reimagining the future

June 2021
Inside The Issue
Play: Brain's favourite way of learning30The Butterfly
Effect20 Answer the quiz and stand a chance to win fuel vouchers worth `1,00038
Editor-in-Chief: Subodh Dakwale
Editor: MVL Manikantan
Refineries HO: Sabeena Chowdhary
Pipelines HO: Divya Tunkalia
Marketing HO: Anubhooti Panda
Northern Region: Dharmendra Singh
Eastern Region: Arup Das
Western Region: Anjali Bhave
Southern Region: R Chidambaram
Haldia Refinery: Sarbari Jana
Mathura Refinery: Renu Pathak
Panipat Refinery: RL Midha
Bongaigaon Refinery: Nilakshi Konwar
Paradip Refinery: Soudamini Sethi
Digboi Refinery: Priyam Medhi
Edited & Published by Executive Director I/C (Corporate Communications & Branding) on behalf of
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. G-9, Ali Yavar Jung Marg, Bandra (East), Mumbai-400 051.
Website: www.iocl.com
Petrol by 2025 ............................................................................. 2
A Chance for Tomorrow ..................................................................5
Jal hi Jeevan – A Clean Water Initiative ...............................19
The Butterfly Effect ..........................................................................20
Climate Change: ‘It is time we walk the talk’ .................. 21
Innerscape
..........................................................................................32
Liked the issue? Send your feedback and questions to [email protected]
Click to play video
The ongoing wave of COVID-19 is certainly showing signs of abating, and I hope and pray that the situation only gets better from hereon. No matter
how much the curbs are relaxed, we must still follow all the safety and hygiene protocols religiously and not venture into crowded places unless direly needed.
The world is taking cognizance of climate change more than ever before and efforts are underway in many countries to make optimum use of available resources, reuse, and recycle, and opt for clean energy as much as possible. It was with this spirit that World Environment Day was celebrated on June 5, and leaders of countries as well as corporates across the globe reaffirmed their commitment towards the preservation of Mother Nature. The theme for the event this year Reimagine. Recreate. Restore is quite synonymous with the initiatives being undertaken at IndianOil — unprecedented foray into renewable energy, converting used cooking oil to biodiesel, production of grain-based ethanol — apart from the numerous sustainability initiatives that are already under progress at its various sites.
The Cover Story is replete with facts and figures on how the Corporation is contributing its humble bit to creating a better tomorrow for everybody. This is complemented by stories in the Spotlight section that range from how IndianOil helped bring potable water to remote regions of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to the importance of butterflies in the ecosystem to changing our lifestyle in the interest of nature.
Catch the latest happenings in the Corporation in the Innerscape section including the Annual MoU Awards 2020-21, presented online in a glitzy ceremony.
The All in the Family section features coverage of SERPL, Bhubaneswar’s initiative where IOCians devised ways to include interactive activities in children’s routine in a bid to improve their mental health.
We hope you enjoy this month’s edition, also available as a flipbook. Thank you for participating in the Quiz in huge numbers. Do spread the word among your fellow IOCians and they too stand a chance to win vouchers worth `1,000!
I would also like to inform you that this issue will be my last as Editor-in-Chief. Over the last few years, we have strived to make the magazine more reader-friendly, brought out more features on varied topics, pushed digital presence, and made it inclusive not just for IOCians but also their family members. I thank you for all the support and appreciation bestowed on this magazine which has chronicled the growth of our Corporation.
As I sign off and move to my second innings, I pray the future be healthy and prosperous for you and your families.
Goodbye!
2 | IndianOil NEWS | June 2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Ethanol has emerged as one of the priorities of 21st century India
The Green Mile: 20% Ethanol- Blended Petrol by 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the World Environment Day event, jointly organised by the
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on June 5, 2021 through a video conference. Union Cabinet Ministers, Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar, Mr. Prakash Javadekar, Mr. Piyush Goyal, and Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan were also present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister released the ‘Report of the Expert Committee on Road Map for ethanol blending in India 2020-2025’ and also launched the ambitious E-100 pilot project in Pune for the production and distribution of ethanol across the country. The Prime Minister also interacted with a farmer from Pune who shared his experience of organic farming and use of biofuel in agriculture. The theme for this year’s World Environment Day event is ‘Promotion of biofuels for a better environment’.
The Prime Minister said that ethanol has emerged as one of the priorities of 21st century India as it positively impacts the environment and rural economy. He underlined the Government of India’s resolve to meet the target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025 against the original target of 2030.
“Till 2014, on an average, only 1.5% of ethanol could be blended in India, but now it has gone up to 8.5%. This increase in ethanol procurement has immensely benefitted the sugarcane farmers of the country,” noted Mr. Modi. He pointed out that while most of the ethanol manufacturing units are concentrated in four-five states where sugar production is high, food grain-based distilleries are being established across the whole country to expand this movement.
The Prime Minister said that India is a strong proponent of climate justice and is moving ahead with ideas such as the founding of the International Solar Alliance for realising the vision of One Sun, One World, One Grid and the
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the E-100 pilot project in Pune for production and distribution of ethanol across the country on the occasion of World Environment Day.
IndianOil NEWS | June 2021 | 3
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure initiative. Mr. Modi elaborated on the nation’s fight against
climate change. He noted that India is among the top 10 countries of the world in the Climate Change Performance Index. “Economy and ecology can go together. This is the path that India has chosen. India is also aware of the challenges that are being faced due to climate change and is also working actively,” reassured Mr. Modi.
On a bright note, India’s capacity for renewable energy has increased by more than 250% in the last six to seven years. Today, India is among the top five countries of the world in terms of installed renewable energy capacity. The capacity of solar energy has increased by about 15 times in the last six years; giving away 37 crore LED bulbs and more than 23 lakh energy efficient fans, providing free electricity and cooking gas connections to cut household pollution has helped the cause. The Prime Minister said, “The common man of the country has led the pro-environment campaign through missions such as avoiding single-use plastic, beach cleaning, and Swachh Bharat.”
The Prime Minister said clean and efficient energy systems, resilient urban infrastructure, and planned eco- restoration are a very important part of the Aatmanirbhar
The event saw the participation of Cabinet Ministers and senior PSU officials.
Bharat campaign. Referring to the economic plus sides of these efforts, new investment opportunities meant there are also job opportunities for the youth. “India is working with a holistic approach through the National Clean Air Plan to curb air pollution,” he noted.
The Prime Minister announced that the Government has identified 11 sectors that can make good use of resources by recycling them through modern technology. “We will be able to give a safe environment to our coming generations only when every citizen of the country makes a united effort to maintain the balance of water, air, and land,” he concluded.
Economy and ecology can go together. This is
the path that India has chosen. India is also
aware of the challenges that are being faced due
to climate change and is also working actively
— Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
LeaderSpeak
The pandemic has triggered a few positive social changes too. The urgent need to restore the ecological balance of the planet has been a key realisation brought in by the pandemic.
The theme for this year’s World Environment Day — Ecosystem Restoration — amplifies the global concern for the fast degrading ecosystem and the need for firm action to reset our relationship with Mother Earth. The celebrations this year will also launch the ‘UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’.
Ecosystem restoration can take many forms, such as growing trees, green cities, changing diets, cleaning up rivers and coasts, and adopting a sustainable lifestyle. To this end, we are witnessing concerted efforts, and the current decade is set to accelerate existing global restoration goals. For example, at the UNFCC Conference of the Parties (COP) 2015 in Paris, India had joined the voluntary Bonn Challenge and pledged to restore about 21 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030.
Talking of IndianOil, our environmental stewardship philosophy is reflected in the firm mandate to ensure safe operations at our refineries and installations, strict adherence to the SOPs & environmental norms, and enriching the lives of the communities and stakeholders.
