Infrastructure development

Some of our initiatives to strengthen infrastructure include:
	Electrification projects covering three panchayats with a population of 3,500 people
	Drinking water project in 20 locations reaching out to 4,500 people
	Linking villages through construction of roads, bridges and culverts
	Improving the educational environment by constructing a double storied school building, with a boundary wall and school bus facility.
	Health and sanitation projects: construction of 10 seated Sulabh Sauchalaya toilets, drains, SHG room, Anganwadi centres, community halls, water harvesting structures, and cross bunds.

Education: The power to transform

We have instituted scholarships up to Class 10 and sponsored the education of meritorious students at the reputed Kalinga Institute of Social Science, Bhubaneshwar. Essel Mining has also strengthened the general infrastructure in the schools, conducted mass computer literacy drive, engaged additional teachers and enhanced pedagogic skills of teachers and volunteers appointed by different mining companies through various workshops. In an effort to keep children in school, we have also provided supplementary nutrition to balwadis.

Water – the gift of life

Water scarcity in the hilly reaches of Barbil made the lives of the tribal communities a daily misery. Moved by the suffering, Essel has helped provide safe, potable water. Essel is bringing relief to over 10,000 parched throats by installing tube wells and overhead tanks. So far 21 overhead tanks with submersible pumps and seven tube wells have been installed.

Healthy mothers, progressive families

Progressive families begin with healthy, educated mothers. With high illiteracy rates, poverty and insufficient medical facilities, health is a key focus area for Essel. Our volunteers hold regular classes to educate mothers on reproductive and child health. Immunisation, pre-natal and post-natal check-ups are conducted by us, reaching thousands of people each year. Through our Pulse Polio programme alone, over 6800 children are immunised each year.

Health care

We have organised about 110 mobile health camps in 24 villages every year, benefiting over 7,000 adivasis. Additionally, our mega health camps reach out to 1,200 more people. Some of the highlights of our health camps include:

	Over 60 family planning operations each year
	212 people voluntarily donated blood to the needy this year
	32 elderly tribals underwent cataract surgery in the past year
	Eye camps benefited 127 people
	Pediatric camps reached out to 348 children in the past year
	Malaria detection camps touch at least 145 people every year
	Modern health facilities through medical services like X-ray facility, pathological laboratory, critical care ambulance, general physician, gynaecologist, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and nurses reach out to about 15,000 patients every year

Women – our partners in progress

Adivasi women in Odisha have been our partners in progress. With Essel's counselling, they now send their children to school. They are leading Essel adult literacy and health programmes. Today, it is a matter of pride to see our 19 Self Help Groups with a membership of 190 competent women, crossing the path from dependency to freedom.

Seeds of progress

Under Essel's sustainable livelihood programmes, 264 packets of seeds were distributed to tribal village women. We are promoting this effort further by providing pumps and agricultural equipment such as power tiller, rice huller, paddy thresher, water motor pumps, sprinkler, etc

Reaping the fruit of toil

For the members of Jai Sita Ram, a Self Help Group, life was a daily struggle for survival. Essel brought a ray of hope and provided training in manufacturing white phenyl and liquid soap. The Self Help Group sells these products door-to-door to housewives. Today, the group delivers 400 litres of phenyl every month to earn a profit of Rs. 6000 per month. A modest start, it has given them the power to dream. They have since obtained dealership to supply phenyl in various mining companies.

Tailoring a bright future

Reeta Verma of Jalahari village was left abandoned, with two children to fend for. To support her, we took on Reeta as a tailoring instructor. She has already trained 54 girls, some of whom have already begun earning. Essel has further trained Reeta in computers, handicrafts and candle making.

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