I would not be able to say when Tata Steel would have its first female board member, but I am proud that we have taken many steps that have opened a world of opportunities for women in the company at the executive level as well as the workers' level.

The Tejaswini Programme launched at Tata Steel in 2002 was a small step but a giant leap for womankind for it signaled the beginning of empowering women on the shop floor at jobs considered till then as the bastion of the male. Tejaswini is a success story that has encouraged us to unleash the hitherto untapped potential of our women employees providing them opportunities to take on greater responsibilities.

With globalization and the consequent growth in the aspirations of the women, the Company has been quick to anticipate their emerging needs and provide all facilities and support that would fulfill their professional ambitions and enthuse them to take on assignments that will put them on an equal footing with their male counterpart.

The Tejaswini Programme is the outcome of the belief that equal opportunities of work must exist for women. It is also an extension of some of the sustainability initiatives that the Company has been undertaking for decades through its community outreach activities. The mobilization of rural and tribal women under Self Help Groups to engage in micro enterprises, vocational training and literacy programmes, for them and programmes to improve the health of mother and girl child in and around Jamshedpur and its other operations in Jharkhand and Orissa are some illustrations of the Tata Steel's aim to give women their rightful place in a progressive society.

This book provides a glimpse into the unprecedented journey of a courageous group of women who broke free from a deep rooted 'mindset' to tread on new and unknown path. May their tribe increase and may the Tejaswinis of Tata Steel inspire women in all walks of life to follow in their footsteps.

B Muthuraman
Managing Director, Tata Steel