BALCO Chief Executive Officer and Director Mr. Rajesh Kumar, cut the ribbon
TFP Bureau, Korba, January 20, 2025: In a remarkable initiative under BALCO’s Unnati Project, a food van operated by women from a self-help group (SHG) was inaugurated at the BALCO plant premises. The food van, which will be open from Monday to Saturday, serves a variety of snacks including Maggi, sandwiches, potato fries, rolls, biryani, shakes, and cold coffee. The inauguration ceremony was led by BALCO Chief Executive Officer and Director Mr. Rajesh Kumar, who cut the ribbon in the presence of senior company officials. The van is operated by a team of four women from the SHG, offering employees a taste of home-made meals.
Project Unnati Empowers Local Women with Skills and Entrepreneurship Opportunities
As part of the Unnati Project, women have been trained in a variety of culinary skills, enabling them to create and sell traditional Chhattisgarhi snacks, homemade chocolates, and other food items such as cookies, pickles, papad, badi, and cakes. In addition to the food van, the Chhatisa Micro Enterprise under Project Unnati is also providing tiffin services and outdoor catering.
The initiative, aimed at empowering women through entrepreneurship, has seen over 500 self-help groups (SHGs) formed, involving more than 5,800 women. Through various skill-building and training modules, women have developed their competencies in food production and other livelihood opportunities, allowing them to earn a living and achieve financial independence. The project is implemented in collaboration with GPR Strategies and Solutions, an NGO focused on community development.
Strengthening Women’s Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods
Project Unnati is designed to mobilize and empower women, providing them with the necessary skills to build sustainable livelihoods. The project has been a significant step toward fostering entrepreneurship and self-reliance among local women, helping them contribute economically while enhancing their roles within their communities.
