“Break the glass ceiling and don’t clean the debris, so that people walking over it will realize your achievements ,” exhorted Mr. Alok Verma, Director In-Charge (Rourkela Steel Plant) with the additional charge of Durgapur Steel Plant and IISCO Steel Plant, while interacting with about 50 women executives of RSP at the Mathan conference hall. The occasion was the valedictory session of the 2-day workshop on the theme of ‘Leadership roles are for women’ that was held on 3rd and 4th July 2025.
Present on the occasion were Mr. Tarun Misra, ED(HR), Mr. B R Palai, ED (Works), Mr. Anil Kumar, ED (MM), Mr. M P Singh, ED(Mines) and Ms. Kavitha Ramakrishnappa, the faculty of the programme.
In his address Mr. Verma urged participants to break free from mundane routines and take meaningful steps for their own growth and for the betterment of society. Highlighting the need to “get up and start moving,” he encouraged them to talk, discuss, and collaboratively find solutions to challenges they face. He also mentioned that all the Blast Furnaces of RSP are named after Goddesses already representing and acknowledging feminine power and strength.
All the Executive Directors also appreciated the efforts of female executives in RSP and mentioned that women are leaders by birth. They just need to grab the right opportunity and education to establish them as the leaders at the workplace.
All the participants shared their experiences and learning from the workshop. At the outset, Mr. P K Sahoo, CGM (HR-L&D) welcomed the gathering. Ms Binita Tirkey, Senior Manager (L&D) coordinated the function.
During the two-day session, Ms. Kavitha explored various dimensions of leadership, such as awakening inner strengths, stepping beyond comfort zones to embrace leadership roles, influencing others, negotiating with a gender perspective, and understanding the difference between assertiveness and aggressiveness. Through engaging anecdotes, interactive activities, and role plays, she encouraged women to pursue leadership with passion, while embodying the values of Credibility, Reliability, Empathy, and Decisiveness.
