Here’s what the TAFE Women’s Interest Network (tWIN) Team presented the Chairman on her being conferred the Padma Shri Award by the Government of India.
It’s a pushpin art work made by using 11000 pushpins. Indeed, an innovative memento for an innovative personality.
Ms. Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman & CEO of TAFE Group was conferred the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her contribution to Trade & Industry.
Ms. Mallika Srinivasan received the award from President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee at a glittering function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
On receiving the award Ms. Srinivasan said, “I am deeply honored on being recognized with the Padma Shri award by the Government of India. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the TAFE team, both past and present, for raising TAFE to its current status, transitioning from a domestic company to a conglomerate centered around human values, and acclaimed for its mass manufacturing capability.”
“I believe that Indian enterprise and engineering has evolved to attain international levels of competence, and all that remains for us is to invest in processes and relevant technology to offer products for global markets. I would also like to thank my family for their support,” she added.
Under Mallika Srinivasan’s stewardship, TAFE emerged as one of the world’s top three tractor manufacturers (by volumes) and India’s largest exporter of tractors. A renowned name for her contribution of Indian industry and academia, she is recognized for her commitment to excellence in operations, redefining the farm machinery business and for transforming the landscape of Indian agriculture by leveraging TAFE’s competencies to deliver products of high quality and relevance with an inherent customer focus.
Ms. Srinivasan initiated steps to tap global markets to balance the swings in demand in a cyclical industry. She significantly contributed to developing new products of TAFE to meet emerging customer demands for tractors and agriculture machinery, and exponential growth of TAFE’s exports. TAFE’s products are now sold in over 75 countries spanning South Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa and North America, resonating with its corporate vision of ‘cultivating the world.’
With a proven track record of propelling TAFE from an Indian tractor company to a global player on an exponential growth trajectory, Mallika Srinivasan has consistently focused on ensuring inclusive growth of TAFE’s stakeholder communities across the world.
Conversation between two friends.
X: It’s my day off from work today.
Y: Same here. My company doesn’t work on election day.
X: Lunch at my place?
Y: Shall we just meet up in the evening? I’m planning to cast my vote in the noon, so I won’t be free till the evening.
X: Big deal! As if your one vote is going to make a difference.
Does this conversation sound familiar to you? Have you ever thought that, it isn’t a big deal if just one person doesn’t vote? But, what if thousands of other people thought the same way? Wouldn’t it make a difference then?
Apart from the people who think of this day as just another public holiday to rest at home or meet up with friends, what might be the other reasons for people to restrain from voting by will?
In a recent focus group study we asked people to state the challenges that they face while voting, and why they restrain from voting at times. Here’s what they said,
Christina Simon a dentist by profession stated “I don’t like that black ink on my hand, UNAESTHETIC”.
“No proper toilet facilities” mentioned by a college student.
Tina Sunny a student, said “The pain of having to wait in a Long queue”.
In situations such as these, where trivial issues cause people to restrain from voting, one needs to understand how important a duty it is for every citizen to vote. Understanding the seriousness of the issue will enable people to overcome and look past these insignificant issues and understand the role they play in choosing the leaders who lead their nation.
Let’s look at some other challenges that were faced,
A 21 year old student “most important problem while voting, you don’t know whom to vote for, because you don’t know any of them”
“You should have clear information about the party’s work in the past and what they claim to improve or change in their manifesto for the future” – Abhijit, 24 years.
Knowledge can be gained through various sources such as the internet, from news channels on television and newspapers .Informed decision making can take place. In the above views shared by people, one of the issues highlighted was that, the public did not possess knowledge about the parties or candidates and therefore restrained from voting. One must again understand that these challenges can be easily overcome. All one needs to do is spend some time and gain knowledge about the candidates or parties standing for the election through various sources.
“Main problem is there is no one worthy enough to be voted for”-27 year old professor.
After being aware of all the candidates, and yet if people are dissatisfied they have the option of voting for NOTA, i.e. None of the Above(section 49O), an option that allows the public to not support any of the parties or candidates.
There are some more challenges that emerged out of this study, which made voting complicated for certain people. They were:
“My hometown is conoor, I’m staying in Chennai and I can’t vote in Chennai”-25 year old charted accountant.
“Personally I don’t believe in voting because they promise things just for the vote and post elections, they show their back and walk off. It’s a total waste and at the end of the day we don’t get anything in return for what we are doing,” stated a 21 year old accountant.