As a global corporate citizen that deeply embraces nature, IndianOil and its R&D Centre have been at the forefront to catalyse the corporate journey to reduce its carbon footprint. This metamorphosis has been laid on the foundation of extensively researched, meticulously designed, and robustly validated technologies and products to provide the much-needed engineering prowess and firm-footing to IndianOil towards approaching the Net Zero emissions goal.
Moving forward, the decarbonisation strategies of IndianOil would be based on the pillars of energy efficiency, alternative fuels and energy sources, and CO
2 capture and
the existing fleet of vehicles, thereby lowering carbon emissions.
—Dr. SSV Ramakumar, Director (R&D)
—Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman
“Decarbonisation strategies of IndianOil would be based on the pillars of energy efficiency”
“The current decade is set to accelerate existing global restoration goals”
Like every year, since 1974, World Environment Day 2021 was celebrated this year with much zeal and enthusiasm. The slogan Reimagine. Recreate. Restore. reverberated across the world and many pledges and pacts were made to work towards restoring the environment in order to create a better future for the planet
A Chance for Tomorrow
June 5, 2021 marked a special day for Earth. For one, it commenced the beginning of the United Nations
Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. This year’s theme, Ecosystem Restoration, is a bid to halt and reverse the deterioration of environmental ecosystems worldwide. This initiative calls everyone — governments, corporations, and
citizens — to do their part in healing our ailing planet. It involves restoring forests, farmlands, cities, wetlands, and oceans, which is crucial to the survival of life on the planet.
The last few years have seen a rise in hostile incidents, many of which are consequences of human activities. The recent bushfires in Brazil, the United States, and Australia, the
The Big Picture Every
3 seconds the world loses enough forest to cover a football pitch
of the world’s wastewater is discharged
to oceans and rivers without treatment
80% 87%
Wetlands are being drained for agriculture, with some
300 years Source: https://www.un.org
swarms of locusts ravaging crops in the Horn of Africa and Asia, heavy flash floods across India, the destruction of coral reefs in Australia, and extinction of species of plants and animals, coupled with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlight that the theme for the year is relevant than ever.
Sure, the task at hand is colossal, and restoration needs to be accelerated. There are trees to be planted, forests and wildlife to be protected, rivers and oceans to be cleaned, ice caps to be saved from melting, pollutants to be prevented from entering the sea and the atmosphere…the list goes on. However, if it’s any consolation, India is already ahead of the curve. The country has been working towards staying true to its commitment as per the Paris Agreement and a slew of environment-friendly initiatives are being run across the country.
On the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi said that India has advanced the target date for achieving 20% ethanol-blending in petrol from 2030 to 2025 as it looks to cut carbon emissions and reduce reliance on foreign oil. India’s tree and forest cover increased by 5,188 sq km in 2019, according to the India State of Forest Report 2019.
IndianOil, too, has been at the forefront in energy conservation, renewable energy, and switching to green fuels. In September 2020, IndianOil launched India’s first H-CNG Plant, with an H-CNG dispensing station up and running in New Delhi. IndianOil R&D is scaling up hydrogen and fuel-cell research. IndianOil is also in the process of setting up 1 MTPD pilot plants based on four innovative hydrogen production technologies.
When it comes to saving the planet every little and big deed adds to save ourselves, and the environment for a better tomorrow.
Renewable Energy Until March 2021, IndianOil solarised 18,336 retail outlets with a cumulative solar power installed capacity of ~102.4 MW. Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) capacity of ~9.6 MW has been added during FY 2020- 21 in Retail Outlets.
Currently, IndianOil has a portfolio of 232.65 MW of renewable energy including 167.6 MW of wind capacity and 65.05 MW of solar PV capacity. The solar capacity includes, 23.6 MW of grid connected solar PV projects and 41.4 MW of off-grid capacity. During FY 2020-21, solar PV capacity of 6.23 MW has been added which include 2 MW at Madanpur Khadar; 1.88 MW at Paradip Refinery; and 0.64 MW at Mathura Refinery.
The total generation from these projects during April ’20 - March ’21 was 329.46 GWh which resulted in emission mitigation of 273.45 tonnes of carbon- dioxide equivalent. The total renewable energy generated forms about 5% of the total electricity consumption of the Corporation.
Used Cooking Oil (UCO) to Biodiesel Rapidly biodegradable and completely non-toxic, biodiesel is an alternative fuel similar to conventional or ‘fossil’ diesel. It can be produced from vegetable oil, animal fats, tallow, and waste cooking oil. As of
April 31, 2021, IndianOil has received 26 offers from the entrepreneurs for producing bio-diesel from UCO with annual cumulative capacity of ~263 TKL. The Letter of Intent for 23 plants has been issued by IndianOil with annual cumulative capacity of ~229 TKL of biodiesel from UCO. IndianOil has received 71KL of UCO-biodiesel at its Tikrikalan terminal in New Delhi in FY 2020-21.
Grain-based Ethanol This project aims to convert the surplus rice stocks across the country available with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to ethanol. IndianOil is planning to set up 1G Ethanol bio-refineries each with a capacity of 500 KLPD in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Similarly, IndianOil is poised to set up a 2G Ethanol Plant at Panipat at an estimated gross cost of approximately `909 crore. Paddy straw is identified as the major feedstock for this project.
Sustainable Development at IndianOil Carbon and water footprinting for all IndianOil locations and installations have been carried out for the first time. For 2019-20, the carbon footprint was 19.54 mmt of carbon dioxide equivalent (TMTCO
2 e) and
freshwater footprint was 98.2 billion litres. • 32 events were made carbon neutral by planting more than 2,202 trees in 2020-21.
IndianOil’s Green Initiatives
5 Lifestyle Changes to Help the Environment Here’s how you can swap your everyday essentials with eco-friendly versions. These are not just easy on the pockets, but also environment-friendly
Compostable tableware: Get rid of plastic crockery that takes hundreds of years to decompose. Using biodegradable tableware can go a long way in saving the environment.
Bamboo toothbrush: Start small. Replace that plastic toothbrush with a bamboo one. Make sure that the bamboo used is organically grown and retains its natural antibacterial properties.
Compostable garbage bags: These are commonly available and cost only a little more than their polythene counterpart. This investment is not just worthwhile but highly essential.
Biodegradable sanitary pads: Sanitary napkins are one of the most common components clogging the country’s drains and landfills. Biodegradable sanitary pads are a great alternative and will help ease up India’s sewage system.
Eco-friendly straws: Yes, those plastic straws are a menace and you do not want to add to the mess. Opt for recyclable and reusable options such as paper/bamboo or steel straws.
Giving Impetus to Waste to Energy
Compressed biogas A New Revolution in Transportation Fuel
5,000 CBG plants by 2024
$20 billion total investment
15 mmt CBG production
Cover Story
Strengthening Natural Gas Infrastructure Making India a gas-based economy
Ensuring Universal Access To Clean Cooking Fuel Paradigm shift towards a clean and sustainable energy future
Geographical Areas
938
3101
The Government of India is working on mission-mode to provide access to clean cooking fuel to every household in the country.
