We once again showed our commitment to helping the community. The event would not have succeeded without the dedicated support of the donors. Thanks to everyone!

Eighteen teams came forward to compete with true professionalism and enthusiasm. They were hours of practice, perseverance, teamwork and the desire to win, and of course with a topping of fun and frolic.

The objective of the meeting was to discuss revisions in various policies, procedures and proposed implementation systems or processes. Another goal was to promote understanding of MOL's and MOLIPS' mid term plan and goals and HR teams' expectations.

The meeting helped everyone better understand HR functions, and share the issues, concerns, and various problem-solving approaches. It also helped identify areas or activities for delegation and decentralization to speed up responses and improve communication, interaction, and bonding among the HR team.

Apart from understanding the concerns and expectations, the meeting also covered the issues concerning Human Resources Information System (HRIS), HR Audit, the existing attendance system, and finally the action plan for implementation.

The event was organized in collaboration with Nair Hospital, a public hospital in Mumbai. It provides blood to poor and underprivileged patients.

It was very encouraging and heartening to see the staff coming forward, offering to donate their blood. Some of them gave blood for the first time and were scared; and some were regular donors. Their drive to help the suffering was truly commendable.

The meeting was chaired by MOL India Sales and Marketing General Manager Sangeeta Korgaokar. The meeting started with a presentation on current business services. More emphasis was given to South East India locations. Budget issues were also discussed and finalized for South East India. For North West India sales locations, their actual performance vs. the targeted budget 2007 was also gauged.

They also covered topics like additional space, equipment constraints, rates, and reefer opportunities, and discussed them in detail. They also discussed strategies to increase market share in India.

"How long will you be poring over that newspaper? Will you come here right away and make your darling daughter eat her food?" I tossed the paper away and rushed to the scene. My only daughter, Sindu, looked frightened. Tears were welling up in her eyes. In front of her was a bowl filled to its brim with curd rice.

Sindu is a nice child, quite intelligent for her age. She has just turned eight. She particularly detested curd rice. My mother and my wife are orthodox and believe firmly in the "cooling effects" of curd rice.

I cleared my throat and picked up the bowl.

"Sindu, darling, why don't you take a few mouthful of this curd rice? Just for Dad's sake, dear. If you don't, your Mom will shout at me."

I could sense my wife's scowl behind my back.

Sindu softened a bit and wiped her tears with the back of her hands. "OK, Dad. I will eat not just a few mouthfuls, but the whole lot of this. But, you should..." Sindu hesitated. "Dad, if I eat this entire curd rice, will you give me whatever I ask for?"

"Oh sure, darling."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

I covered the pink soft hand extended by my daughter with mine and clinched the deal. "Ask Mom also to give a similar promise," my daughter insisted. My wife slapped her hand on Sindu's, muttering "Promise," without any emotion.

Now I became a bit anxious. "Sindu, you shouldn't insist on getting a computer or any such expensive items. Dad does not have that kind of money right now. OK?"

"No, Dad. I do not want anything expensive."

Slowly and painfully, she finished eating the whole quantity. I was silently angry with my wife and my mother for forcing my child to eat something that she detested. After the ordeal was through, Sindu came to me with her eyes wide with expectation. All of our attention was on her.

"Dad, I want to have my head shaved off this Sunday." That was her demand!

"Atrocious!" shouted my wife," a girl child having her head shaved off? Impossible!"

"Never in our family!" my mother rasped. "She has been watching too much of television. Our culture is getting totally spoiled with these TV programs!"

"Sindu, why don't you ask for something else? We will be sad seeing you with a clean-shaven head."

"No, Dad. I do not want anything else," Sindu said with finality.

"Please Sindu, why don't you try to understand our feelings?" I tried to plead with her.

"Dad, you saw how difficult it was for me to eat that curd rice," Sindu was in tears. "And you promised to grant me whatever I ask for. Now, you are going back on your word. Was it not you who told me the story of King Harishchandra and its moral that we should honor our promises no matter what?"

It was time for me to call the shots.

"Our promise must be kept."

"Are you out your mind?" chorused my mother and wife.

"No. If we go back on our promises, she will never learn to honor her own. Sindu, your wish will be fulfilled."

With her head clean-shaven, Sindu had a round-face, and her eyes looked big and beautiful. On Monday morning, I dropped her at her school. It was a sight to watch my hairless Sindu walking towards her classroom. She turned around and waved. I waved back with a smile. Just then, a boy alighted from a car, and shouted, "Sinduja, please wait for me!"

What struck me was the hairless head of that boy.

"Maybe that is the 'in' stuff," I thought.

"Sir, your daughter Sinduja is great indeed!"

Without introducing herself, a lady got out of the car, and continued, "That boy who is walking along with your daughter is my son Harish. He is suffering from leukemia."

She paused to muffle her sobs. "Harish could not attend school for the whole of last month. He lost all of his hair due to the side effects of the chemotherapy. He refused to come back to school fearing the unintentional but cruel teasing of the schoolmates."

"Sinduja visited him last week and promised him that she will take care of the teasing issue. But I never imagined she would sacrifice her lovely hair for the sake of my son! Sir, you and your wife are blessed to have such a noble soul as your daughter."

I stood transfixed. And then, I wept.

The goals of the gathering were to build team spirit, improve interpersonal relationships and fortify the corporate brand image among the employees and their families. Again it was a chance to rejuvenate the staff's enthusiasm and spirit for better productivity.

The first session was a seminar for the MOL-IT staff. Upcoming business plans and projects and new growth initiatives were discussed, along with HR policies and information security initiatives. It ended with a quiz on MOL and 10 winners got MOL-IT T-shirts.

The second session included a corporate video show, games, and events for all. Events included the jumble tumble, memory games, spin the bottle, and other games. The children really had a great time. The evening featured a cocktail party, dinner, and dancing. MOL-IT caps were distributed to all to promote awareness of the brand.

The next morning, people were splashing around the swimming pool, checking out the game rooms, and keeping themselves busy in different outdoor activities. At the end of the day, they held a feedback session that offered valuable input and ideas. This feedback will help in organizing similar activities in the future.

In the afternoon, the group left for Kolkata with lots of interesting stories and good memories to share. Even the wet weather and a huge downpour could not dampen their high spirits.

The staff was divided into four teams: Red, Blue, Purple, and Green. Each team consisted of around 60 members. The day started with an opening speech by MOL Thailand President Takao Furukawa. A colorful pompon parade followed. During the day, the players enjoyed basketball and chairball games. The staff cheerleader contest was one of the most popular events. After more than two months of practice, they did a brilliant show. The team uniforms were dazzling and their performances were wildly entertaining, showcasing their great talent. Last but not least, the highlight activity drew them together to take part in the team-building act.

MOL Vietnam had the honor of welcoming many top representatives from Asia. MOL Tokyo Executive Officer Noboru Kitazawa and MOL Asia Managing Director Michael Goh were among the representatives.

After opening remarks by Goh, the participants made a short presentation on mutual information exchange. Later that day, they visited Ca Mep, which will become a main port in the future.