As one of the makers of modern Odisha, Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das had paved the path of progress in the State. At the same time, his brave attempts as a quality-conscious entrepreneur are exemplary even today. In fact, Madhunabu was the harbinger of quality movement in Odisha,” said Nalco CMD Dr Tapan Kumar Chandon Thursday.
He was addressing the concluding ceremony of the 21st edition of the All Odisha Quality Circle Convention organised by the Nalco.
Dr Chand announced institution of a ‘Nalco Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das Quality Award’. The award, carrying a purse of Rs 1 lakh and a citation will be conferred on an industrial set-up having outstanding quality practices in the next edition of the convention.
Citing the example of Madhubabu’s Utkal Tannery, established in 1905, Dr Chand said, “While Madhubabu was very much keen towards the industrial advancement of Odisha, his brainchild Utkal Tannery was an epitome of manufacturing excellence and quality. There were instances when he rejected the leather goods produced in the tannery having minor defects. In the process, he had suffered huge losses.” In the competition, the Gold Plaque was bagged by Quality Circle ‘Discovery’ of Alumina Refinery, NAlCO, while Quality Circle ‘Sea Hawk’ of Rourkela Steel Plant emerged as the Runners-up and won the Silver Plaque. Amongst TPM Circles, ‘lRP SEC-02’ of Tata Steel, Joda bagged the Gold Plaque, while ‘Quantum’ of JK Paper was Runners-up and won the Silver Plaque.