National Youth Day 2025 is celebrated on 12 January every year, with this year’s theme being “Ignite the self, impact the world” – exemplifying the potential that the youth hold in making a transformational impact in the world. Vedanta Sesa Goa has over the years developed and impactfully executed youth-oriented initiatives which have so far impacted over 1lac youth in since 2018. These have been in the domain of skilling, sports, education and IT learning among others
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Navin Jaju, CEO, Vedanta Sesa Goa, said, “At Vedanta Sesa Goa, our commitment lies in empowering young minds through education and skill development. The SFA, STS, our digital education & scholarship initiatives have been instrumental in promoting an empowered & enabled society. By partnering closely with communities, we strive to ‘give back’ meaningfully & contribute to the vision of a #ViksitBharat.” to the Nation and contributing to holistic progress.”
The key initiatives of Sesa Football Academy (SFA) & Sesa Technical School (STS), the Company’s flagship CSR projects, have consistently contributed to nurturing the future of the youth. Since 1999, the SFA has nurtured the footballing aspirations of over 8000 players through various avenues, with 230+ benefitting directly from the residential program being run at the Academy. 14 players from SFA, including boys & girls, have represented India at the international level. Its senior women’s Team is representing Goa at the Indian Women’s League and the senior men’s team has been performing commendably in the Goa Premier League with stints at the I-League 3 Group and Play-off stages.
Aaroshi Govekar, player at Sesa Football Academy and recently selected for the Indian football team, said: “Wearing the Indian jersey is a dream come true. This milestone is the result of years of dedication and the right guidance. Sesa Football Academy has been a true enabler, providing not just training but the discipline, exposure, and confidence needed to compete at the highest level. I am deeply grateful to the Academy, my coaches, and my family for supporting me throughout this journey.”
Sesa Technical School, established in 1994 has provided industry-ready technical skilling to over 2000 youth from the rural and mining belts of Goa. Affiliated to the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and the ITI, the STS runs courses in five trades including instrument mechanic, electrician, machinist, fitter & COPA. Girls are particularly encouraged by providing them scholarships and through the specially curated COPA course. The STS also has a near 100% placement record with prestigious companies onboarding the graduates including Vedanta Sesa Goa, Procter & Gamble, MRF Tyres, Siemens, Sanofim Unichem, Nestle, among others.
Laxman Dalvi, Alumnus, Sesa Technical School & Entrepreneur said, “Sesa Technical School gave me more than technical skills-it gave me confidence, discipline, and a clear direction in life. Coming from a humble background, STS helped me believe in my potential and work towards my goals with perseverance. The training and mentorship I received prepared me not just for a job, but to stand on my own feet. Today, as an entrepreneur, I take pride in how far I’ve come, and I owe this transformation to the strong foundation laid at STS.”
As part of Project Vriddhi, Vedanta Sesa Goa promotes education and digital learning through a combination of measures. It bridges the digital divide by setting up Vedanta Computer Centres (VCCs) & Vedanta Computer Labs (VCLs) , under the aegis of the Vedanta Foundation, a total of 26 of these facilities exist across states. This has created a robust ecosystem of technology-driven education which has benefitted > 80,000 youth and students since 2018.Saksham S Dhargadkar, a beneficiary of the computer course, shared, “The training at the Vedanta Computer Centre has helped me build confidence and broadened my outlook towards future opportunities. I now feel more confident to explore office-based roles and continue enhancing my digital skills.”
Complementing this effort, the Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarship Program has empowered over 1,300 young individuals to pursue higher education and unlock new opportunities. 50% scholarships are reserved to promote meritorious students amongst girls. Ms. Leela Parab, resident of Mulgao and recipient of Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarship expressed her thoughts and said, “The Vedanta Utkarsh scholarship enabled me to complete my higher education & move closer to my aspirations. It means building a future where I can support my family and make a positive impact on society.”
These initiatives truly embody the spirit of this year’s theme, “Ignite the self, impact the world,” by equipping youth with the tools and confidence to shape their own future and contribute to India’s progress.As Vedanta Sesa Goa continues to strengthen its efforts in youth development, the company remains aligned with its mission of “Transforming Communities.”
