The celebrations assumed special significance as the nation is commemorating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the National Song. The song was sung on the occasion with patriotic fervour, adding to the spirit of the celebrations.Following the flag hoisting, the CMD took the salute and inspected the ceremonial parade comprising platoons of ECL Security and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Addressing the gathering, Jha paid tribute to the freedom fighters whose sacrifices led to India’s independence and highlighted ECL’s role in strengthening the country’s energy security and contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

He said the company’s growth should extend beyond coal production and encompass operational excellence, quality, safety, technological innovation, environmental responsibility, transparency and the welfare of employees and communities.

The CMD called upon Team ECL to continue working with discipline, innovation and unity and contribute towards strengthening India’s energy security and industrial development.

Among those present on the occasion were Director (Finance) Shri Md. Anzar Alam; Director (HR) Shri Gunjan Kumar Sinha; Director (Technical/P&P) Shri Girish Gopinathan Nair; Director (Technical/Operations) Shri Chitranjan Kumar; Chief Vigilance Officer, ECL, Smt. Deepti Patel; and President, Shatakshi Mahila Mandal, Smt. Kiran Jha, along with Vice-Presidents Smt. Anubha Sinha, Smt. Geetha Radhamani and Smt. Shweta Kumari.

Representatives of trade unions, heads of departments, employees and contractual workers from various units of ECL also attended the celebrations.

The programme concluded with the felicitation of members of the ECL Mines Rescue Team. Smt. Kiran Jha, president, Satakshi Mahila Mandal, presented certificates of appreciation and mementoes to members of the team who had participated in rescue operations following the disaster at the under-construction Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Power Project in Sikkim.

The team’s technical expertise, rapid response, and seamless coordination with multiple agencies significantly strengthened the ongoing rescue mission, contributing to the successful rescue of over 25 workers through well-coordinated operations.

On the directions of Shri Satish Jha, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, ECL, the rescue team proceeded with specialised rescue equipment after receiving the request from NHPC and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The team travelled via Panagarh Air Base to Bagdogra by Indian Air Force aircraft and thereafter proceeded by road to the affected site in Namchi district.

Team ECL stands in solidarity with all those affected and remains committed to supporting the ongoing rescue operation.

Addressing the newly inducted executives from various technical and non-technical disciplines, Shri Satish Jha congratulated them on joining the Coal India family and welcomed them to ECL, describing their posting as a unique opportunity to gain invaluable professional experience in one of the country’s most diverse mining environments.

“Your journey with Coal India begins at a company with a rich legacy and a distinguished place in the nation’s coal mining history. ECL is home to some of the oldest and deepest coal mines in the country and produces country’s finest quality coal. Working here will expose you to diverse operational and managerial challenges that will shape your professional capabilities and prepare you to become future leaders of the organisation,” he said.

Encouraging the young officers to remain committed to learning, innovation and continuous self-development, the CMD urged them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, discipline and professionalism while contributing to ECL’s continued growth and the nation’s energy security. He expressed confidence that the exposure and experience gained at ECL would provide them with a strong foundation for leadership and decision-making throughout their careers.

The inaugural session also featured an inspiring address by Shri Devamira Das, the Chief Speaker, who shared his experiences and insights with the participants, motivating them to pursue excellence with dedication, curiosity and a spirit of continuous learning.

The inaugural session was chaired by Shri Gunjan Sinha, Director (HR), ECL, who encouraged the Management Trainees to imbibe ECL’s core organisational values and strive for excellence in every responsibility entrusted to them. He highlighted the importance of teamwork, ethical conduct and continuous skill development in building successful professional careers.

Shri Girish Gopinathan Nair, Director (Technical), ECL, also addressed the gathering and shared his professional experiences with the young, encouraging them to adopt a practical approach to problem-solving and operational excellence. The enthusiastic trainees actively participated in the interactive sessions and shared their ideas on innovation, operational improvement and value addition to the company’s functioning.

Designed as a comprehensive induction programme, ‘Ankuran 2.0’ aims to familiarise newly recruited Management Trainees and Departmental Promoted Executives with ECL’s organisational culture, business operations, safety practices and leadership values. The initiative reflects ECL’s unwavering commitment to nurturing young talent and developing the next generation of leaders who will contribute to the sustainable growth of the company and the nation’s energy sector.

The visit marked an important occasion for reviewing the company’s operational achievements, ongoing initiatives, and strategic roadmap for future growth. Discussions were held on key aspects relating to production, dispatch, mine safety, operational efficiency, and sustainable development initiatives undertaken by ECL.

As part of the programme, the Hon’ble Minister visited the Kunustoria Area of ECL, where he was welcomed by Shri Satish Jha, CMD, ECL in the presence of Md. Anzar Alam, Director (Finance), Shri Gunjan Kumar Sinha, Director (HR), Shri Girish Gopinathan Nair, Director (Technical), senior executives, General Managers, and Heads of Departments. A ceremonial Guard of Honour was presented to the Hon’ble Minister during the visit.

During the review meeting, Shri Dubey emphasized the need for balancing coal production with environmental responsibility and encouraged the adoption of modern, sustainable, and eco-conscious mining practices. He highlighted the importance of technological advancement, efficient resource utilization, and continuous improvement in safety standards to strengthen ECL’s operational capabilities.

Hon’ble Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Government of India, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey appreciated the efforts of Eastern Coalfields Limited and congratulated Team ECL for its commendable performance during the financial year 2025–26 despite several operational and external challenges. He particularly acknowledged the company’s progressive initiatives in Underground Coal Gasification for effective utilization of coal at greater depth, scientific mine closure activities for repurposing of mined out land,  implementation of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects for minimizing air pollution and faster transportation of coal, expansion of solar energy installations etc. He further advised that systematic and periodic stock verification measures need to be adopted for ensuring accuracy of declared coal stock.

Referring to the prevailing crisis in global scenario due to war in west asia and emerging energy challenges worldwide, the Hon’ble Minister emphasized the crucial role of ECL in strengthening the nation’s energy security and maintaining operational resilience while maintaining optimum utilization of resources. He expressed confidence that ECL would achieve even greater milestones and attain a more advanced status of implementation of all activities across all operational and developmental parameters before his next visit.

The Hon’ble Minister also directed that all issues that need intervention from the ministry of coal (related to different authorities in centre/ state) and developmental matters to be submitted in a consolidated and structured manner so that necessary follow-up actions could be pursued effectively by the ministry of coal in coordination with both the State and Central Governments.

The Hon’ble Minister also shared valuable policy guidance and strategic inputs aimed at enhancing productivity and supporting the long-term growth of the company. Reiterating the Government’s commitment towards strengthening India’s energy security, he expressed appreciation for the dedication and collective efforts of Team ECL.

Recognizing ECL as one of the oldest and prominent subsidiaries of Coal India Limited, Shri Dubey conveyed confidence in the company’s future prospects and appreciated its continued contribution towards meeting the nation’s coal and energy requirements.