Remarkable surge in LPG penetration
8.01 crore LPG connections issued to
beneficiary households under PMUY
announced under Union Budget 2021
2021: 99.6%2014: 55%
FiIip to deployment of alternative fuels, such as ethanol and
biodiesel
plying on H-CNG
Hydrogen initiated
hydrogen as fuel
Syngas and other environment- friendly and efficient forms of energy are being
developed through clean
air batteries
India has advanced the target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol by 2025,
from 2030
India is targeting 5% blending of bio diesel in diesel by 2030, including by
conversion of used cooking
energy portfolio
in the last six years
India is preparing for massive electrification of the transport
sector
to energy transition is reflective from the establishment of
International Solar Alliance,
which aims at mobilising more than a trillion dollar investment globally by 2030 for the deployment of solar energy
India achieved 100% electrification of households in the
country
India is well on track to achieve 450 GW target of
renewable energy generating
capacity by 2030
Increasing Share Of
driven by 2030
The Value of Ecosystems
1/3rdof the mitigation needed by 2030 to keep global warming below 2°C can be achieved through restoration and other natural solutions
15% of converted lands, if restored in the right places, could prevent 60% of projected species extinctions
50% of the world’s GDP is dependent on nature and every dollar invested in restoration creates up to $30 in economic benefits
2 billion (least estimate) people depend on the agricultural sector for their livelihoods, particularly underprivileged and rural populations
1/3rd of the world’s largest cities get their drinking water through forests. Forests also support 80% of all amphibians, 75% of all birds, and 68% mammal species
30% of global soil carbon is stored by peatlands
17 of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved by their 2030 target date through the contributions of ecosystem restoration
0.5°C to 2.0°C reduction of summer maximum air temperature occurs due to street trees, benefiting at least 68 million people
Cover Story
Impact Of Degradation On Human Well-Being $10 trillion in global GDP could be lost by 2050 if
ecosystem services continue to decline
Ecosystem Degradation
10 million hectares of forests are being lost around the world every year
$6 trillion a year in lost food production
and other ecosystem services occurs due to soil erosion and other forms of degradation
30% of natural freshwater ecosystems have disappeared since 1970
$9 trillion in net benefits can be created by meeting the Bonn Challenge goal of
restoring 350 million hectares of degraded and deforested
lands around the world
$2.5 billion–$2.6 billion in additional ecosystem service
benefits per year can be attained through restoring coral reefs in Mesoamerica
and Indonesia
costs could be saved through restoration of forests and other
watershed ecosystems
Sustainable Travel Guide
Reduce Food and Plastic Waste: Single-use plastic bottles are the culprit here. Reduce the waste generated by bringing your own flasks instead of opting for sealed water bottles at every stop.
Vocal For Local: Buying or eating the local produce encourages small businesses. What other way to know a city better than eating food whipped up by local chefs? This applies to buying local goods as well.
Keep a Tote Bag Handy: If you’re going to travel, chances are that you’re going to shop. Politely decline plastic bags and use your cloth tote bag when you’re out and about.
Stop Changing Towels/Linen: If you do not practise this at home, chances are you do not need bedsheets and towels daily. When it comes to doing your bit for the environment, using the same towel and linen throughout your stay is an easy choice. This means saving up on water and energy. Big win!
Support Local Busins
The disruptive impact of natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, and cyclones means people lose their lives, or are displaced from their homes in a bid to escape the disaster. However, we can mitigate disasters if we are more mindful of our actions. Here are a few tips… By KK Sharma, ED (Sustainable Development), Mktg. Div. HO
Since 1780, average global temperature has increased by about 0.9°C. Oceans have warmed, ice
caps have been melting faster than ever, and sea level has risen. Since 1901, average sea level rise is about 19 cm due to global warming. The Arctic Ocean ice extent has shrunken in every successive decade since 1979, with 1.07 million km2 of ice loss every decade. Industries cause a quarter of total greenhouse gas emissions. Concentration of CO
2 is nearly 412 ppm—
about 41% increase, half of which is since 1980 and one quarter since 2000. Concentrations of methane have increased 2.5 times, almost, since 1980.
India may lose up to 1.7% of its GDP if the annual mean temperature rises by 1°C compared to pre- industrialisation level. About 54% of India faces high to extremely high-water stress. All these may result in changes in weather patterns, cyclonic
disturbances, sea-level rise, change in agriculture yields, changes in fresh water supplies, impacts on forests, natural ecosystems, and human health.
Although natural calamities, such as earthquakes, cyclones, tsunami, floods, cloud bursts, and excessive thermal variations have occurred throughout Earth’s history, their frequency and the intensity have multiplied in the recent past. Global warming, resource depletion, and increasing pollution generally emanates from increasing population, ambitious lifestyles, ever- increasing needs, and the greed and careless attitude of humans. Excessive use of energy and water for mining, exploration, and procurement of natural resources has its own burden on the already depleting resources.
A careful glance of recent calamities presents a disturbing picture in terms of impacts, disruptions, fatalities, and financial losses.
Nature Has Its Say
Month/Year Calamity Location Fatalities
Sep ’93 Earthquake Latur 10,000
Jan ’01 Earthquake Bhuj 20,000
Oct ’99 Cyclone Odisha 10,000
Jun ’13 Flood Uttarakhand 5,700
Jul ’05 Flood Mumbai 1,100
Besides the above-mentioned impact on environment and nature due to excessive industrialisation, urbanisation, and increased population, there are also other reasons leading to such calamities. For example, man-made changes to environment — deforestation, destruction of wetlands, changes made to waterways, and pollution- related changes such as climate change and rise in sea level — increase the intensity and frequency of floods.
Having understood brief rationales behind these calamities and also indirect factors on the environmental front, it is still not in the utter control of human beings to bypass or avoid possibilities of such catastrophic events having vast adverse impacts on humanity and life. This is despite over 5,000 years of civilisation coupled with large scale developments and industrialisation in the recent past with added information technology, automation, and meteorological data. Humanity is at the mercy of nature, except for some limited contingencies and post-calamity damage control exercises. One can only keep tab on developments based on forecast and take all possible measures not to control the calamity but only to safeguard its people and infrastructure interests.
It is evident that how we deal with nature and the environment has tremendous impact on the way nature may respond. Although direct linkages are not established for every event, it provides fairly good directional inputs on expectations from human beings. In the given situation and to endeavour our best to protect humanity and facilities, we could take a few
steps/initiatives in the medium to long term: • Bring and spread higher awareness on sustainable
development • Align with SDGs/INDCs and government directives/
policy framework effectively • Draw only needful resources and review existing
consumptions • Material conservation and waste management • Efficient water management including recycling
and capturing rains • Depend more on renewable sources of energy • Energy efficiency and continuous improvement on
utilisation and application • Avoid building emotional empire at the cost of
nature just to impress others Despite low predictability on environmental issues
and related events, there is enough evidence, data, past experience, and best practices one can leverage to put things on track and save environment and humanity at large.
A few major calamities over three decades:
Flooding due to clogged drains is a common sight in cities such as Mumbai.
Spotlight
IndianOil presented its core value of Care by stepping in to provide access to clean water to people across Medinipur, Janta Bazar and Bishnupur
By Anita Shrivastava, CGM (CC, Hindi & CSR), RHQ
Medinipur in West Bengal has been reeling under acute water shortage crisis. “Every day, we had
to trek for several kilometres to collect drinking water from the muddy streams and rivulets. Today, we cannot believe that our problems are over. It is a dream come true for us,” says Phulmai resident of Medinipur, the forest village on the Indo-Bhutan border. She says the people in her community echo the same sentiment. Narrating the earlier, daily nightmare of fetching water, she says, “I used to wake up early in the morning to fetch water from the river which is around five km away from my home.” She and others in her community in Chirang district would walk for hours daily to fetch water for household tasks but that wasn’t the end of their troubles.“ The water was unclean and often caused water-borne diseases and
many people in my community suffered from typhoid and dysentery,” laments Phulmai.
Sometimes, Phulmai would be late returning home after this daily ritual, and it meant that her children would leave for school on an empty stomach. Her children, too, had to join her in sourcing water.
Medinipur, Janta Bazar, and Bishnupur are remote villages on the Indo-Bhutan border at the foothills of the Himalayas. Until recently, these villages were inconspicuous dots on the map of Chirang district, Bodoland Territorial Council, Assam, with no internet access.
Some of the existing tubewells are also broken and they dry up during the summer months. To make matters worse, these areas are located in places
Beneficiaries in three districts in West Bengal have access to drinking water through IndianOil's project.
