Rose Petals and Palaces – A Royal Experience

The mid-point of the family journey to India proved to be a glorious high point – a dreamlike experience that stirred the senses and calmed the soul.

On February 6th the families flew to Udaipur, a Hindu City in Rajasthan – a state of kings. Prior to India’s independence in 1947, Rajasthan was ruled by 22 families – the Maharanas (Hindu) and the Moguls (Muslim) of the Indian empire. The city of Udaipur was founded by King Udai Singh, a great warrior whose dynasty was the only Rajasthan entity never to be controlled by a foreign power; retaining independence even under the British rule.

Upon arrival in Udaipur, the families were shuttled to a lakeside jetty where they were greeted with warm hand towels, cool beverages and a boat to ferry them across the calm waters of Lake Pichola to the opulent splendor of their hotel – the Taj Lake Palace. A white marble and mosaic palace spread across a four-acre island, this summer home was built in 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh И, the 62nd successor to the royal Mewar dynasty. The Palace offers all contemporary comforts against a regal backdrop of sculptures, fountains, gardens and pristine views. Our weary travelers alighted from their shuttle to a shower of rose petals and the dignified and doting hospitality of the Royal Butlers –descendents of the original palace retainers.

While in Udaipur, the families explored the City Palace and the colourful bazaars at the heart of the city, including an educational demonstration on the famous Udaipur art of Pichwai painting. During their last night in this majestic city, the families dined aboard a Gangaui, an antique ceremonial imperial barge. From this unique floating vantage point, they were treated to a traditional dance performance on the balcony of the City Palace and a personal fireworks display – an evening truly befitting of royalty and reserved for our Essarites.

A Handshake Trumps E-mail Every Time

Feb. 4 & 5, 2010, Hazira, Gujurat – The visit to Hazira offered a refreshing respite from big city life in India and for the Essar Steel Algoma employees, it would prove to be a professional highlight. The opportunity to visit a sister mill and meet with counterparts from across the globe is a rare experience, promoting a valuable exchange of ideas and best practices.

Essar Steel Hazira is located in Gujarat state in the town of Hazira, just a short drive from the bustling metropolis of Surat. Hazira is currently in the midst of a massive expansion which will augment the current production level of 6 million tons by another 5 million tons per annum.

In support of their Hazira operations, Essar has built a complete township around the steelworks, power and port facility. The township itself is entirely ISO certified, offering all necessary utilities and services, a school, an equestrian club, restaurants, a fitness centre and accommodations for employees and their families. Our families stayed at the Essar Coil Club - a full service guest house.

For the children (and a few young-at-heart adults) a visit to the equestrian club offered a fun and unusual encounter. Here, impeccable stalls and grounds are home to a stable of fine horses, dairy cattle, goats, turkeys, a canine unit and the star performers – camels. Camel rides were arranged, and apart from the ungainly assents and descents and the comical groans from our trusty, albeit testy steed, all riders chalked the experience up as one of the more memorable moments in their India adventure.

Upon arrival, all guests enjoyed a tour of the steelworks and the next day, while Algoma employees spent time in the mill with their counterparts, the spouses and children were treated to a riveting dance performance by the Rachna (creation) Essar Ladies Club. They also enjoyed a tour of the township school which boasts an enrollment of 1200 Essar children from kindergarten to 12th standard. A talented mehendi** artist was brought in to adorn the women with this beautiful customary embellishment and beautiful, hand-crafted gifts were kindly showered on the members of the group. Overall, the afternoon was an engaging and insightful glimpse into the culture and lifestyle enjoyed by Essar Hazira families, setting the stage for the Sangam festivities slated for that evening.

The Sangam Family Day festivities began at dusk. Over 8000 guests gathered under the night sky with company founders, Shri Shashi and Ravi Ruia for a spectacular display of Essar talent and celebration. The Essar Algoma families, resplendent in their new traditional Indian attire, were invited on stage for formal introductions. From here they witnessed the prize draw for five Essar Hazira employees, who, along with their families will be hosted by Essar Algoma on a cultural and professional exchange to Canada in the coming year.

The Sangam event was superb and served as a fitting close to the group’s time in Hazira. In the morning, they would depart for Udaipur, a city of palaces and lakes where the families would indulge in a truly royal experience.

Employee Reflections - What stood out most from your visit to Hazira?

