Over 7,000 Rural Women Pledge Empowerment at Hindustan Zinc’s ‘Sakhi Utsav 2025’
Udaipur, Rajasthan, April 19, 2025 Hindustan Zinc Limited, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, celebrated the spirit of rural empowerment with the grand success of ‘Sakhi Utsav 2025’, an initiative that brought together over 7,000 women from rural and tribal communities across Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Held across five districts—Udaipur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, and Rudrapur (Uttarakhand)—this annual event is a hallmark of Hindustan Zinc’s flagship community development program, Sakhi, aimed at enabling women through livelihood, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.
A Celebration of Grassroots Transformation
Sakhi Utsav served as a vibrant platform to celebrate the contributions of women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), showcasing their local crafts, processed foods, and handmade garments. The culminating event, Sakhi Mahotsav 2025, held in Zinc City, Udaipur, highlighted Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage from a women-centric perspective. Visitors experienced live skill demonstrations, storytelling zones, financial literacy sessions, and youth-led awareness campaigns.
Key dignitaries, including Hindustan Zinc CEO Arun Misra, participated in the celebrations. “Sakhi women are not just community leaders; they are transformative forces reshaping rural India,” Misra said. “Their entrepreneurial spirit and resilience form the backbone of inclusive growth. At Hindustan Zinc, we firmly believe that empowering women is the key to building self-reliant communities.”
Cultural Programs and Interactive Learning
From traditional folk performances to engaging street plays on gender equality and social norms, the events fostered awareness and inclusivity. Fun competitions like tug of war and musical chairs added joy to the festivities, while interactive quizzes on government schemes and SHG awareness encouraged knowledge sharing.
The skill display areas featured products crafted by Sakhi members, including spices, pickles, and handicrafts, demonstrating their entrepreneurial success. These products not only reflect self-reliance but also open new income-generating avenues for women in rural areas.
A Movement for Social and Economic Change
With over 2,000 Self-Help Groups under the Sakhi umbrella, the initiative has touched the lives of over 25,000 women, creating financial linkages and boosting micro-enterprise opportunities. What began as a rural development initiative has now evolved into a social movement promoting self-sufficiency and gender equity.
Beyond women’s empowerment, Hindustan Zinc continues to drive quality education, sustainable livelihoods, healthcare access, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation, impacting over 20 million lives in 4,000+ villages. Recognized among India’s top 10 CSR companies, Hindustan Zinc’s mission reflects a commitment to inclusion, innovation, and sustainability—paving the way for a stronger, self-reliant India.