Water
where militant outfits were highly active. Sensing their need, the District
Administration intervened and placed a proposal with Bongaigaon Refinery for construction of drinking water supply facilities at Janta Bazar, Medinipur, and Bishnupur. The CSR Team of the refinery surveyed the location and proposed construction of deep bore tubewells. The project was completed by the District Administration within a record time of three months with financial support from IndianOil.
“When our Gaon Bura (village headman) told us about the water project by IndianOil, we didn’t believe it would happen, until we saw people actually constructing the water system. Now we have water a few metres from our houses,” Phulmai delightfully adds.
“The incidences of diseases such as typhoid and diarrhoea, etc., have come down, and children are able to spend more time concentrating on their studies instead of fetching water. I can now take care of my children, send them to school and feed them nutritious meals,” Phulmai beams, adding that now she can spend more time with her family, and can provide for her kids’ future.
Phulmai and many residents of the villages located in the Indo-Bhutan border area are fulfilling their dreams through IndianOil’s vision of improving people’s lives even in the remotest corners of our country, while ensuring that their basic requirements are met.
By providing access to clean water to more than 6,000 people of the community, this initiative has helped them live their lives with dignity. The installation of these water systems in the villages may seem a very tiny speck in the broad horizon but it brought about a momentous change in the lives of the beneficiaries. Bongaigaon Refinery takes pride in this project executed in the IndianOil spirit of ‘Pehle Indian, Phir Oil’.
This drinking water project provides clean water to 6,000 people.
Spotlight
By Balakrishna Naik, GM (CC & CSR), SRPL
Locals in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu are now able to fetch clean drinking water from the kiosks
established near their houses through IndianOil’s CSR project. Helmed by IIT-Madras under their International Centre for Clean Water (ICCW) initiative, Capacitive De- Ionization (CDI) method was implemented in remote villages of Veppalodai and Vedapatti in Tuticorin and Vagaikulam in Ramanathapuram.
The groundwater in these districts has a moderately high quantity of total dissolved solids (TDS) and a Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant is not ideal in such cases. A typical RO plant rejects more than 50% of the water, which is not sustainable in a water-scarce region. It helps that the water wastage in this CDI system during treatment is a maximum of 20%.
Clean drinking water is provided to the community through CDI system, which retains essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium. The water kiosks are powered by solar panels installed on the roof, which is further a step towards reduced carbon footprint. CDI kiosks operate at low pressures, thereby resulting in low operating costs for consumers.
Electrodes are used in CDI water purification technology to remove the charged ion species from aqueous solutions. The feed water is deionised by applying an electrical potential difference over two electrodes, which are made of porous carbon. Anions are removed from the water and are stored in the positively polarised electrode. Likewise, cations are stored in the cathode, which is the negatively polarised electrode. The charged particles are electrostatically held in the double layer until the discharging step, where the external power supply is shorted, or its polarity reversed thereby delivering pure drinking water
Previously, the women would trek several miles to fetch pure drinking water. Cases of chronic diseases due to the use of untreated water were quite prevalent. Today, the residents can access drinking water by swiping a card for a nominal payment. Encouraged by the positive results of this project, Southern Region Pipelines of IndianOil is establishing three more water kiosks in the villages in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
CDI technology brings clean water to villages in Tamil Nadu
(Left) IndianOil officials with the beneficiaries of the clean water initiative. (Right) A water dispensing unit jointly developed with IIT-Madras.
IndianOil’s intervention to bring clean, drinking water at a high school in rural West Bengal has changed the lives of students, staff, and local residents alike By Arup Das, DGM (CC), ERO
Sitanagar High School, located in Murshidabad district of rural West Bengal houses 1,674 students, who are
mainly from economically weaker sections. Back in 2018, a water test report from the tube well of
the school, submitted by the school authority, indicated high levels of arsenic, making the water unsafe for human consumption. Subsequently, the Headmaster submitted a request to the authorities for providing clean, arsenic- free drinking water facility at the school.
Accordingly, a proposal was initiated by IndianOil — under its CSR initiative — for the setting up of an arsenic treatment plant along with two water storage tanks of 1,000 litres each and other allied facilities at the school. This project is providing good quality, potable water to the students and the staff of the school, and this has had a positive impact on their health. In fact, taking the IndianOil team’s advice, the school has allowed the children to carry water to their homes, thereby extending the benefits of this initiative to their family members as well. The school authority has also allowed nearby residents to use this treated water for drinking purpose. This gesture, on the part of IndianOil, was widely appreciated by the locals.
Speaking to IndianOil on the occasion of World Environment Day 2021, Mr. Ibrahim Mandal,
The presence of arsenic in quantities beyond the permissible limit causes or increases the risk of numerous illnesses such as skin disease, skin cancer, and diseases of the lungs, bladder, and the vascular system. As per a report titled ‘Slow Poison’ published in The Hindu BusinessLine, “Arsenic and fluoride contaminated water has condemned millions to live wasted lives in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.”
Jal Hi Jeevan – A Clean Water Initiative
Spotlight
IndianOil’s water treatment plant at the Sitanagar High School.
Students utilising the drinking water facility.
Headmaster, Sitanagar High School said, “There is a drastic reduction in the occurrence of water-related diseases among students after the commissioning of filtration facilities at school.” He expressed gratitude to IndianOil for this “noble venture.”
Spotlight
Effect, has been creating widespread awareness and winning hearts.
On June 4, 2021, more than 140 IOCians joined Mr. Smetacek on a virtual tour of his Butterfly Research Centre as part of the World Environment Day observations. Mr. Smetacek displayed thousands of species of butterflies and moths and introduced the audience to wonderful creatures such as the atlas
moth, the oakleaf butterflies, and many other species. As Mr. Smetacek sat down outside his office, in the heart
of the forest, to interact with the IOCians and narrate his stories on ecosystem restoration, he had an ensemble
before him. From kids aged six to senior officials, everyone was hooked to his narrative. The session was more of an emotional connect than a technical
outpour as Mr. Smetacek dived into storytelling mode, backed by sudden walks into the
other parts of the forests, picking up a leaf from the ground and sharing its role in the environment and deriving logical implications from mythological stories.
The crowd was left mesmerised. It isn’t every
day that you witness a thought-provoking
question from a seven-year old. Peter’s talk’s provided his audiences with some real food for thought.
Having dedicated his entire life to the study of butterflies, Peter Smetacek is a revered figure among environmentalists and climate change activists
By Sworaj Kumar Boral, Asst. Manager (L&D), Mktg. Div. HO
He doesn’t like being called the ‘Butterfly Man of India’. But those who interact with Mr. Peter Smetacek
beg to differ. He could identify butterflies even before he could read and write.
A man with many firsts in his field, Mr. Smetacek published India’s first catalogue for butterflies in 2015. He also founded the Butterfly Research Centre in Bhimtal. He continues to manage India’s largest private collection of butterflies and moths at the Research Centre. He has published over 100 research papers on environment, more than 60 of which are on moths and butterflies.
It is safe to say Mr. Smetacek is an authority on butterflies. His expertise on the subject has made him a guardian consultant globally, the Oxford University included. Mr. Smetacek was also the first in the country to propose butterflies as bio-indicators, i.e., how the movement and population of butterflies in a region determines the environmental health of that area. His numerous talks, TEDx being one of them, on the much-celebrated theme, The Butterfly
The Butterfly Effect
Spotlight
is home to 3,500-plus specimens of butterflies
and moths. Having carefully preserved some of the
most unique and interesting specimens from the world of
lepidoptera, his collection is a treat to the eyes. A passion he inherited from his father, he has preserved, nurtured,
and evolved it into one of the largest butterfly museums in the country, and it deserves an addition to any nature lover’s
travel diary.
country. We have learnt to understand how to live with nature.” It was only in December 2020 that Dr. Narain released findings related to adulterated honey sold by Indian brands.
