Hindustan Zinc’s “Sakhi” Program Empowers Women Towards Economic Self-Reliance

Udaipur: “Economic independence is the first sign of a self-reliant woman,” said Sarita Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police, highlighting the importance of women’s empowerment at the Sakhi Utsav organized by Hindustan Zinc Chanderiya Lead Zinc Smelter in collaboration with the Manjari Foundation and Sakhi Sangam Committee at Indira Gandhi Stadium. Over 1,800 women (‘Sakhis’) enthusiastically participated in the event, celebrating women’s empowerment and self-reliance.
Sarita Singh emphasized that a woman’s ability to contribute meaningfully to society depends largely on her economic independence. She praised Indian women for managing household responsibilities while simultaneously empowering themselves. She encouraged women to take full advantage of programs such as Hindustan Zinc’s Sakhi, Shiksha Sambal, and Unchi Udaan, which provide education, skill development, and financial support. She also provided detailed information about government schemes and women’s safety initiatives.
Alok Ranjan, Location Head of Chanderiya Smelting Complex, stated that Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal and Hindustan Zinc Chairperson Priya Agarwal prioritize social initiatives, especially women’s empowerment. Since its inception in 2019, the Sakhi program has become a prominent example of women’s empowerment, benefiting over 3,000 women, helping them and their families achieve self-reliance. He emphasized that the program’s expansion depends on the company’s growth, including further investments and new zinc plants in Rajasthan, which would create more employment opportunities and enable more such initiatives. He reaffirmed Hindustan Zinc’s commitment to societal development.
Special guest Devendra Kanwar expressed delight at seeing so many empowered women come together, urging them to remain steadfast and inspire others. He highlighted that women have consistently set examples of empowerment, and nothing is impossible when there is determination.
The morning events of the Sakhi Utsav included matki race, tug-of-war, and other games, followed by Rajasthani folk dances, showcasing the energy and enthusiasm of the women participants. Organized under Hindustan Zinc’s CSR initiatives, the event saw over 1,800 women, including rural women, female employees, and members of the Zinc family, pledge to strengthen their families, communities, and the nation. The Uthori Jagruti Manch team also conducted a short play to raise awareness about women’s rights.
Winners of the games were presented with awards, and Arpita Vyas, Manager of the Sakhi Federation, shared the year-long activities of the project. She highlighted that the Sakhi Sangam Committee Federation’s corpus now stands at ₹1.22 crore, with total loans of ₹4.75 crore disbursed to women members so far. Participants praised the Chanderiya Smelting Complex’s initiatives and proposed further social and industrial development programs with collaborative support.
The event was attended by dignitaries including Nagar Panchayat Sarpanch Devkishan Reger, Sarpanch Rolheda Govardhan Salvi, Chaegavadi Sarpanch Bahadur Singh, Satpuda Sarpanch Representative Rajendra Singh, Devari Sarpanch Mangi Lal Dangi, members of the Zinc Ladies Club Sonal Surana, Prerana Mukherjee, Bhagya Kanan, Kamla Devi from Gurjar Kheda, Suman Chahaan from Pratirodh Foundation, and CSR officials Pooja Sahu (Head CSR Sundar Raj), CSO G. Malesham, Deputy CSR Head Yogesh Verma, among others.
Women participants also performed folk dances and songs, while information about Hindustan Zinc’s **CSR projects—Sakhi, Samadhan, Zinc Skills, and Shiksha Sambal—**was shared through dedicated stalls.
As India’s largest and the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer, Hindustan Zinc, through the Sakhi and micro-enterprise programs, is building an ecosystem for inclusive development, focusing on economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and skill development. Under the Sakhi Production Committee, 14 micro-enterprises and 208 stores have been established. With brands like Daichi (food products) and Upaya (textiles), strong connections have been created with rural markets.
Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, the initiative promotes gender equality, decent work, economic growth, and reduced inequalities, impacting 184+ villages, 203 village organizations, 21,607 self-help groups, and empowering over 25,488 women.
The event celebrated women’s collective energy and commitment to economic, social, and community development.