‘Vedanta is a friend in need of Odisha’

Bhubaneshwar: Billionaire industrial magnet Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group was on a visit to Bhubaneswar for attending Make is Odisha Conclave 2022 at the invitation of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Apart from his itinerary of attending MIO, Agarwal attended a unique interaction session with Odisha#1st eminent personalities forum consisting of 19 eminent personalities representing various fields of excellence like Science and Technology, Heath, Education, Dance, Music, Literature, Sports, etc.

While addressing eminent personalities, Agarwal expressed his gratitude for their continuous support and told that he would further step up his participation in the progress and development of the state. He also recollected his association with legendary Biju Patnaik and Naveen Patnaik.

Odisha#1st eminent personalities including seven Padma Bibhusan, Padma Bhusan and Padmashri Recipients like Padma Bibhusan Hariprasad Chaurasia (world renowned flutist), Padma Bibhusan Sudharshan Sahoo (Stone Artist), Padma Bhusan Pratibha Ray (eminent Odia poet and writer), Pramod Bhagat (gold medalist of Paralympic), Padmashri Dillip Tirkey (celebrated Hockey Player and President of Indian Hockey Association), Padmashri Guru Aruna Mohanty (prominent Odissi exponent and President of Odisha Sangit Natak Academy), Padmashri Illeana Citaristy (reputed Odissi Dancer), Padmashri Prabhakar Maharana (Stone Artist),  Dr. A k Mohapatra (Ex-Director AIMS and present Vice Chancellor, SOA University), Dr. Damodar Acharya (eminent technocrat & Ex- Director IIT), Nandita Das (celebrated actress), Prof. Sudhakar Panda (ex-member State Finance Commission), Aarati Devi (reputed social worker), Lt. Gen. J K Mohanty (retd. Justice), B K Mishra (Ex-Chairman of State Human Rights Commission), Prof. Jayant Parida (Directo- KIIT International Study Centre), Odia superstar Sabyasachi Mishra, Swami Shri Jagadanand of Swami Shivanand Organization, A K Das (Ex- Director, Bhaba Atomic Research Centre) were present among others.

Hariprasad Chaurasia, Chairman of the Odisha #1st forum extended warm welcome to Anil Agarwal to Odisha and appreciated his contribution for industrial development of the state. Sudarshan Sahu in his interaction reminded Agarwal the invitation of legendary personality Biju Patnaik to set up industry in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh. He also complimented Vedanta Chairman for actively participating to the development of the State.

Pratibha Ray narrated about the good work done by Vedanta in the state. Aruna Mohanty, Illeana Citaristy and Prabhakar Maharana thanked Agarwal for the initiatives of Vedanta for promoting the state’s cultural excellence.

All eminent personalities present at the event thanked Agarwal for bringing transformation in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh and requested him to further invest in Odisha. They also suggested different projects in the areas of education, health, art and culture as maybe felt appropriate by him.

Hariprasadh Chaurasia and other prominent personalities also complimented Rahul Sharma, CEO– Aluminium Business, Vedanta Limited and T K Chand, well-known industry professional of the state and President, Vedanta Aluminium, for taking up several initiatives at the state level for the good of the people. They also told that Vedanta has stood with the people of Odisha in the time of need; they would support Vedanta and its founder Chairman Anil Agarwal.

Many Senior executives from Vedanta attended the interaction program.