World Breastfeeding Week: BALCO Empowers Mothers Through Comprehensive Health Initiatives
Balconagar, 21st August 2024: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a part of Vedanta Aluminium, commemorated World Breastfeeding Week 2024 with a comprehensive awareness campaign aimed at empowering pregnant and lactating women from the local community. In line with the global theme “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” the campaign addressed the benefits of breastfeeding, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of breast milk.
The sessions also highlighted the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, advanced caregiving techniques such as kangaroo care, and preparing women before childbirth to optimize breast milk flow. 500+ pregnant and lactating women attended the sessions to gain these insights.
The week-long initiative culminated in a significant event, to honor and support breastfeeding mothers, underscoring the critical role of family, community, and healthcare worker involvement in promoting and sustaining breastfeeding practices.
Highlighting the impact of such initiatives, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director of BALCO, said, “Access to quality healthcare is central to our vision of creating a thriving community. Through initiatives like these, we strive to empower individuals with the right knowledge and skills needed to take care of themselves. By supporting maternal and child health, we are investing in the well-being of our communities, ensuring that every mother and child can lead a healthy and prosperous life.”
Sharing her experience, Ms. Renu Prakash, District Program Officer, Women and Child Development said, “A child’s nutrition is deeply connected to the mother’s well-being. In line with the women and child development goals, BALCO’s initiatives provide knowledge that empowers mothers to prioritize their own health, ensuring their children receive the nourishment they need. I trust that the participants will apply these learnings to care for themselves and their children more effectively.”
Rejina Linga, a beneficiary from the community speaking about the sessions, said “The Kangaroo Care method has been a revelation for me. Holding my baby skin-to-skin, as they taught us, has not only strengthened our bond but also contributed to my baby’s overall well-being. The guidance from these sessions has boosted my confidence as a mother, empowering me to taking care of my child properly.”
BALCO’s dedication to maternal and child health through its Arogya program and Nand Ghars, which are modernized Anganwadis for the development of women and children, aligns with its broader mission to promote socio-economic development and well-being in the communities it serves. Arogya offers comprehensive health care services, focusing on maternal and child health, malnutrition, anemia, and awareness on HIV, TB, and de-addiction. Nand Ghars, a collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), provides pre-school nutrition, education with a top-tier curriculum, digital learning tools, significantly boosting children’s cognitive development, attendance, and school readiness.
Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) is India’s iconic aluminium producer. It is owned 51% by Vedanta Limited and 49% by the Government of India. BALCO is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
About Vedanta Limited
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa, Namibia, and Australia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Under the aegis of Vedanta Cares, the flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars have been set up as model anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Vedanta and its group companies have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index 2020, and were conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, CII Environmental Best Practices Award 2020, CSR Health Impact Award 2020, CII National Award 2020 for Excellence in Water Management, CII Digital Transformation Award 2020, ICSI National Award 2020 for excellence in Corporate Governance, People First HR Excellence Award 2020, ‘Company with Great Managers 2020’ by People Business and certified as a Great Place to Work 2021. Vedanta’s flagship Nand Ghar Project was identified as best CSR project by the Government of Rajasthan. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange in India and has ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
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