in the global commodity cycle which has been further aggravated by huge imports from China & Gulf countries. This can also be attributed to the steady rise in imports, falling aluminium prices and increasing production costs. The industry is presently struggling with a debt of about Rs. 70,000 crores in the domestic scenario which has seen a massive investment to the tune of Rs. 1.2 lac crores in the past few years. The volatility of the LME prices have also abetted in the financial crisis that the aluminium industry is currently facing. In the face of these odds, the AAI has sought help from the government on a three point ...