|
|
Second success: Deepika Kumari
|
Crown jewels are being polished to a high sparkle for the Crown Prince.
Founder’s day 2012, which will see Cyrus P. Mistry, chairman-designate of the of the $83-billion Tata Group make his debut visit to Jamshedpur with chairman Ratan N. Tata, promises to be a spectacle for the senses with an environment-friendly heart.
Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Telcon and Jusco have started hectic preparations to welcome the duo, who will reach the city on March 2 and fly out on March 3 after attending a string of tributes on the birth anniversary of the man who started it all way back in colonial India the 19th century.
Mistry, the second non-Tata to be at the helm of the empire, is only 43 years old. Jamsetji Tata, were he alive, would have been 173.
A festive Jubilee Park will be the cynosure of all eyes on March 2 evening, what with revamped fountains with laser lights and music, eco-friendly LED displays, an exhibition of the Tata history and the dazzle of theme lights on some of its most picturesque spots such as the Jayanti Sarovar and the rose garden.
On March 3 morning, Tata and Mistry, with a host of senior officials, will visit the works of Tata Motors, Telcon and Tata Steel to pay homage to the founder with senior executives, past and present, as well as workers to understand the inclusive legacy of the conglomerate.
They will spend a busy and fruitful morning interacting with people, inaugurating landscaped parks at Nildih (six acres, near Tubes Division) and Bistupur (1.5 acres, near the erstwhile food plaza), flagging off colourful pageantry and — if time permits — go to Gopal Maidan to catch some sporting action.
They will also see the colourful floats put up by schools, NGOs and outfits such as the Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
In the crunched space of less than 24 hours, the chairman-to-be can see the living legacy of the founder — corporate inclusiveness, green civic culture, sporting spirit and business bonhomie that goes beyond the Tata name.
“This founder’s day will leave a lasting green legacy for the city, which the visiting duo may appreciate. Eco-friendly LEDs will be in full display at Jubilee Park, Sir Dorabji Park, Bistupur Main Road and Jusco general office,” said a Jusco official.
“Conventional lighting consumed around 5MW, LEDs have cut it down to 1.5MW,” added the official.
Further buttressing this green claim will be the two new landscaped parks at Bistupur and Nildih.
The one in Bistupur will ring the existing bust of JN Tata with ornamental and flowering plants and water cascades. It is from here that chairman Ratan Tata flags off floats on March 3 every year. This year, he’ll get a pleasant surprise.
Tata Motors is also sprucing up its main gate with eight aesthetic mercury vapour lamps, new road markers and freshly painted traffic islands and boundary walls. “Yes, this is our way of according a warm welcome to our chairman and chairman-designate on founder’s day,” said company spokesperson Capt. P.J. Singh.
The SCCI also evinced their anticipation. “We are putting up a float for the first time on founder’s day. We are happy to welcome Cyrus P. Mistry along with Ratan N. Tata to the city,” said Bharat Vasani, SCCI vice-president.
A b’day gift in advance
Golden Girl Deepika Kumari has once again bagged the coveted Sportsperson of the Year award, which will be bestowed upon her on Founder’s Day in Jamshedpur on March 3.
The ace archer from Ranchi’s Ratu Chatti village won a dozen-odd medals in 2011 to edge out her senior Jayanta Talukdar, the only other name under consideration for the award. Of 12 medals won in offshore competitions alone, Deepika won two gold, six silver and four bronze.
She will gift herself this honour from the Tata Steel stable for the second time three months before her 19th birthday on June 14.
However, the Tata Archery Academy cadet, who is currently in South Korea training for the London Olympics, will not be present to receive the award in person. She will return to the steel city only by the end of March.
Head of Tata Steel sports department Captain Amitabh said the selection panel focussed on her consistent performance (in 2011) in national and international levels before taking the decision. Besides the trophy, Deepika will walk home with a cash prize.
|
)
