Bhagwan Singh
September 15, 2021
AGM, SMS, Jajpur
Meet Mr Bhagwan Singh, AGM, Steel Melting Shop (SMS), Jajpur. His relentless efforts have contributed to the growth of Jindal Stainless over the last 24 years. His dedication at the Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) section of SMS, earlier in Hisar and now in Jajpur, has played a major role in achieving the highest ever production of 95K MT at SMS, Jajpur in January 2021. He is best known for his team playing spirit, kind personality, and quick learnability. Read about his amazing journey in this edition of Abhivyakti.
Tell us about your life before Jindal Stainless.
I was born in Ranikhet, Uttrakhand. My father was working with HCL in Rajasthan. I completed my graduation from Rajasthan University, Jaipur. I was a hardworking student and the topper of my batch. My ambition was to become a physics teacher, but destiny had other plans for me. I joined our Hisar plant in 1997 after graduation and I’ve been a part of the Jindal Stainless family ever since. I wanted to study further and hence, completed MCA from IGNOU in 2003.
How has the Jindal Stainless journey been for you?
In 1997, I started working at the Hisar plant. The adventure began as a Furnace Melter in Arc Furnace, SMS 2. We began with two heats at the time, and Hisar today produces 25 heats per day!
At the time, I worked in numerous areas of SMS, including Furnace and De-dusting. In 2003, I began working in the AOD area as an operational, melting, and shift in-charge. In 2007, we produced 10 heats in one shift under the direction of VP, SMS, Mr Kishore Gurubaxani. During that time, my work was recognised and I was promoted. At the same time, the Jajpur facility was commissioned. As a result, I used to travel from Hisar to Jajpur with my teammates.
I transferred to the Jajpur plant in 2012 and began working as the AOD, LRF, and EAF in-charge. As a team, we have achieved a number of milestones throughout my term. With controlled process time and less delays, we were able to complete 23 heats every day. Carbon and nitrogen pickup have been managed in the 400 series, and the quality needed by the customer has been met. With increased AOD life, the quality of all grades has improved, and refractory costs have decreased.
In terms of safety, we’ve created a process that uses the AOD safety observation system to monitor risky acts and hazardous conditions on a regular basis. I urge my teammates to participate in Situational Leadership (SL)-based technical and managerial skill trainings. This will help them become even more efficient.
I’ve been with Jindal Stainless for 24 years; yet, every day is different here since it brings new challenges, possibilities, and opportunities.
Share some memorable experiences and achievements from your journey.
In 2018, I was honoured at our annual rewards ceremony, Utsav, for enhancing AOD’s production. One of the best recollections in this organisation is receiving such a coveted honour.
SMS achieved the highest ever production in the month of January 2021, thanks to continued efforts, collaboration, and flawless execution by every single person, and we haven’t looked back since. This accomplishment has motivated us to boost production to 1.2 MT in the near future.
By successfully completing the company’s flagship training project, Masterful Management, I was able to establish lean manufacturing methodology within SMS. It helped us get awarded for “Reduction of Process Time in Lean Carbon Grades” in the Allied Concepts category of the Chapter Convention on Quality Concepts (CCQC-2020).
What do you do in your spare time?
I am a fitness fanatic who walks for an hour and a half every day. I read books on metallurgy and management. I like to watch action-adventure films. As I previously stated, I aspired to be a teacher, and I am currently pursuing that goal through teaching my children. I enjoy spending time with my loved ones.
What message do you want to convey to Jindal Stainless Family?
Without the efforts and support of my superiors, colleagues, and juniors, I would not have been able to accomplish what I have. I recommend that everyone believes in teamwork and exercises patience. Patience will pay off in the end; just keep your eyes peeled for the light at the end of the tunnel. Learn from your experiences and apply what you’ve learned in every element of your job and life.