Reiterating that we are not as powerful as nature and cannot rebuild nature according to our will, Dr. Narain strongly felt that COVID-19 shows that it is time to rethink our lifestyle. Calling it the silent pandemic, she spoke about how overuse of antibiotics is leading to a health crisis. She remarks, “The message is clear: we need to value the oxygen that we get from trees. You cannot value human beings until you value trees.”
Complimenting the oil companies for the extraordinary work they undertook to improve fuel standards, going from BS-IV to BS-VI and the effort taken by refineries to be able to repurpose themselves to give clean fuel, Dr. Narain lauded their efforts. She noted that this will indeed play a big role in cleaning up a large part of the country. She concluded, “Climate change is for real. In an inequitable scenario, if we don’t recognise that we live in an inter-dependent world, we won’t have one anymore.”
Padma Shri Dr. Sunita Narain urges for a rethink in lifestyle By S Kishore, Officer (CC), WRO
The United Nations 2021-30 decade is building a strong, broad-based global
movement to ramp up restoration and put the world on track for a
sustainable future. The planet Earth is poised for battle to preserve its serenity.
The environment needs our love and care, more than ever before. We must
accelerate efforts to clean ecosystem and bring it back to good health”.
—SS Bose, ED (RS), WREminent Indian environmentalist Padma Shri Dr. Sunita Narain addressed a webinar on World
Environment Day, organised by Marketing Division, Western Region; Dr. Narain spoke about Ecosystem Restoration, a subject close to her heart.
Dr. Narain, who is also the Director General of the Centre for Science & Environment (CSE), said that environmental consciousness is relevant more than ever in today’s times. “It’s time we walk the talk. The last few months have shown us how much we value the term O
2 . We take oxygen for granted — we have
witnessed how people gasped for breath and died because of lack of oxygen.”
She hopes that in the coming times, our relationship with nature gets stronger. She philosophises, “We, as human beings, have such a dystopian relationship with nature. When we talk of restoring ecosystems, we must also talk about restoring our relationship with nature.”
Dr. Narain advocated the evaluation of food and understanding about what goes into our body under the guise of it. She explained, “We don’t discuss about how we manufacture our food. Food is nature. Today, we talk about restoring bio- diversity and the ecosystem. Food is a reflection of the bio-diversity that exists in the world, in our
Climate Change: ‘It is time we walk the talk’
Padma Shri Dr. Sunita Narain addressed IOCians on Ecosystem Restoration.
Spotlight
Innerscape
Click to play video
Catch the MoU Awards ceremony here.
Chairman lauds IndianOil’s Winning Spirit at the Annual MoU Awards 2020-21 Ceremony
M r. SM Vaidya, Chairman presented the Annual MoU Awards 2020-21 in an online
ceremony, where outstanding performers based on the MoU 2020-21 targets were felicitated. The MoUs signed by state heads, refinery heads and pipeline unit heads with the respective directors reflect the deliverables across the entire gamut of operations. The targets are in line with the thrust areas of the year based on business dynamics, Government directions, Government MoU targets, and other relevant factors. Multiple new categories were also introduced this year to recognise some outstanding performers on parameters that required special focus.
“Despite the challenging times, Team IndianOil performed exceptionally on MoU parameters. I salute their spirit. We have also notched up record profit this year. It was possible only due to spectacular efforts put in by each IOCian. I am extremely proud to be the captain of such a wonderful team. Our people moved mountains last year, and we went beyond the call of duty to keep the entire supply chain working. These MoU rewards their spectacular performance and aims to
Chairman SM Vaidya commends the efforts of IOCians across Divisions who outperformed despite facing stiff challenges
motivate all teams to perform equally well in the coming years,” reflected Chairman.
Chairman delved that Team IndianOil has been working relentlessly despite the ongoing wave of COVID-19. “IndianOil’s contributions beyond business priorities are well-acknowledged at all levels. I compliment every IOCian for rising to the occasion and contributing to streamlining of liquid oxygen supply in the country.”
From left: RK Mohapatra, Director (HR); GK Satish, Director (P&BD); SM Vaidya, Chairman; Dr. SSV Ramakumar, Director (R&D); and SK Gupta, Director (Finance) participating in the MoU Awards ceremony virtually.
MoU Award Category Winner
3 Refinery with Least Interruptions under Category-I Mathura
4 Refinery with Least Interruptions under Category-II Guwahati and Bongaigaon
5 Refinery with Best Safety Performance under Category-I Gujarat
6 Refinery with Best Safety Performance under Category-II Barauni
Marketing
8 Best Performing State Office (1st Runners-Up) Tamil Nadu
9 Best Performing State Office (2nd Runners-Up) West Bengal
10 Maximum Gain in MS (R) Market Share on Industry Basis - State Office Punjab
11 Maximum Gain in HSD (R) Market Share on Industry Basis - State Office Punjab
12 Maximum Gain in MS (R) Market Share on Industry Basis - Divisional Office (Winner)
Sangrur DO
13 Maximum Gain in MS (R) Market Share on Industry Basis - Divisional Office (1st Runners-Up)
Haldia DO
14 Maximum Gain in HSD (R) Market Share on Industry Basis - Divisional Office Sangrur DO
15 Highest Number of Commissionings of Retail Outlets - State Office Madhya Pradesh
16 Highest Number of Commissionings of Retail Outlets - Divisional Office Indore DO
17 Best Asset Utilization under Retail (least % of Nil Selling / Low Selling ROs) Delhi
18 Best performing State Office in Institutional Business (excluding State Transport Corporations)
Gujarat
19 Best Performing State Office in LPG Business (NDNE Category) Uttar Pradesh-II
20 Best Performing Area Office in LPG Business (NDNE Category) Agra AO
21 Highest Incremental Lube Volume (State Office) Gujarat
22 Best Performance in Aviation Quality Control Index Southern Region
23 Best Performing State Office - Safety Index of operating locations - Terminals, Depots and BPs
Rajasthan
Pipelines
25 Region with Maximum (%) reduction in Specific Energy Consumption WRPL
26 Highest Achievement in terms of % target of ROW SERPL
27 Highest Achievement in terms of % target of welding WRPL & SERPL
28 Highest Achievement in terms of % target of lowering of Pipelines WRPL
29 Region with Minimum losses on account of Pilferage SRPL
30 Best Performing Region - Safety Index of Pipelines WRPL
Innerscape
MoP&NG inaugurates compressed biogas initiatives
Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, launched multiple initiatives
to provide major fillip to Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme on June 1, 2021. Mr. Tarun Kapoor, Secretary, MoP&NG; and Mr. SM Vaidya, Chairman; also attended the virtual event.
The event witnessed signing of a Cooperation Agreement by Oil and Gas majors including IndianOil, HPCL, BPCL, GAIL, and IGL, to promote and develop SATAT. The scheme aims to set up Compressed BioGas (CBG) production plants and make it available as green fuel. The initiative aims a target production of 15 mmt of compressed biogas (CBG) from 5,000 plants by 2023. The plants will generate an investment of `1.75 lakh crore, an additional revenue source to farmers. This also means 75,000 direct and lakhs of indirect job opportunities.
Mr. Pradhan also signed MoUs with Essar Capital Limited, XEMX Projects, Knowledge Integration Services, and Global Green Growth Institute, Seoul, to set up new CBG plants across the country. Mr. Pradhan laid the foundation stones of five upcoming CBG plants across Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Mr. Pradhan also commissioned CBG plants and dedicated CBG-selling Retail Outles in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Ludhiana. He also inaugurated the injection of CBG into Gujarat Gas City Gas Distribution pipeline network.
Mr. Pradhan said,“ India is committed to harnessing the full potential of biofuels to realise Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s vision of reducing import dependence and ensuring a sustainable energy future for the nation. The CBG programme under SATAT has gained momentum, but the growth has to be exponential, not incremental,” he remarked. He also underlined that oil and gas PSUs need to play a more responsible role with setting up of infrastructure, handholding small entrepreneurs, and convincing the big companies to set up mega-clusters for the CBG. “India should play a global leadership role in energy conversion, as we convert agro-residues/municipal wastes and green wastes into energy,” he noted.
