Bilaspur,26 January 2025.South Eastern Coalfields Limited (South Eastern Coalfields Limited – SECL) celebrated the 77th Republic Day with great patriotic fervour at the Vasant Vihar Ground, SECL Headquarters, Bilaspur.
The ceremony was graced by the Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Shri Harish Duhan, who unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of the ceremonial parade.
During the parade inspection, the CMD reviewed the main parade led by Senior Security Inspector Shri D.P. Diwakar, Parade Commander, along with Security Inspector Shri Zakir Hussain. The inspection was conducted in the presence of SECL Chief of Security, Shri V. Dakshinamurthy.
The parade comprised two platoons from the SECL Security Department, led by Shri Chamru and Shri Prakash Dwivedi. In addition, student platoons from DAV School participated with distinction—Platoon No. 3 led by Lance Corporal Aarush Yadav, Platoon No. 4 by Sergeant Shriya Singh, Platoon No. 5 by Sergeant Jigyasa Thakur, and Platoon No. 6 by Corporal Abhijit Bhandari. The Band Platoon was led by Subedar Major Beni Prasad.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of SECL’s Functional Directors and senior officials, including Shri N. Franklin Jayakumar, Director (Technical–Operations); Shri Biranchi Das, Director (Human Resources); Shri D. Sunil Kumar, Director (Finance); Shri Himanshu Jain, Chief Vigilance Officer; and Shri Ramesh Chandra Mohapatra, Director (Technical–Projects & Planning).
Representatives of the SECL Steering Committee, trade unions, members of the SECL Safety Committee, Welfare Board and CISTEA/OBC/Council were also present on the occasion.
The programme was further graced by Special Guest Smt. Yashwanti Duhan, mother of the CMD; Smt. Shashi Duhan, President, Shraddha Mahila Mandal; along with Smt. Ipshita Das, Smt. Vinita Jain and Smt. Shubhashree Mahapatra. Heads of Departments, representatives of workers’ unions, officers, employees, a large number of school students and other distinguished guests also attended the celebration.
Addressing the gathering, CMD Shri Harish Duhan stated that SECL plays a pivotal role in ensuring India’s energy security and remains firmly committed to sustainable development, environmental protection and social responsibility. He appreciated the dedication, discipline and collective efforts of SECL employees and called upon them to continue contributing actively to nation-building.
On the occasion, the dignitaries released SECL’s in-house hindi magazine “Koyla Ratna”.
The celebration featured vibrant thematic tableaux presented by various SECL operational areas, effectively showcasing messages related to energy security, green initiatives, innovation and social responsibility. Cultural performances by students of DAV Public School, Dreamland School, KPS and Holy Nursery School, including patriotic songs and dances, added colour and enthusiasm to the event.
During the ceremony, awards were presented by the CMD and the President, Shraddha Mahila Mandal, to personnel and participants for excellence in parade performance, acts of bravery and valour in the line of duty, innovation, outstanding motherhood, achievements in education and best tableaux. In the tableau competition, Bhatgaon Area secured the First Prize, Hasdeo Area the Second Prize, and Gevra Area the Third Prize, while CWS Gevra Area and Dipka Area received Consolation Prizes.
