The walkathon organised by HEC in Ranchi on Saturday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Nov. 15: It was a day of quiet resolve for Heavy Engineering Corporation(HEC) in Ranchi, as its chairman and managing director R. Misra led a walkathon to observe the PSU’s 56th foundation day.

The 500-strong contingent included officers, supervisors, workers, school children and CISF personnel who marched 3.5km to the tune of a band accompanying them.

“HEC builds machines that build the nation,” read a placard brandished during the rally that was flagged off at 7am from HEC grounds at Sector II. It culminated at Nehru Park after passing through Friendship Avenue at Sector III, where floral tributes were paid to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first Prime Minister, who on this day in 1958 dedicated the organisation to the nation, dubbing it the “mother of all industries.”

Misra congratulated the HEC team for successfully tiding over the turbulent times the organisation had gone through and appealed to all to contribute towards raising output and meeting targets.

“This will shape the future of the organisation,” he said.

This year 2014 was difficult for HEC. On February 11, the Union ministry of heavy industries placed Misra under suspension for failing to meet annual production and sales targets. However, he was reinstated with full honours on November 6.

events so that the corporation could reach new and commanding heights. The need of the hour is to develop stronger in house capabilities to safeguard the interests of all,”Misra told the gathering..

As a prominent national player, the Corporation would be called upon to play an increasingly significant role in strategic sectors in the days to come, HEC CMD added.

The corporation already faces an acute cash crunch with the additional burden of outdated plant and machinery at all its three plants.

HECÂ has submitted a proposal of Rs.900 crore to the union heavy industries ministry,in September this year, to modernise all its three plants of foundry forge plant, heavy machines building plant and heavy machines tools plant to help it revive its fortunes.