Mr. Vaidya, said, ”India is betting big on biogas through the SATAT initiative. This landmark event is yet another milestone in our journey of implementing the SATAT scheme.”
The Cooperation agreement also establishes a strong network for marketing the entire produced quantity from CBG plants through various channels. There’s also provision for associate implementers to join the SATAT movement. As per the agreement, IndianOil shall act as coordinator under the SATAT scheme and liaison with the Government and other agencies on behalf of industry members.
The website, satat.co.in, which will provide a digital boost to the programme, was also unveiled during the event. It will be a resource centre for new and existing CBG plants and SATAT. The portal also contains learning modules where presentations and videos have been made accessible.
Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel; and SM Vaidya, Chairman; highlighting the initiatives for biogas adoption.
Multiple MoUs signed between Government of Gujarat and IndianOil
Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel; and Mr. Vijay Rupani,
Chief Minister of Gujarat, presided over the signing of MoU for investment promotion between the Government of Gujarat and IndianOil. The MoU was for setting up Petrochemical and Lube Integration (LuPech) Project and Acrylics/Oxo Alcohol Project along with infrastructure projects at the Gujarat Refinery.
The MoU for these high investment projects were signed by Mr. MK Das, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister, Industry & Mines; and Mr. Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil.
With the additional three MMTPA expansion of Gujarat Refinery from 13.7 MMPTA to 18 MMTPA, the refinery will have 21% petrochemical capacity. “India is the third largest consumer of energy and by 2030, we will be at the number one spot. Gujarat implemented gas in their energy mix which today is 26% of the state's energy mix,” said Mr. Pradhan. IndianOil will also facilitate the development of emerging fuels, including setting up of India’s first hydrogen dispensing station in Gujarat as well as develop affordable housing complexes for migrant labour, shared Mr. Pradhan.
To set up Petrochemical and Lube Integration (LuPech) Project and Acrylics/Oxo Alcohol Project along with infrastructure projects at the Gujarat Refinery
Mr. Vaidya said, “Gujarat is charting a new path of prosperity, and to power the journey, IndianOil's Gujarat Refinery is now poised to grow to 18 MMTPA capacity. New units for the production of Polypropylene, Butyl Acrylate and Lube Oil Base stocks will also be added to the refinery's portfolio.”
The Acrylics/Oxo Alcohol Project at Dumad and Gujarat Refinery will manufacture value-added Butyl Acrylate, a key ingredient for paints, coatings, adhesives, textile chemicals, Plasticizer industry, and other similar products. The Petrochemicals & Specialty products (Gr- II/III LOBS) integration index based on additional crude oil added under this project is estimated to be 20.7%.
An MoU was also signed for Infrastructure facilities at Dumad for Koyali-Ahmednagar-Solapur Pipeline (KAhSPL) and Tank Truck Loading facility for Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) — a feed-stock for detergent industries. The other infrastructure projects are New Flare System at Gujarat Refinery and a Hydrogen dispensing facility for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV).
IndianOil’s Gujarat Refinery will be implementing India’s first Hydrogen Dispensing Facility as a clean fuel initiative. The facility aims to start with Hydrogen buses
Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel; Vijay Rupani, Chief Minister of Gujarat; SM Vaidya, Chairman, and other senior officials at the MoU signing ceremony.
Innerscape
Asserting that the future of fuel retail is mobile, Mr. Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and
Natural Gas & Steel, said, “We are bringing in innovation in energy retailing and making
it mobile and delivering at the doorsteps.” On June 8, 2021, Mr. Pradhan said that the
government aims to move towards the concept of energy retailer where different
transport fuels — hydrogen, diesel, petrol, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied
natural gas (LNG) and EV batteries swapping facility — shall be available at a single point.
Mobile refuelling units can store up to 1,500 kg CNG and can fill 150 to 200 vehicles
per day and will help supply CNG in areas not yet connected through pipelines and at
places where there is shortage of land to set up conventional CNG stations.
Mr. Pradhan said that IndianOil is soon going to launch a hydrogen dispensing
station at its refinery in Vadodara. The government also aims to have 10,000 CNG retail
outlets in the next five years as the country plans to increase the share of gas in its
energy basket to 15% by 2030 from the current level of 6%. As on October 2020, there
were 2,434 CNG stations across the country.
‘Government aiming for composite energy retailing’plying between Vadodara and Kevadia/Sabarmati Ashram. These projects will enable direct and indirect employment opportunity during the peak construction period, and later for the operation of these facilities. The construction stage is likely to generate around 125 million man- hours of employment. The total investment outlook for these projects in different execution stages is approximately `24,000 crore.
continuous support for hospital admission, financial assistance, and ongoing efforts for getting customer attendants vaccinated at IndianOil’s cost. Mr. Vaidya emphasised the Corporation’s efforts to promote greener fuels such as
XP100, XP95, differentiated diesel, and biofuels, etc., at competitive rates in the market.
Chairman also highlighted on the importance of dealers being present at the forecourt to enhance customer satisfaction. “Focus on Q&Q by conducting regular Check and Fill campaigns, engaging with at least five customers daily, employing women customer attendants and specifically working towards bringing young customers to IndianOil outlets,” noted Mr. Vaidya.
Mr. SM Vaidya, Chairman, interacted with select Retail Outlet (RO) dealers of Gujarat State
Office at Ahmedabad. Mr. Vinay Kumar Misra, ED I/c (Coordination),CO; Mr. Sanjaya Bhatnagar, ED & Refinery Head, Gujarat Refinery; Mr. M Anna Durai, ED & State Head, GSO; and Mr. Sanjib Behera, CGM (RS), GSO; were also present at the meeting.
The dealers congratulated Chairman for the historic profits earned by the Corporation under his leadership. The dealer’s fraternity acknowledged IndianOil’s
Chairman interacts with dealers in Ahmedabad
SM Vaidya, Chairman, interacting with the dealers at Ahmedabad.
During his recent visit to Ahmedabad, Mr. SM Vaidya, Chairman, interacted with officers
at Gujarat State Office. Mr. M Anna Durai, ED & State Head, GSO; and functional HoDs were present at the event. Mr. Vaidya emphasised on striving to improve market share and encouraged the young IOCians to put forth their ideas and implement them on a small scale to ensure their workability
In an interactive session, Chairman also apprised the group about the various alternative energy initiatives that IndianOil has ventured into, such as Aluminium Air Battery technology, hydrogen, bio-ethanol, and compressed biogas. He spoke about setting up of fuelling facility for the environmentally cleanest fuel, i.e., hydrogen dispensing facility.
Chairman urges young IOCians to focus on improving market share
SM Vaidya, Chairman, addressing young IOCians at GSO.
our state-of-the-art R&D Centre. IndianOil StartUp has resulted in the filing of 39 joint patents, six copyrights, four trademarks and three designs for the country. The market valuation of the completed projects ranges between `20 crore to `216 crore.”
IndianOil promotes start-ups to nurture innovations: Director (HR)
RK Mohapatra, Director (HR), delivering the keynote address.
Mr. Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra, Director (HR), delivered the keynote address at the valedictory
session of CII's Start-Up Gurukul in June 2021. This platform aims to facilitate a start-up’s growth through innovation and industry support.
“In the face of this all-persuasive pandemic, entrepreneurs have to bear the brunt of realities that come with the New Normal. Entrepreneurs are fighters; they are optimistic and resilient by nature. They will overcome this difficult period because it is in their DNA to bounce back. Every crisis has an endpoint. Entrepreneurs shouldn’t shy away from attempting something new", noted Mr. Mohapatra.
