In another major glory for energy major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Chief Engineer (Mechanical) Mr Rituraj Sahu has been felicitated and honored with the Master Trainer Award by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, on the Teachers’ Day on 5 September 2019. Mr Sahu’s honor came in the recognition of his commendable contribution in Apprentices Training.

Rituraj Sahu (Right) receiving Master Trainer Award and Commendation Letter from Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey (Second from Left) and Raj Kumar Singh (Center)

The Award and a Commendation Letter was handed over to Mr Sahu by the Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey and the Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Mr Raj Kumar Singh. Also present in the award ceremony were the Ministry’s Secretary Dr K P Krishnan and Senior Advisor Mrs Sunita Sanghi.

Rituraj Sahu (Right) with Director (HR) Dr Alka Mittal (Second from Right), Somesh Ranjan (Second from Left) and Shiladitya Bhattacharya (Left)

This feat of Mr Rituraj Sahu was later appreciated by Director (HR) Dr Alka Mittal at DUB Delhi, in the presence of ED Chief Skill Development Center Mr Somesh Ranjan and CGM (HR) Mr Shiladitya Bhattacharya.

Citation of Commendation Letter

A post graduate in Maintenance Engineering from IIT Delhi, Mr Rituraj Sahu has a long experience in training and guiding apprentices. He actively participated in satisfying the training needs of apprentices to fulfill the Government of India’s goal – Skill India Program. Mr Sahu has 11 years of experience in operation and maintenance of work over rigs and four years’ experience in planning, coordination and execution of various shop related activities at Central Workshop.

Addressing the trainers and other dignitaries present in the ceremony, Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey asserted that next year the award distribution to trainers will be organized in a much grander manner. Mr Pandey also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to create a separate department for skill development & training.

Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey addressing the session

Mentioning India’s success in Skill Development over the years, Mr Pandey showcased the country’s performances in the WorldSkills competitions. While India won 7 medals in the WorldSkills competition in 2015, in the WorldSkills Kazan 2019, India bagged 19 medals – including one Gold, one Silver and two Bronze. Among the 63 countries that participated in the global competition, India was ranked 13^th.

Raj Kumar Singh addressing trainers and dignitaries at the ceremony

Mr Raj Kumar Singh cited the example of Dronacharya to state that the teachers and the trainers perform similar roles in the lives of people. He said that while the teachers impart knowledge, trainers impart skills to improve a person’s ability in the workplace. He further claimed that there should be a specific degree for trainers – like for teachers, there is the BEd degree.

Trainers and other dignitaries during the Award ceremony