THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM| The third HR/IR Conclave “Utkarsh 2026”, organized by South Eastern Coalfields Limited, Bilaspur, under the aegis of Coal India Limited, concluded successfully on April 10–11, 2026. The two-day national forum brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on the evolving landscape of Human Resources and Industrial Relations in the coal and mining sector.

Held under the theme “Shaping Minds, Strengthening Mines – Innovate, Excel, Rise”, the conclave witnessed participation from over 100 HR professionals from Coal India and its subsidiaries, along with industry experts, academicians, and thought leaders from across the country. The discussions focused on building a future-ready HR roadmap aligned with the sector’s transformation goals.

A major highlight of the closing day was an engaging fireside chat with India’s national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand. Drawing parallels between sports and organizational excellence, he emphasized discipline, resilience, and sustained effort as the pillars of success. His insight that “success comes not when you desire it, but when you deserve it” resonated strongly with the audience.

The second day featured in-depth deliberations on key themes such as Change Adoption, “Mine to Mind” Transformation, Future HR Landscape, and Strategic Workforce Planning. These sessions underscored the evolving strategic role of HR as a driver of organizational transformation and performance.

The conclave was inaugurated virtually on April 10 by B. Sairam, who highlighted the central role of HR in advancing the vision of “Reform, Perform, Transform”.

In his welcome address, Harish Duhan emphasized the importance of fostering a people-centric culture and prioritizing employee development and well-being. Brajesh Kumar Tripathi spoke on the significance of integrity and collective identity within organizations.

Delivering the keynote address, Vinay Ranjan presented “From Mind to Mine – The HR Shift Driving Mining Excellence”, highlighting HR’s expanding role in enhancing productivity, driving innovation, and enabling organizational change.

The conclave also featured sessions by leading CHROs and experts on trust-building in leadership, value creation through HR, responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in HR practices, and strengthening social dialogue for the future workplace.

An exhibition showcasing HR initiatives and achievements of Coal India and Eastern Coalfields Limited was another key attraction, highlighting innovative and employee-centric practices across subsidiaries.

One of the notable outcomes of “Utkarsh 2026” was the presentation of concept papers and innovative HR models by various subsidiaries, fostering knowledge exchange and dissemination of best practices.

The conclave concluded with a collective resolve to further strengthen HR systems, promote a culture of trust and performance, and align human resource strategies with Coal India’s broader vision of sustainable and efficient mining.