IndianOil has been actively promoting start-ups with mentorship, strategy and funding to nurture an ecosystem conducive to innovations in the domestic hydrocarbons sector since 2016. Mr. Mohapatra said, “This scheme is age-and education-agnostic, and is spearheaded by
Innerscape
President (Marketing, Midstream & Processing), Equinor (formerly, StatOil of Norway), delivered the 14th edition of the Vyakhyan IndianOil LEADTALK series. The talk, organised as a run- up to World Environment
Day 2021, focused on Equinor’s journey towards decarbonisation. Mr. SM Vaidya, Chairman; directors and other senior officials also attended the talk.
Ms. Rummelhoff explained how carbon capture and storage (CCS) is the way forward. “For comprehensive decarbonisation, industries need to actively collaborate and participate,” she noted. Citing the cement industry, a major emitter of carbon dioxide, she said that carbon capture is the most viable solution.
Ms. Rommelhoff spoke in detail about
‘Cost of hydrogen production is going to come down significantly by 2030’ Irene Rummelhoff of Equinor delivers the 14th IndianOil LEADTALK series
Northern Lights, the world’s first open source CO 2
transportation and storage project. A joint effort by Equinor, Total, and Shell, the project decarbonises captured carbon from industrial plants. This compressed carbon dioxide is then transported by ship to permanent storage points and exported via offshore pipelines.
She suggested a three-fold formula to move on the path of decarbonisation: replace carbon intense fuels in transportation with gas; combine gas with renewables, and integrate hydrogen with renewable electricity. “Hydrogen’s utility for a greener tomorrow is going to increase as cost of hydrogen production is going to come down significantly by 2030,” she predicted.
Mr. Vaidya pointed out that from India’s perspective, decarbonisation would largely involve biofuels. The Chairman also informed that IndianOil is pioneering hydrogen economy in India by successfully demonstrating the efficacy of H-CNG as a transport fuel for commercial buses which is yielding great results in terms of fuel efficiency and reduction in carbon emissions.
Irene Rummelhoff.
QUIZ Answers for May Edition Quiz
3. IndianOil’s gross refining margin for 2020-2021 in US$ ____ per bbl - $5.64/bbl
4. Who was the guest speaker at the 13th Vyakhan IndianOil LEADTALK? - Capt. Raghu Raman
5. From which terminal was the first batch of XP95 flagged off from? - Tikrikalan Terminal
6. What is the tagline for XP95? - Upgrade, Unlock and Unleash
1. IndianOil’s Net Profit for the year 2020-21 is `_______ crore. - `21,836 crore
2. Name the Ahmedabad-based Retail Outlet channel partner who has been offering fuel to COVID-19 frontline workers at a discounted price - Ajay Jani
7. Which is the single window application used to monitor supply logistics of liquid oxygen in real time? - Sanjeevani Express
8. Kartikeya Srivastava decided to make the most of his free time by reading which book? - A Promised Land by Barack Obama
9. Where is the only LPG Bottling Plant in the state of Sikkim? - Rangpo
10. Who directed the film, The Shining? - Stanley Kubrick
Tackling Cyclone Yaas As India’s east coast faced the wrath of Cyclone Yaas, IOCians went beyond their call of duty to keep operations running
Cyclone Yaas whiplashed the eastern coast of India, while the country battles a devastating second
wave of COVID-19 infections. The Cyclone affected parts of West Bengal,
Jharkhand, and Odisha, destroying agricultural land, fishery, animal husbandry, and horticulture facilities. Many mud houses and temporary shelters were either damaged or destroyed completely.
After making landfall on May 26, 2021 at 11 am near Dhamra Port in Odisha, it weakened into a severe cyclonic storm by the time it circled around north coastal Odisha, around 15 km from Balasore. Spurred by the storm, the tide triggered high waves that crossed guard walls.
The situation in West Bengal was no different. The town of Digha and National Highway 116B lay flooded for several hours. In Haldia, the breach of an embankment on the Hooghly river flooded several large and small factories on the banks. Mr. SM Vaidya, Chairman, presided over high-level meetings ahead of the Cyclone’s landfall to review the preparedness of IndianOil installations to deal with the Cyclone.
Preparing for the cyclone The Corporation took proactive measures to ensure that there was minimal damage while ensuring that operations weren’t dented. Mobile dispensers were made available and Aviation Fuel Stations under the cyclonic zone were prepared to deal with the impact. Alternative provisions were kept at nearby AFSs as part of contingency plans. IndianOil’s chartered vessels were positioned away from the projected trajectory of the Cyclone. Tank truck filling operations at terminals and bottling plants were also put on hold.
The Haldia Refinery undertook several precautionary measures to ensure smooth operations to maintain uninterrupted operations and supply of fuels. Although there was no major damage in Haldia, the storm severely affected the nearby locations of Purba Medinipur. A round-the-clock control room was established to
monitor real-time progress of the cyclone. Emergency and essential services including transport, medical, security, water supply, power supply, fire & rescue services, and fire tenders including maintenance services were kept on stand-by.
Precautionary work in progress at Haldia Refinery.
Images from Balasore Depot.
Distribution of food items by Prabartan Fuel Station of Purba Medinipur District.
Distribution of relief materials by SS Gas service at Patherpratima in the Sunderbans.
All in the Family
Families across the country are adapting to the evolving changes in daily life caused by
the COVID-19 pandemic. While most schools, outdoor sports, places of public gathering, etc. are closed, children don’t have much to engage. This is when IOCians in SERPL, Bhubaneswar, devised ways to include interactive activities in the child’s routine.
They endeavoured to strike a chord with these young minds and make them learn about COVID-19-related precautionary measures through a fun activity with the concept: Bacche Jagenge…Coronavirus Bhagenge.
Participants could submit creatively clicked photographs of their children on COVID-19 prevention theme within a timeframe of two days. Entries started pouring in and the event witnessed enthusiastic response from employees. Participants dug deeper into
creative ideas and submitted thought-provoking clicks with an underlying message to ensure a safe and healthy environment. The contest was open for kids up to 15 years and results were declared in three categories (0-2, 2-8 and 8-15 years).
”The pandemic has caused major disruptions to daily life and children are feeling these changes deeply. It’s therefore important to be proactive in conversation with children and engage them in such creative activities,” appealed Mr. Sanjay Kumar V, ED, SERPL.
“We appreciate the interest shown by employees for this contest. Trying times like these have a profound impact on physical as well as mental well-being. Such initiatives provide us an excellent opportunity to bond as a family in a virtual way and reduce stress”, remarked Mr. S Patnaik, CGM (HR), SERPL.
Play: Brain’s favourite way of learning The outbreak of COVID-19 and its consequences can make children anxious and stressed. In these precarious times, SERPL, Bhubaneswar, came up with the creative IndianOil Warrior Kids Contest featuring IOCian wards
By Gaurav Jain, Manager (CSR), SERPL, Bhubaneswar
A G E G R O U P ( 0 - 2 Y E A R S )
First Prize Ayansh, S/o Subharthi Pal, SERPL, Paradip
Second Prize Izdaan, S/o Faisal Rahman, SERPL, Bhubaneswar
Third Prize Aarav, S/o Ajit Kumar, SERPL, Raipur
A G
E G
R O
U P
Second Prize Rihan, S/o Ranganath Sahoo, SERPL, Paradip Second Prize
Nishita and Harshita, D/o Gopalakrishna MK, SERPL, Hyderabad
Third Prize Yashaswi, D/o K Hemant Kumar, SERPL, Balasore
Third Prize Thishyaketh, S/o Sreenaiah Abimalla, SERPL, Vizag
First Prize Advik, S/o Akash Kesharwani, SERPL, Korba
First Prize Aarohi, D/o SS Gupta, SERPL, Balasore

, , 22.05.2021 " "-
, , 2021 “ : "
- ,
“ ” “ – ”
()
( ) , “ - , ‘ : ’ "

, ( )
. , , ,

“ ” ‘ ’ ,
, ‘ , , ’
, , () , ( )

- , ,

22-2021 “ ” 12 2021 11.00 , , (), , . , ( ), , ( , ), , ( ) .
