Visakhapatnam: Republic Day was celebrated by various industries in Vizag city with patriotic fervour and a pledge administered among the employees to increase productivity and ensure cost-effectiveness. Several industries also took the occasion to give awards to senior employees in recognition of their contribution.
CMD of RINL, P. Madhusudan stressed on five Es elevate, expand, enhance, exhibit and ensure which are essential for the success of the company. He said that RINL has made significant strides on all fronts with many new records in 2017. The finished steel production grew by 24 per cent, captive power generation up by 21 per cent, labour productivity by 15 per cent, PCI by 100 per cent, and blast furnace productivity by 7 per cent. Marketing initiatives helped RINL record 18 per cent growth in sales volume.
N.K. Sinha, Group General Manager of NTPC Simhadri, hoisted the national flag at Sadhana Kreeda Maidan. Speaking at the programme he remembered the sacrifices and contributions of freedom fighters and highlighted the history of NTPC. All senior officers and staff were present with family members.
G.S.V.S.S.S. Prasad Sarma, the Executive Director-of HPCL-VR unfurled the National Flag. He said that affordable and reliable energy is crucial to achieve a modern and developed India on par with advanced countries of the world. He laid emphasis on safety standards in refinery operations and mentioned the upcoming projects in Visakh refinery and production of Euro-IV standard petroleum products. He presented service awards to 30 employees.
VPT Chairman M.T. Krishna Babu unfurled the flag and addressed employees. He said that traffic at 12 major ports registered a growth of about 4 per cent as against the corresponding period in the previous year. In the current financial year — April to December, major ports handled 499 MT against 482 MT in the corresponding period last year. He said that Vizag Port is able to grow by achieving an incremental volume of 1.5 MT this financial year. The port has already crossed the 51 MT mark today in spite of challenges and volatile market.
Rajesh Tripathi, chairman and MD, Dredging Corporation of India, said that DCI will be commencing its overseas dredging project at Mongla Port in Bangladesh by month end. Tripathi added that discussions are on with BEXIMCO for a prestigious overseas project at Kutubdia, Bangladesh. If DCI bags the project, then the work order will comprise of one year of capital dredging and nine years of maintenance dredging.
Dr O.R. Nandagopan, outstanding scientist and director, NSTL hoisted the flag and instructed all employees to work with dedication and commitment towards upliftment of the nation.
A parade was held at the Eastern Naval Command’s parade ground at INS Circars. Chief of ENC Vice-Admiral Karambir Singh took the salute and inspected a 50-man armed guard. He reminded men to never let their guard down.
Waltair Division of East Coast Railway also celebrated Republic Day. Mukul Saran Mathur, DRM, unfurled the flag and took the rastriya salami presented by the contingent of Railway Protection Force, cadets of Bharat Scouts and Guides and civil defence personnel at the RPF parade grounds.