“The 5 million ton expansion project including a plate and strip mill, a blast furnace, coke ovens, and a Direct Reduced Iron plant – all under construction at once. The pride expressed by all of the employees involved and of course, the exceptional hospitality at the plant, the Coil Club, everywhere. We were treated as honoured guests.” – Ritch Kendrick

“I was impressed by how clean the plant was and how well organized the mill appeared to be.” - John Vernelli

“They took us under their wing and showed us so much – such wonderful hospitality. The mill tour was quite informative – the mill is very, very clean. I also enjoyed the Sangam – it was very professionally done.” – Dodie Masse

“I really enjoyed my one on one with my counterpart. They are doing basically the same job as me; they face the same obstacles and are applying similar methods to overcome the challenges. It was a pleasant surprise when Mr. Shashi Ruia came and sat with us on the sofas at the Sangam. I really enjoyed our chat.” - Chris Hodkinson

** Mehendi is a traditional art of adornment through the application of intricate designs on the hands and feet. Mehendi leaves are crushed and blended with eucalyptus oil, then applied to the skin with a very fine confectionary-like tube.

Four days immersed in India and the adventure continues...

Feb. 3, 2010 - India is a nation of contrast and day two in Mumbai exemplified this reality with a large dose of culture – both modern and traditional. In the morning, the families boarded a bus to Film City for a glimpse of India’s Bollywood industry. Over 300 Hindi films are produced here annually, many to international acclaim. From the glamour of the movie sets and shoots the group transitioned to the streets of Mumbai for a look at the architecture and several major attractions such as the Mani Bhavan (Ghandi Museum), the Gateway to India, the Haji Ali Mosque, the Mantralaya (ministerial homes and state parliament offices), and the largest shanty town in Asia as featured in Slumdog Millionaire.

All families were treated to a shopping excursion to acquire authentic Indian attire for the Sangam Family Day festivities in Hazira later in the week. The women were outfitted with salwar kameez and the gents in kurta and pajama. And if that wasn’t enough excitement to pack into a day, the evening held the promise of a gala dinner at the Taj Mahal Hotel. Adil Malia, Group President- Human Resources, hosted the group along with Armando Plastino, CEO of Essar Steel Algoma, who just arrived in India the day before.

When the group visited Essar House, Dr. Sujaya Banerjee, Chief Learning Officer with the Essar Group, gave a presentation and shared some insights into the economic, political and socio-cultural landscape in India. She described India as a country in transition, caught between the agricultural, industrial and technological eras. Shanties with satellite dishes, BMWs driving next to bullock carts; village women carrying water on their heads alongside businessmen dressed in Armani and blue tooth headsets; masons hand mixing mortar to build magnificent marble sky rises. Such stark contrasts have intrigued the families on their travels through this remarkable country, furthering their understanding of how a developing nation of 1.2 billion can wield such influence on the global stage.

WE'VE ARRIVED! FIRST DAY IN MUMBAI

Paired with hands joined in prayer and a cursory bow of the head, the traditional Indian greeting, Namaste, conveys a warm welcome to all. “The light in me honours the light in you.” And so it is for our five families currently visiting Essar in India – truly honoured by the generous hospitality that has been bestowed upon them since their arrival.

February 2nd, 2010 - After a 28 hour journey from Sault Ste. Marie to Mumbai, they have settled in to the comfortable hustle and bustle that is India. The first two days of their Confluence ** adventure were spent in Mumbai. Formerly Bombay, this city of 18 million pulses with life and vitality 24 hours a day. From their base at the beautiful and modern Trident Hotel, the families explored the city, beginning with a tour of Essar House – corporate headquarters for the whole Essar Group. Here they met with fellow Essarites from the corporate affairs group and human resources along with the team at the publishing house for Time Out Mumbai. They lunched on authentic Indian cuisine in the corporate dining hall on the 22nd floor, surrounded by a panoramic view of Mumbai, and met with members of the leadership team, building relationships and exchanging ideas.

The group saw the city from the comfort of their chartered coach and then embarked on a private yacht for a refreshing harbour cruise. To top off their first day in Mumbai, the families were invited for cocktails with the Ruia family. The Promoter Directors Shashi and Ravi Ruia, along with Mrs. Madhu Ruia and Rewant Ruia hosted the group for cocktails and hors d’ourves at their home on the shores of the Arabian Sea - truly a tranquil end to an exhilarating day.

Reflecting back, the families were overwhelmed by the hospitality extended to them – bouquets of roses from Essar’s Agritech Company were presented to each and every member of the party; gift baskets of treats and Essar apparel for all awaited each family in their rooms – in one day, the host team packed a week’s worth of memories. Weary but excited, the families retired to rest up for a new day in Incredible India.

**Confluence is an Essar initiative promoting the appreciation of culture through structured exchange programs. The family trip to India is one of the first programs under the Confluence initiative.