, , -

“ , ” - - ,
, , ,
, ( , )
" “

19-
“ ” - 05 2021 Homeopathy - How Its Help During Covid ( ) 90 ,
-
‘
’ 2021 , , , ( ), , () . , , , () -

, , ()

,

Media Bytes
“Mixed doubles remains a realistic medal hope,” says nine-time men’s India champion and IOCian, Sharath Kamal, during an exclusive
interview by Rutvick Mehta for Hindustan Times
Sharath Kamal blooms as table tennis hits an ‘Indian high’
“I just wish,” Sharath Kamal says with a sigh, “this had come
around a decade ago.” ‘This’ is him feeling fit as a teen at 38; playing some of the best table tennis of his professional career close to two decades into it; being optimistic that his most productive Olympics — his fourth, the most out of the officially qualified Indian athletes so far — would be in Tokyo one year before he turns 40.
“But, better late than ever,” he adds. “I guess everything has its own course of time.”
Sharath’s time, incidentally, has coincided with a high in Indian table tennis. His best shot at an Olympic medal in the twilight of his prolonged career is also the country’s brightest chance yet of a first table tennis medal at the Games — in mixed doubles partnering Manika Batra. It comes after the record nine-time national champion’s growth as a player, which coincided with the sport’s performance and popularity reaching never-before-seen levels in India.
In Tokyo, Sharath will have G Sathiyan for company in singles, both being inside the top-40 in the world rankings. Then there’s Batra and Sutirtha Mukherjee rounding
off the quota of four singles players, and the Sharath-Batra pair looking to build on their historic 2018 Asian Games bronze at the Olympic stage. The players are likely to be followed by millions back home who celebrated their achievement three years ago at the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Contrast that to the 2004 Games in Athens, where a 22-year-old Sharath — fresh from winning his maiden national title a year ago — made a quiet entry into his first Olympics as one of only two qualified paddlers (along with Mouma Das).
“When I started off in Athens, I didn’t even realise that I was playing the Olympics for India and what
it actually meant. Sure, going into the Olympics you tell everybody, ‘I want to win an Olympic medal for the country’. But in reality, I knew it was very far-fetched. And nobody expected that from Indian table tennis as well,” says Sharath.
Hitting a low The turn of the previous decade brought with it a steep slide that almost ended Sharath’s career. He failed to qualify for the 2012 London Games, losing to a lower- ranked Slovak in the second round of the world qualifiers. His iron-hold on the domestic scene was also melting when in 2011 Anthony Amalraj beat him in the final before a 19-year-old Soumyajit Ghosh
IOCians Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra will represent India at Tokyo Olympics.
began to bear fruit, for Sharath personally as well as for the sport in India.But first, it was imperative for Sharath to reaffirm his status as India’s best, which he did in 2016 by beating Ghosh in the final to end his six-year wait for another national title. “I needed that for my head,” he says. “To feel, ‘Ok, now I can push on for bigger things.’”
Sharath was now back to his dominant self, domestically breaking Kamlesh Mehta’s 23-year record of eight national titles by defending his title in 2018, which also turned out to be a watershed year for Indian table tennis.
At the 2018 CWG in Gold Coast, India shone glowingly with eight medals across seven events, with Sharath contributing to three of them (team gold, men’s doubles silver, singles bronze). A few months later, at the Asian Gamesin Jakarta, India got two medals, with Sharath playing a key role in winning bronze. “We did very well at the CWG, but more importantly we stood up to the expectations at the Asian Games.”
Earlier, I used to play only
the forehand, and I am still
pretty much a forehand-
dominated player. But now
which wasn’t so good back
then. I had to work really
hard on it
stunned the six-time champion the next year.
“I hit my lowest point there,” Sharath says. “That was the only time I actually contemplated quitting the sport. I was into my 30s, and I thought, ‘Is there any point in carrying on?’” The hunt for that answer led to the transformation of Sharath, the paddler. Like most sports, table tennis was changing with increased use of technology, advent of data and younger pros shaking up the way the game was played. For Sharath, a predominantly forehand player, it meant adding a more solid backhand and the art of a deft touch to his power game.
“Earlier, I used to play only the forehand, and I am still pretty much a forehand-dominated player. But now I have a decent backhand, which wasn’t so good back then. I had to work really hard on it,” he says. “I lost a few years in that struggle, and a lot of confidence.”
Just as he was gradually getting it back, a hamstring injury in 2015 pulled him down, as he spent months recuperating in Germany, where he has been a regular in their prestigious league for around a decade. The injury hampered his preparations for the 2016 Rio Games where he exited in the first round.
“The injury was ill-timed,” Sharath says. “But that’s how it goes. When it comes too easy, then maybe you don’t respect it and value it as much as I do now.”
The upswing again All those months of work and sweat before the injury was, however,
Carrying the group Sharath holds high hopes for Tokyo Olympics where, despite the pandemic-hit preparations, he says the unlikely dream of a table tennis medal is now a realistic shot in mixed doubles. Sharath also has Sathiyan and Batra to share the load of delivering India’s best-ever showing in singles. “Still, somehow, people do look up to me,” he says. “That pressure will always stay, and I think it has become a part of my character and who I am — someone who takes the group along. Over the years I’ve understood how to work with that pressure instead of trying to evade it. And I’m better equipped to handle it now than before.”
In March last year before the pandemic halted sport, Sharath won a Pro Tour title in Oman after 10 years by beating world No. 16 Patrick Franziska. He is currently ranked 32 in the world, by far his highest in the lead-up to any of his Olympics.
“I’m a more complete player now: mentally, physically and psychologically and I expect the best performance from myself now, forget about anyone else expecting from me,” says Sharath.
His mind darts back to the “I wish” phrase. But it quickly glides to the present, and the future.“If I had done what I feel I can do now back in London, maybe it would not have been so prominent because it would still be just Sharath Kamal out there. Now, there’s Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra, Sathiyan and all those promising younger players around us,” he says.
38 | IndianOil NEWS | September 2019
Aruna R Purabia (24477) PS-C
Gujarat State Office
Gulbarga Depot
Jassidh Terminal
Jabalpur Depot
Paradip Refinery
C O
N G
R A
T U
L A
T IO
Hitesh Gupta (82841) Maintenance Manager Gujarat Refinery
Rohit (513651) Senior Sales Officer (Retail) Hisar DO
CH Venkata Rao (23874) Chief Manager (IB) Vizag DO
Subhrangsu Das (20819) General Manager (QC) Easter Regional Office
M AY 2 0 2 1 W I N N E R S
GIFT VOUCHER
Winners will be selected through a Lucky Draw, and 10 lucky winners
will receive FUEL VOUCHERS
HOW TO PARTICIPATE? • Submit your answers on: https://forms.gle/9oiYx1uZenKscSiG9 • Last date to send in your entry – July 7, 2021
Here’s a chance to win attractive prizes! This quiz will reveal if you have read this issue cover-to-cover.
As per the revised target, by which year will India meet its requirement of 20% ethanol blending in petrol?
Which State Office was awarded for the highest number of Retail Outlet commissioning during the MoU Awards Ceremony?
By which year will the Indian Railways turn 100% electric driven?
Who delivered the 14th edition of the Vyakhyan IndianOil LEADTALK series?
Name the world’s first open source CO2 transportation and storage project being carried out jointly by Equinor, Total and Shell.
Which refinery was awarded the best performing Refinery – Category I?
IndianOil aims to have __ CBG plants by 2024.
Which Refinery helped provide access to clean water in Bishnupur?
Where is Peter Smetacek’s Butterfly Research Centre situated?
Which cyclone hit the eastern coast of India in May 2021?

reimagining the future

Documents