Human Resource Management Forum Events

After a prolonged pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HR students were fortunate to resume their educational activities with an industrial visit. The visit spanned four days and included visits to prominent companies like Bharat Electronics Limited, Gokaldas, Himalaya, Schneider, and Infosys. The highlight of the visit was an interactive session with an advocate.

On December 7, 2022, the HR students embarked on a visit to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). During the visit, they were greeted by Mr. Suresh Michael, an Associate General Manager, and Ms. Suresh Michael, a Deputy General Manager, who shared their knowledge and insights. The session commenced with a brief introduction to the company, which was founded in 1954 and upholds the principle of esprit de corps. With a workforce of 14,000 employees, BEL aims to become a globally competitive company driven by competencies and performance. The organization places significant emphasis on research and development and acknowledges the crucial role of quality in national success. BEL operates through three main wings: technical, quality, and innovation, and manufactures a wide range of products including radar systems, weapon systems, network-centric systems, electronic optics, civilian products, space electronics and systems, and healthcare solutions.

Following the visit to BEL, the students had the opportunity to meet Mr. Prashanth B.K, a legal advocate at the High Court of Karnataka, and CCI Legal. Mr. Prashanth B.K started the session by highlighting the importance of public speaking as a crucial skill for HR personnel. He emphasized that effective communication is a key instrument for HR professionals and shared some challenges he encountered during the early stages of his career. The students engaged in an interactive session, posing questions on topics such as the POSH Act, union negotiation, and HR management. The session concluded with a vote of thanks from the trainees, accompanied by a group photograph.

On December 8, 2022, the HR trainees and faculty visited Gokaldas Exports Ltd. Gokaldas Exports serves as a comprehensive manufacturing hub for renowned brands like Puma and Adidas. Established in 1979, the company operates 20 units and employs a workforce of 25,000 individuals. With a focus on quality and sustainability, Gokaldas Exports produces 40 million garments annually, encompassing fashion and sportswear. The trainees gained insights into the company's functioning and different departments, including trimming, stitching, logo design, embroidery, and pattern making. Gokaldas Exports utilizes a self-service machine called Kiosk for attendance, leave, and resignation tracking. As a means of employee engagement, they have implemented a program called "Tambola," which motivates workers, particularly the 85% female workforce, with rewards like gold, sarees, and gift vouchers. The company is renowned for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, with contributions made to education, community development, and health and hygiene. Notably, they have donated a computer lab and a library as part of their CSR efforts.

The following day, on December 9, 2022, the HR trainees visited Himalaya Drug Company. During this visit, they had the opportunity to interact with alumni from their own college. Mr. Umesh, the HR General Manager, highlighted the importance of practical knowledge and advised the students to have a systematic understanding of business operations. He emphasized the need to be observant and receptive to continuous learning. The trainees learned about the company's history, which dates back to 1930, and its focus on manufacturing high-quality goods. Himalaya Drug Company employs 280 scientists and produces 900 products. They showcased their achievements, including the transition from HPC to HWC, the Dubai Industry City Award, and new products such as Alvera gel, face sheets, plantenza setup, and boutique kids paste. In terms of CSR, the company distributed Himalaya products to over 4,000 individuals, contributed to Charlie's Animal Rescue, and launched the "Lakshmi" project, providing employment opportunities to 5,000. s

The HR trainees recently visited Schneider Electric India Private Limited on December 9, 2022. Schneider Electric is a multinational company that specializes in providing digital solutions for energy and automation, with a focus on efficiency and sustainability. They offer integrated solutions for various sectors including homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure, and industries, by combining leading energy technologies, real-time automation, software, and services. At their Bangalore plant, the company emphasizes sustainability through energy savings, sustainability reporting to track progress, metric management and benchmarking, and avoiding penalties for non-compliance. Schneider Electric also prioritizes investment in clean and renewable energy sources to reduce their carbon footprint and challenge unsustainable economic systems. They currently achieve 85% renewable energy efficiency. The company's overall mission is to become a digital partner for sustainability and efficiency.

During the HR trainees' visits to various companies, they also visited INFOSYS. The trainees learned about the challenges associated with company mergers. Additionally, the speaker mentioned that INFOSYS might not be the best in terms of compensation for its employees. However, the speaker also highlighted the positive news that INFOSYS recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. In light of these insights, the speaker emphasized the importance of HR professionals to effectively balancing various aspects within the organization.