T h e f u t u r e b e l o n g e d
t o t h o s e w h o d a r e d
t o b e l i e v e
If the seed of this project was sown by
the top leadership of the Company, the project was taken forward by Mr. B N Sarangi, Chief
(HR/IR) Tata Steel. He created a dynamic group and the first person he called upon to join
it was Mrs. Urmila Ekka, Manager (HR/IR). She went on to become the Project Coordinator
and together they have mentored all the Tejaswinis in the Company. With the help of Mr.
Sanjay Kumar, Manager, Equipment Maintenance and Mr. P K Singh, Head Equipment Maintenance
Services, a three month training programme was designed.
In September 2002, a circular inviting applications from female employees within the Steel
Works willing to operate heavy mobile equipment was published. Over 40 employees from the
Works applied. They underwent a rigorous selection procedure, including a written test and
interview.
However, the test was not designed to assess equipment knowhow but to ascertain the level
of will power and the spirit of adventure in them. Only 13 passed on the basis of this
very crucial parameter. |
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Jasumati Patel
Department : Engineering Services - Air Conditioning Plant
Educational Qualification : Standard VIII
Earlier Job : Road cleaning/carrying oil during shutdown in the Merchant Mill
Current Assignment : maintains air-conditioners in the cooling plant
“When I saw the circular for
Tejaswini I applied immediately. I had become a widow at an early age and had to struggle
very hard to make both ends meet. Those day I could not even afford 25 paisa to travel, if
I needed to. Even though I was 39 years old and a grandmother, I was determined to learn a
new skill, which would change my fate as it had done for the girls in the first batch. Now
I am a junior technician and independently handle jobs even when my senior is not
there.”
Babita Kumari
Department : Engineering Services Building Inspection Maintenance
Educational Qualification : Intermediate
Earlier job : sweeping and cleaning in Blast Furnace Offices.
Current Assignment : drives a tractor - trailer with capacities ranging from 3 to 10
tonnes.
The change I have seen in my life is unimaginable. My father was a
cleaning supervisor, while I am an Operator - an even more respectable position than him -
my pay scale has seen a dramatic jump and I am addressed as “driver sahiba”.
Earlier when a meeting would start I would serve the tea, today I am the first to be
served tea.” |
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