Indian Oil’s women executives visit SL

The ‘Aarohi’ initiative of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) brought the women officials of the entity to Sri Lanka recently to enhance the leadership qualities among the promising women leaders.

The effort aims at all-round development, especially the leadership qualities of an identified group of women at the middle management level, so that the women workforce can ascend into significant leadership roles and contribute to the organisation through performance excellence. 

This year, the batch of Aarohi 4.0, consisting of 14 women officials from IOCL, visited Sri Lanka, with the purpose of understanding the operations of Lanka IOC and interacting with the entire local team, which has been relentlessly pursuing the objective of meeting the energy needs of the island nation.

During the five-day visit, the group travelled across the length and breadth of the country, including a visit to the Trincomalee terminal facilities. At the Trincomalee terminal, the group visited various facilities including lower and upper tanks farms, oil jetty, lube blending and grease manufacturing plant, which also involved fruitful interactions with the terminal employees of LIOC, with visitors displaying plenty of inquisitiveness and enthusiasm. 

The details on some of the strategic steps and way forward towards business excellence were also apprised to the group. An industrial visit was organised at Army School of Logistics (ASL), Clappenburg, Trincomalee, with the kind assistance of Sri Lankan Army, wherein the participants were briefed on the various modalities and importance of logistics in the smooth functioning of national safety and security.

The Aarohi team also visited LIOC’s head office in Colombo and had a lively interaction with all the head office employees. The LIOC employees also gained valuable insight into various new initiatives being undertaken by Indian Oil Corporation in India, specially pertaining to female employees. 

The visitors were highly appreciative of the significant presence of female workforce in the LIOC head office. The vibrant interaction has opened new channel of communication between IOCL and LIOC employees, which is likely to be beneficial for both the organisations with better exchange of ideas and best practices.

The visiting group also had the pleasure of meeting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay, who warmly welcomed the entire group and shared with them the several positive strategic initiatives that Government of India has undertaken and intends to undertake with an aim to strengthen the socio-political relationship between India and Sri Lanka. Baglay also appreciated IOCL’s unique initiative to organise a visit of the women officials to Sri Lanka, which is a sign of further strengthening the mutual admiration between the two countries. 

The Aarohi team was enthralled by the fascinating landscapes unfolding the mesmerising natural beauty of the Island nation as they visited the Tooth Relic temple, Sigiriya Rock, Gangaramaya temple, Lotus Tower and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage apart from several other prominent locations enroute their travel destinations.

The entire team was overwhelmed with their wonderful experience at Sri Lanka, contrary to the apprehensions and expressed their desire to plan another visit along with their family and friends at the earliest opportunity.