The energy, colour, and verve with which the International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 8th reflect the growing women power within our organization, mirroring a global trend of more women rising to positions of prominence across sectors, verticals, disciplines, and geographies. Understandably, a more inclusive mindset has helped hasten this shift.
Driving DEI
As an organization, we have always been committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion and it is nice to see that our systematic and structured approach has started to bear fruit. Opportunities were always there for the taking; what has changed in recent times is the more aggressive and focused approach of women to avail of them and start making a difference where it matters.
The emergence of more senior women executives within L&T, willing to shoulder bigger and tougher responsibilities is certainly a welcome development that, as a Company, we should embrace and propel. While across the Group, women constitute 17% of our employee strength, in L&T Construction it is still round 8% but then we have had to combat legacy issues in the construction industry and therefore must travel a longer distance towards gender equality. However, our concerted efforts to create a more level playing field for women will surely help to push our women population higher.
While more women opting for site postings is extremely encouraging, what is perhaps even more refreshing is that several women at N-1, N-2 and N-3 levels have come to the fore across disciplines and are proving their worth. Their willingness to learn, work collaboratively and accept situational reality are noteworthy. They need to be constantly supported and encouraged. The onus on the respective HR teams, colleagues and peers is to ensure an enabling environment for such talent to nurture and grow.
With our business expanding, work demands are only going to rise. Overseas postings in tough, arduous site conditions in the middle of deserts or back of beyond are increasingly becoming the need of the times especially as our share of international business increases. Opportunities are aplenty for women who are willing to push boundaries and break glass ceilings. Happily, the numbers of such women in L&T are certainly growing. There is empirical data to support the fact that team performances improve with the induction of more women which is exactly what we are seeking.
At the end of the day, to all the ladies of L&T: It is in your hands to script your success and make your destiny. Rest assured, that the Company with all the machinery available at our disposal will always remain right behind you.
A great place to work
Our recent re-certification as a great place to work for the second consecutive year is another achievement that we should all be proud of. It is a testament to our collective efforts to create a workplace that nurtures innovation, fosters collaborative working, and celebrates performance. Since this is essentially a self-assessment, the re-certification underscores the dedication, devotion, focus and commitment of each one of you to contribute to what we do best that is making the things that make India proud. Our shared values and objectives should hold us in good stead as we together pursue our Lakshya targets.
Give more than you take
It is infinitely better to give more than you take, both in your personal life as well as in your professional life. At our workplace, giving more to our work and meeting the requirements of our customers, will be hugely advantageous for us. In the evolving business scenario where lines of differentiation are blurring, enduring relationships will win the day; those with deeper and closer connect with their customers are on a much better wicket to delight them.
With more complex projects coming our way, we need people with broader vision, greater bandwidth, and deeper understanding to lead them that will demand more from each one you and your teams.
With the new financial year, and with the national elections round the corner, we will have new and tougher challenges to face. Let’s tighten our bootstraps and put our collective shoulders to chase our Lakshya.
All the best!
In the evolving business scenario where lines of differentiation are blurring, enduring relationships will win the day; those with deeper and closer connect with their customers are on a much better wicket to delight them.
S. N. SUBRAHMANYAN
Chairman & Managing Director, Larsen & Toubro
A HISTORIC SIGNING FOR INDIA’S LARGEST EPC MANDATE TILL DATE
November 26th 2020 was a red letter day both for the Indian infrastructure sector and for us as the contract for the largest EPC order awarded in the country till date was signed between L&T and the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited. As our CEO & Managing Director, Mr S N Subrahmanyan described, “this order reflects an inflection point in the revival of India’s infrastructure sector and the first sure shot indication that our economy is up and running.” For L&T, it represents a great opportunity to make up for lost ground due to the pandemic and reaffirm our status as India’s foremost construction organization.
The mandate is for the design and construction of 237 km of viaduct between Vapi and Vadodara in Gujarat, four stations, a depot at Surat, 14 river, 6 railway & 42 road crossings and a 350 M long mountain tunnel.
“This project will give a huge thrust to economic and social development,” declared Whole Time Director & Senior Executive Vice
President (Civil Infrastructure), S V Desai, for whom and his team, the mandate is not only a huge win but an even bigger responsibility. “The project will generate employment for professionals like engineers, technicians, designers, architects and create livelihoods for skilled and semi-skilled workforce and construction workers. It will boost demand for construction material and machinery and even ancillary industries like hospitality, entertainment, health, tourism, real estate & housing and education will flourish during the construction phase,” he elaborated.