Ranchi, Nov. 1: The overwhelming success of Coal India Limited’s first ever initial public offering (IPO) added that extra zing to its 36th foundation day celebrations today, which also happens to be the foundation days of its subsidiary companies — Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI).

On November 1, 1975, Coal India Limited was founded along with five subsidiaries — Central Coalfields Limited, Bharat Coking Coal Limited, Eastern Coalfields, Western Coalfields and Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited.

Later more subsidiary companies like Northern Coalfields Limited, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited and South Eastern Coalfields Limited were created by carving out territories from the original five.

Befittingly, the chosen theme for this year’s foundation day celebrations was: marching towards glory.

The IPO success figured prominently in speeches both at CCL and CMPDI headquarters.

At the CMPDI headquarters, director (technical) S.K. Mitra urged the employees to keep up the good work following the IPO’s success.

Chief guest at the CCL function, director (technical/operations) T.K. Nag, said the company had joined a select club of PSUs. “Once it had been referred to the Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction after recording huge losses, but has now been crowned as a Miniratna category-I company,” he said.

The CCL headquarters at Darbhanga House was lit up on the occasion and employees wore white caps to commemorate the day which began with floral tributes to coal miners who had laid down their lives in course of duty.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, senior CCL executives visited the old age home at Bariatu, Cheshire Home, Brajkishore Netraheen Balika Vidyalaya, Gurunanak Home for Handicapped Persons, Nivedita Old Age Home, Prakash Kunj and the school for the deaf and mute at Nibaranpur with sweets and fruits.

A painting competition on the theme of empowering India was organised for schoolchildren at Gandhinagar Recreation Hall in which around 225 students from DAV Gandhinagar, DAV Hehal, DAV Kapildeo, Sapphire International School and some other schools participated.