To institutionalise celebration of the enduring spirit and strength of women, Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), the highest profit making unit of the public sector Steel Authority of India ltd. (SAIl) organised a mega event ‘Shakti 2014’ to mark Women’s Day celebrations in Chhattisgarh’s industrial town Bhilai.
Nearly 200 women participated in Shakti 2014. Besides, members of BSP, they included members of Bhilai Mahila Samaj, delegates from PSUs like RINl, NSPCl, and also professors, lecturers from schools and colleges of Bhilai and Durg, delegates from sister SAIl units–RDCIS, CET, DSP, RSP, BSl, ISP Burnpur, VISl, RMD, and CMO.
The daylong seminar was packed with a variety of sessions which kept the participants enthral throughout. S Chandrasekaran, Chief Executive Officer of the BSP in his welcome address, referred to the United Nations’ theme “Equality for Women is progress for all” for International Women’s Day. He said, the theme reflects the need for a proper representation of women in all spheres, and calls for respecting her traditional role and not prejudicing it for assessing her skills and attitude in delivering on professional roles.
He further stated that apart from fulfilling all the statutory requirements, BSP has taken special initiatives like conducting periodic medical check-ups and organising workshops on counselling and stress management specifically for the women employees. The concerns of women contractual employees are also addressed through workshops like “Naye Chetna” wherein they are given information about their basic rights and privileges.
Beyond this, wives of the employees are given a guided plant tour under “Aap Bhi Janiye”, thereby giving them a firsthand glimpse of their husband’s workplace SAIl Director, Dr Isher Judge Ahluwalia, who is also Chairperson, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) inaugurated the function by ceremonial lighting of the lamp. She was the keynote speaker of the event.
In her address to the gathering, Dr Ahluwalia shared her experiences from her work-life and urged participants to strike a balance between their professional career and social and domestic duties. In doing so, women can play a significant role in nation building, she said.
This was followed by an interaction with the participants. She also released a brochure on the occasion which consisted of various articles related to women in BSP and a report of Shakti 2013. All the participants expressed their deep appreciation on their interaction with Dr. Ahluwalia.An interactive session with R.Shangeetha, IAS, Collector, Mahasamund district was organised in the afternoon, wherein she shared stories from her life, that were marked with grit and determination.
R. Shangeetha also gave valuable insights to the participants on how to inculcate team spirit among colleagues at the work place and the importance of having self- belief and confidence in tackling the most difficult situations. All the participants were greatly impressed by the speaker’s eloquence and by her firm commitment to be guided by values in all aspects of life.