The enthusiasm of IFFCO employees as well as the elected Directors knew no bounds when the grand celebrations of IFFCO entering the 50th year of its existence were inaugurated. And the way the directors in particular were being treated at Kalol showed a score of them were actually the chosen few.
They were greeted with clapping as well as waves of cheers as their cavalcade with smiling head-geared people and bright colored open vehicles meandered through the IFFCO plant.
They visited various segments of the factory and learnt how Ammonia is produced. They also visited the bagging segment, cooperative training centre and bio fertilizer centre. Kalol is perhaps one of the oldest and the most modern fertilizer plants in the world. Kalol plant has a zero-effluent discharging unit, said Awasthi.
Earlier, Directors along with Chairman and MD attended the Board meeting in the Administrative building which made Dr Awasthi remark” history is being repeated as this is the place where IFFCO’s first board meeting had taken place 50 years ago.”
In an atmosphere charged with excitement, the Board-meeting which is usually a closed room affair where journalists and photographers are not allowed entry, was thrown open. MD Awasthi said ” let us rededicate this
building to the memory of our first MD Mr Paul Pothen on this glorious occasion.
After discussing the usual business, IFFCO MD exhorted the Board members and elected Directors to involve themselves more and more in the celebrations which is scheduled to go for an year. Big names or political personalities have been not been invited; iIt is our function; it is for farmers; your participation enthuses us, he added.
A presentation on the history of Kalol Unit was also given by the Unit head Mr Shamsher Singh on the occasion. The Board also decided to extend his service till January 2017.
On this occasion IFFCO MD also put the idea of a monetary gift of Rs 5000 to each employee of IFFCO in the Golden Jubilee year which was promptly accepted by the board.
No less lucky were the Board members as Dr Awasthi proposed the idea of increasing their Board fee allowance to Rs 50 thousand from this very Board meeting. Visibly pleased directors wanted something to be done for the MD as well but the MD rejected it jokingly” worry not I am in the the Rs 5000 category.”
