Jamshedpur, March 9: Did you know Tata Steel was the first corporate house in the country to ensure eight hours working day for its employees? Or, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation spends more than Rs 10 crores every year in promotion of sports? If the answer is no, then an exhibition on the contributions made by corporate houses in the field of social welfare and sports should be your destination.

The exhibition, organised at Beldih Club as a part of the Global Compact Regional Conclave, has grabbed the attention of participants as some unknown facts about corporate houses have come to light.

?One of the unique features of the conclave was the exhibition, which highlighted a more humane side of the corporate houses,? said Pankaj Mehra, an official of the public relation department of Bharat Heavy Engineering Limited.

Companies like Tata Steel, Bharat Heavy Engineering Limited, Hindustan Lever, ONGC, Tinplate Company India Limited put up attractive stalls to showcase their achievements.

Tata Steel displayed its contribution through colourful reader-friendly charts. The number of firsts credited to its name took visitors by surprise. The steel major is credited to be the first company in the country to ensure eight hours working day for its employees in 1912. In 1948, the Indian government enacted the provision into a law under the Factories Act. In 1915, the company provided free medical aid to its employees. In 1948, the government enacted a law on similar lines under the Employees? State Insurance Act.

Similarly, to counter the water crisis in Tamil Nadu, Hindustan Lever launched its Surf Excel?s quick-wash detergent that removed dirt with minimum water. The company also contributed Rs 8 crore for tsunami victims.

The ONGC stall informed that the government agency is the most environment-friendly company on the basis of the AC Nielsen ORG MARG survey.