Despite the vagaries of international market, the Nalco’s consistent performance, both in terms of productivity and profitability, is commendable.” said Union Mines Ministry Secretary Balvinder Kumar on Saturday.
Addressing the 37th foundation day celebrations of the company here, he lauded its growth in production and increase in share price, which, he said, greatly enhanced the stakeholder value.
“Nalco’s efforts towards encouraging and promoting art, culture and sports of Odisha through various awards are also laudable. I congratulate the CMD of the company and his team for this endeavour,” said Kumar.
Nalco CMD Dr Tapan Kumar Chand, in his welcome address, reiterated that the company is committed to development of Odisha and is also working in sync with the national development programmes. He highlighted the Nalco’s corporate journey since its inception and presented the new business model under implementation.
“In 2016, Nalco has posted a strong growth of 18% in bauxite mining, the highest since inception and a record in the mining industry. During the financial year 2016-17, Nalco will surpass its production capacity of 68.25 lakh tonne and achieve 73.25 lakh tonne production,” Dr Chand informed.
“In stock market, Nalco share price has registered an increase of 68% from Rs 40.20 in the beginning of the year 2016 to Rs 67.60 as on date,” he added. He also said that the company, along with its efforts to achieve excellence in business, is focusing on the welfare of its stakeholders.
A host of awards presented by the Nalco to achievers in different fields added a unique flavour. Nalco Smiles Award was presented to Bhagirathi Panda, secretary of Institute for Helping the Disabled, for his outstanding contributions towards rehabilitation of differently-abled persons. Nalco Kharavela Award for Odishi Guru was received by Prof Naba Kishore Mishra for his significant contributions in promoting the dance form in India and abroad. The other Nalco Kharavela Awards for significant achievements in Odishi were handed over to Kshyanaprava Parida, Suhag Nalini Das and Nityananda Das. Nalco Kalidas Award was handed over to Prof Radhamadhab Dash, Vice-Chancellor of Shri Jagannath Sanskrit Vishwavidlaya, Puri, for his significant contributions in the field of teaching and propagating Sanskrit.
The Nalco also honoured other achievers of Odisha for their contributions in different fields. literary personalities Ramakanta Rath, Pratibha Satapathy and Binapani Mohanty received Nalco literary Award.
Nalco Startup Award was given away to Milk Mantra MD Srikumar Mishra. Nalco Fine Arts Awards were handed over to the BK College of Art & Crafts and sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo. Nalco Sports Awards were received by chess player Debasis Das, athlete Amiya Mallick and scuba diver Sabir Bux.
An MoU between the Nalco and the Utkal University was signed to collaborate on some specific areas, viz., R&D projects, baseline and impact assessment survey for CSR projects and industry-institution interaction where the university would be a of key institutions, extend internship and vocational training to students of the university and extend its support in skill development training programmes for underprivileged people of Odisha. The MoU was signed by university Vice-Chancellor Dr Ashok Kumar Das and Nalco Director (HR) BK Thakur.
A Nalco postage stamp was released by Balvinder Kumar and Dr Chand. The first issue of a quarterly magazine of the Nalco Mahila Samiti ‘Sanginee’ was also released by Kumar, Dr Chand and Samiti president Preeti Roy.