NCL moments
8th March 2019
Place: NCL HQ
While people worldwide were celebrating Women’s Day on 8th March 2019, back here in Singrauli, a fascinating set of events were unfolding at NCL Headquarters. Apparently, the Headquarters had never seen systemic observance of Women’s Day officially. But this year, Shri.P.K.Sinha- the Chairman & Managing Director of NCL sculpted a new history. A new vision witnessed fruition. A new trend was set.
On March 8th 2019, unaware of endowments of the day, women employees of NCL HQ got calls from Welfare Department. They were directed to gather at CMD Conference Hall. The CMD NCL was to address them on the occasion of Women’s Day. Women were elated and surprised.
Clock struck 4 in the evening. All gathered outside CMD Conference Hall. The women, the guests of the day, hesitated to enter the hall. Many had never seen that door- The door leading to CMD Conference Hall. Hail organizers, guests were supported, greeted and directed to their respective seats. For many, sitting in CMD conference hall was the first ever in their entire service length by far.
After a while, arrival of CMD NCL Shri P.K.Sinha was announced. He entered. Wished a Happy Women’s Day to all. Programme began. Many departmental heads of NCL were also present.
CMD NCL Shri Sinha encouraged women guests to speak. Many were hesitant. But Shri Sinha encouraged them. Motivated them to express their thoughts. With 1st person of the organization himself coming fore to promote one and all, the shyness evaporated soon. Many women gradually started sliding their mikes closer. Now, the mike was a bespoke one. And women started speaking. Some spoke about work. Some about personal lives. Some about random issues.
Non-restrictive environs created by right communication coming from the top-most chair of the organization paved way for candid confessions.
One such confession came from from Smt. Indubala who is a sportsperson working as an Office Superintendent (OS) at NCL HQ — “Sir, aap daudney ko bolenge to ham 10 kilometre acchhe se daud lenge. Bolna bohot difficult hai. ” (Sir, if you ask me to run, I will run good 10 kilometres. But speaking is very difficult.) – Relatable enough.
Not many can speak and engage to listeners. But NCL is fortunate to have someone at helm who inspires through his communication. CMD NCL Shri Sinha champions it. With his unique style of communicating, he motivates and drives people to action.
“What an absolute discredit would it be if a company which is growing from all quarters doesn’t take time to appreciate the contribution of its women workforce?”– The way Shri Sinha started left the house mighty enthralled. And this was just the beginning.
Shri Sinha then talked at length about contribution of women, the ones at office and also the ones at home, in success story of the company. Addressing women workforce as ‘womanpower’, he welcomed government’s policy change and said gone are the days of gender-based limited work admissibility in mines. He also cited examples of women Drill Operators deployed in coal producing areas of the company drilling past Earth to strike the valuable coal.
In the midst of his address, Shri Sinha did something which instantly resonated with the house. While speaking on element of sensitivities women add to their expression, he cited a message received from his daughter. CMD NCL Shri Sinha gradually lifted his phone and read,
“Today is the day. Today is the time.
Time to pat the back of female colleagues coming across you,
Time to say thank you, time to appreciate their littlest thing…….”
The message went on.
The message from her daughter.
Those words, that moment—filled the house with energy unimagined. Energy inexpressible.
Every single word resonated immensely with the listeners. The house clapped and clapped. Everyone present in the house thanked CMD NCL for the wonderful, for the soulful initiative of observing the day.
And lastly, the programme which was to end with CMD NCL distributing pen to all women employees as symbol of expression saw a captivating culmination. Just when the announcement for pen distribution was made, Shri Sinha stunned the house when he left his seat, strode all the way along the round table and reached out to every attendee to gift the pen. The house clapped in awe at this exemplary act of humility.
To say 8th March 2019 was historic day for NCL will not be an overstatement. The day went beyond celebrations. It made women employees of NCL feel a certain way. Be it Smt. Palani- the peon, Smt. Raani- the cleaner or Smt. Geeta- the nurse; the day provided high visibility moment to the unknown, underrepresented, unseen and unheard.
On 8th March 2019…
At NCL HQ…
An old adage was brought to life…
‘When one is seen and appreciated in their essence, one is instantly empowered.’
On 8th March 2019…
At NCL HQ…
Shri.P.K.Sinha, CMD NCL sculpted a new history.
A new vision witnessed fruition.
A new trend was set.
I can relate. Been in public sector for 20 years now. To start off new things is very very difficult. NCL is lucky to have such visionary leadership
Having observed coal sector from close quarters, I know him. Also met him in a PC convened by Ministry. He is brilliant at forging one-to-one camaraderie.
Very fresh approach to begin with. Beginning is the most challenging part. Take a bow CMD NCL