For issues such as these, people can seek help from appropriate government authorities and forums for such issues and try to get relevant solutions and answers, towards fulfilling their duty as a responsible citizen. Here’s some info about one such helpline that could be of help in voting related woes.
HELPLINE – http://www.justdial.com/National-Search/Voters-List-Helpline
Therefore, when there is a will, there is always a way to overcome challenges. We are a part of the largest democracy in the world, where the government is of, for and by the people. It is a two way process, and will work only if there is effective participation and fulfilment of duties from both ends, and when, both the people and the government play a responsible and more inclusive role in sustaining and nurturing the democracy.
So let us fulfil our duty and make use of this privilege. Try not to be that one person who thinks that their vote will not make a difference. Be the inspiration, for bringing a sense of belonging and responsibility towards the country. Change and also bring about a change in others by setting an example and casting your vote.
Voting is your right, vote for the right!
An election in a democracy is an act of choosing someone for a public office by voting. According to the election commission, the 16th Lok Sabha election is expected to host 780 million registered voters which is higher as compared to the 15th Lok Sabha elections and voting will take place in 543 constituencies in India. With an added 100 million newly eligible voters, this will be the longest and the most expensive general election in the history of the country. (Wikipedia.com)
When elections arrive, the first thing that comes to mind is to whom we shall cast our vote for. Don’t worry this article is not about supporting anybody, but a reminder about the right to vote.
Why is it important to vote? Does voting make any difference? Yes, voting does make a difference. Voting is the best way to get one’s opinion heard. Your vote is your voice. Voting gives us power to bring a change. If we care to vote, our voices will be heard loud and clear. Thereby politicians will be aware of the opinions and preferences of the public. The elected representatives are guided by what we say, particularly when we vote. If we don’t vote it gives an impression that we don’t fulfill the basic duty.
Voting is our right and our duty. Four points to clear your mind before heading out to the voting booth.
Needless to say that voting does influence the future generation. By voting we can set an example for others as well as for our future citizens. Voting is the basic right and the informed decision of every citizen. It is the chance to make your voice heard. So make it count and make a difference.
Check out TAFE’s Cultivating the World – Theme Song!
Watch the official video here:
Don’t forget to comment, like and share the song among your colleagues and friends!
Lyrics:
There comes a time in our lives
When the winds of change usher in the storm
For us to learn, unlearn and transform.
When destiny beckons us
To rise like the phoenix
Reborn with a determination
To win not just the battle, nor the war,
But the customers’ hearts, the ultimate reward.
Stepping into the unknown
Shedding aside fears we have known
The vision as our guiding light
Gently steers us through the night
We take the road less travelled,
And yes! There’s a lot to unravel.
We are not just star-gazers,
We are the trailblazers.
We’ll win through thick and thin,
We’ll win with our spirit within,
For with the man of the land,
TAFE stands hand in hand.
In passion and toil,
In sun and soil.
Man and machine,
Reaping gold from green.
Embracing change with open arms,
Sowing our vision in every farm
We take on this arduous task,
Good to great is all we ask.
There’s no barrier we cannot break,
And this is a promise we must make.
To touch new lives across the globe,
To delight the world, with an all new hope.
We’ll win through thick and thin,
We’ll win with our spirit within,
For with the man of the land,
TAFE stands hand in hand.
In passion and toil,
In sun and soil.
Man and machine,
Reaping gold from green.
Asia, Africa, America worldwide,
Are ready to welcome India’s pride,
With a belief to be the best,
We place quality above the rest,
Faster we race, harder we try,
No limit we know, not even the sky.
Stronger than an idea, mightier than a thought,
Our actions shall speak, mere words will not.
We’ll win through thick and thin,
We’ll win with our spirit within,
For with the man of the land,
TAFE stands hand in hand.
In passion and toil,
In sun and soil.
Man and machine,
Reaping gold from green.
Need help with mangoes? Here’s your mango expert!
Check the links below to read the article written by our very own Mr S S Nagarajan, VP Agri Research for Kisan Worl magazine, March 2014.
Many thanks to S Vanangamudi for submitting this article to us in a timely manner!
We are very proud to share that our employee, Ganapathy Krishnan, IT, has been shortlisted for a national level volunteer award for his work with Bhumi, an NGO.
This recognition, he says, will be an additional laurel for the NGO and will also inspire the youth to volunteer!
The winner is decied by public voting. Let us all support Ganapathy by visiting the link below and voting for him:
http://www.ivolunteer.in/ivolunteer-awards/Volunteer-Hero-2013.html