“Nalco has already got Utkal D and E Coal Blocks from Centre, in the vicinity of its thermal power plant at Angul in Odisha, and the aluminium major will get Pottangi bauxite mines near its Refinery at Damanjodi, having a 70 million tonnes of reserve, soon,” Shri Tomar informed in Bhubaneswar.
Besides, a number of activities and projects have been undertaken by Nalco as part of its corporate social responsibility, which are praiseworthy, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said while making a special mention of ‘Nalco ki Ladli’, a scheme to promote meritorious girl students from BPL families, under Government of India’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme.
Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram and Union Minister State (Independent Charge) of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated Nalco’s CMD Shri Tapan Kumar Chand and his team while appreciating the role being played by Nalco in the overall development process and bringing economic progress in the state. They assured all support to the Navratna PSU from Centre.
Odisha’s steel and mines minister Shri Prafulla Mallik described Nalco as pride of the state and said there should be no move towards disinvestment of the profit-making public sector company.
Among other dignitaries, Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani, MP, Bhubaneswar, Shri Nagendra Kumar Pradhan, MP, Sambalpur and Dr. Udit Raj, MP, North-West Delhi & National Chairman, All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations, also addressed the gathering.
Shri Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD, Nalco, in his welcome address, reiterated that the company is committed towards the development of Odisha and is also working in sync with the national development programmes. Shri Chand 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 Nalco to achievers in different fields added a unique flavour. For the first time, the company instituted Nalco Smiles Award and Nalco Kharavela Awards this year. Nalco Smiles Award was presented to Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Founder of Swabhiman, for her outstanding contributions towards the rehabilitation of differently-abled children. She received a purse of Rs. 1 lakh. Nalco Kharavela Award for Odissi Guru was received by Padma Shri Dr. Ileana Citaristi, for her significant contributions in promoting the dance form in India and abroad. This award also carried a purse of Rs. 1 lakh. The other Nalco Kharavela Award for significant achievements in Odissi, was handed over to Saswat Ranjan Joshi. He received a cash prize of Rs.50,000/-.
Nalco also honoured 17 young talents of Odisha for their extraordinary achievements. Ananya Sritam Nanda (Winner of Indian Idol Junior Title), Rituraj Mohanty (Winner of India’s Raw Star Title), Dutee Chand (Ace Athlete), Saina Salonika (Chess Player), Lalita Prasida Sripada Srisai (Winner of Community Impact Award at Google Science Fair), Jogabyasa Bhoi (Mountaineer), Jamunamani Singh (Asha Worker who was appreciated by PM in Mann ki Baat), Bijay Biswaal (Artist, who was also appreciated by PM in Mann ki Baat), Rajesh Meher & Suraj Meher (Guinness World Record Holders for Largest TV Remote Control), Jitendra Kumar Biswal (Differently-abled Actor of the film The Desire), Sibananda Sethy (Artist, Winner in the World Food Programme Children’s Design Competition), Lipsa Pradhan (Winner of National Innovation Foundation Award), Srikanta Sahu (Topper in National Skill Contest) and folk artistes Bishnu Charan Sasmal, Bikram Kumar Sahoo and Gyana Ranjan Mohanty were felicitated with cash rewards and citations. Noted singer Susmita Das was also felicitated on the occasion, with a scroll of honour and memento for bringing visually challenged children to arc light through song and music.
Shri S.C. Padhy, Director (HR), Nalco, proposed a vote of thanks.